What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to develop a multi-functional nanoparticle system for controlled release of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer treatment.

February 11, 2026Open Access

Theranostic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Controlled Oxaliplatin Release Under Simulated Circulation and Cytotoxicity Evaluation in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines

MMMasome MoeniUniversity of Leeds MEMohamed EdokaliUniversity of Leeds ABAlistair BacchettiUniversity of Leeds

Key Points

The research aims to develop a multi-functional nanoparticle system for controlled release of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer treatment.
Engineered iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2) conjugated with folic acid for targeting.
Simulated circulation flow system to assess drug release kinetics.
Quantitative ICP-OES and HPLC-UV techniques to evaluate drug loading and release.
MRI relaxometry to confirm imaging capabilities of the nanoparticles.
RT-qPCR analysis of folate receptor expression in colorectal cancer cell lines.
Achieved ~29.73% oxaliplatin loading in FA-conjugated nanoparticles compared to ~10.3% in controls.
Under dynamic flow, approximately 92% drug release at pH 5 was observed with enhanced magnetic guidance.
Strong MRI contrast confirmed the nanoparticles' theranostic potential.
Variable expression of folate receptor alpha across different cell lines was noted, with Caco2 cells showing the highest levels.
FA-functionalized nanoparticles selectively targeted FOLR1-positive cancer cells.

Abstract

Oxaliplatin (OXA) is a chemotherapeutic agent that suffers from poor pharmacokinetics and off-target toxicity. To enable controlled OXA release, we engineered a multi-functional iron oxide nanoparticle (IONPs) drug delivery system, based on pH-responsive mesoporous Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2) nanoparticles (NPs), conjugated with folic acid (FA) for receptor-mediated targeting and guided by a magnetic robot platform (MRP) under simulated physiologically relevant dynamic circulation/flow system. For FA-conjugated NPs (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/FA), ~29.73% OXA loading was achieved compared to ~10.3% in controls (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/OXA), quantified by ICP-OES. Under dynamic circulation flow over 48 h, MRP enhanced pH-responsive OXA release (quantified by HPLC-UV), reaching ~92% and 88% (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/OXA and Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/FA, respectively) at pH 5, versus 47% and 40% (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/OXA and Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/FA, respectively) without MRP, demonstrating precise control in acidic tumor-mimicking conditions. MRI relaxometry exhibited strong T2-weighted contrast (T2 = 0.015 s at 50 μg/mL for Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/FA/OXA), confirming theranostic potential. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) studies revealed variable Folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) expression among colorectal cancer cell lines (Caco2, SW620, SW48, and T84), with Caco2 demonstrating high levels. MTT assays indicated selective targeting of FOLR1-positive cells by FA-functionalized NPs (Fe3O4@MSN-NH2/FA). This multi-functional drug delivery system integrates targeted delivery, MRP release, and real-time imaging, offering a promising technique for precision oncology.

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