Magnetic spinel ferrite nanoparticles (MSF-NPs) are potential candidates for biomedical applications, especially in cancer diagnosis and therapy due to their excellent physiochemical and magnetic properties. In the current study, MSF-NPs were fabricated by sol-gel auto combustion method. The crystal structure and surface morphology were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties were studied by VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer). As increasing Gd3+ concentration, the saturation magnetization values decreased from (17.8-2.3) emu/g, while the coercivity decreased from (499-133) Oe at room temperature. Finally, the fabricated MSF-NPs were tested against anticancer activity by MTT assay. The IC50 = 21.27 μg/mL value was observed, showing the strong antiproliferative activity of these nanoparticles. These results suggested that the obtained MSF-NPs would be useful for remote-controlled hyperthermia therapy for cancer treatment and MRI application due to their excellent magnetic properties. These distinct properties make MSF-NPs most suitable for cancer treatment and bright Contrast Agents (T1-MRI).

This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and assessment of the synergistic effect of 2,2,6,6, tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO)-coated titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO₂ NRs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Firstly, TiO₂ NRs were synthesized by the sol–gel technique. Then, TEMPO was grafted on TiO₂ NRs with the aid of oxoammonium salts. Next, the final product was characterized by applying manifold characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction was used to perform crystallographic analysis; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to conduct morphological analysis; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectra were recorded to perform molecular fingerprint analysis. Furthermore, experimental and empirical modeling was performed to confirm the suitability of as-prepared samples for PDT applications using (MCF-7 cell line) Human Breast Cancer cell line. Our results revealed that bare TiO₂ NRs did not exhibit a significant response for therapeutic applications compared to TEMPO-conjugated TiO₂ NRs in the dark; however, they exhibited a prominent response for the PDT application under UV-A light. Therefore, it is concluded that TEMPO-coated TiO₂ NRs shows the synergistic response for therapeutic approach under UV-A light irradiation. In addition, TEMPO capped TiO2 nanorods not only overcome the multidrug resistance (MDR) hindrance but also exhibit excellent response for cancer cell (MCF-7 cells) treatment only under UV light irradiation via PDT. It is expected that the proposed TiO₂ NRs + TEMPO nanocomposite, which is suitable for PDT treatment, may be essential for photodynamic therapy.

Our study demonstrated the biological changes produced in the Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell line triggered by the photochemical reaction between PHOTOGEM® (photosensitizing agent) and He-Ne laser light (wavelength = 632.8 nm of red light). The basic parameters of photodynamic therapy were optimized to study photosensitizer localization/uptake, PHOTOGEM® absorption spectra, cytotoxic effects, phototoxic effects, and morphological changes in the RD cell line. The experiment included three steps. First, spectrometric measurements were obtained to optimize the absorbance and optimal density of PHOTOGEM® in the experimental biological model (RD cell line). A neutral red assay was used to estimate the loss of cellular viability. Second, the RD cell line containing PHOTOGEM® was irradiated with laser light (dose up to 100 J/cm²). In addition, a non-fluorescent compound was used to determine the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species. The treated cells were examined and photographed. The optical density of the PHOTOGEM®-exposed RD cell line was insignificant after 0–2 h but increased significantly after 20 and 24 h. A photosensitizer concentration of 120 μg/ml and a red He-Ne laser dose of 100 J/cm² having wavelength 632.8 nm produced the maximum phototoxic effect in the RD cell line. The cell viability of the PHOTOGEM®-labeled RD cells decreased to 65% in the absence of the laser dose, but there was significant cell viability loss under suitable laser exposure (100 J/cm²).