Open Access Article
Sajjad Omidiana,
Masoumeh Haghbin Nazarpak
*b,
Zohreh Bagher*cd and
Fathollah Moztarzadeha
aBiomaterials Group, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering (Center of Excellence), Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
bNew Technologies Research Center (NTRC), Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran. E-mail: haghbin@aut.ac.ir
cENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, the Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
dDepartment of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: Bagher.z@iums.ac.ir
First published on 3rd June 2025
This study explores the multifunctional application of vanadium ferrite-doped mesoporous bioactive glass-ceramics (MBGCs), presenting a novel approach to synergistically integrate chemohyperthermia and controlled cisplatin delivery in cancer treatment. Using the sol–gel method, MBGC formulations were developed, which VF0510 (a formulation containing 5 mol% V2O5 and 10 mol% Fe2O3) identified as the optimal composition due to its superior magnetic properties, bioactivity, and controlled drug delivery capabilities. The previously established mesoporous architecture of VF0510, validated in our earlier study, enabled effective cisplatin loading and sustained release in this work. Calorimetric analyses revealed that VF0510 achieved a controlled therapeutic temperature of 41.5 °C under an alternating magnetic field, meeting the optimal range for hyperthermia-based treatments. Drug loading studies demonstrated that hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-coated VF0510 provided a sustained release of 68% over 48 hours, significantly reducing the burst effect while maintaining prolonged therapeutic action. In vitro assays using MG63 osteosarcoma cells demonstrated statistically significant results (P < 0.01), with cisplatin-loaded VF0510 reducing cell viability by 45% within 48 hours through apoptosis induction, as confirmed by flow cytometry. This dual-modality platform integrates localized magnetic hyperthermia with controlled chemotherapy delivery, addressing challenges such as systemic toxicity and drug resistance. The results highlight the critical role of vanadium ferrite in enhancing magnetic response and bioactivity, while the HPC coating ensures sustained and efficient drug release. Future research should optimize the thermoresponsive properties of polymer coatings and validate findings through in vivo models, paving the way for safer, more effective cancer therapies combining hyperthermia and chemotherapy.
Magnetic hyperthermia utilizes alternating current (AC) magnetic fields to generate localized heat within magnetic nanoparticles, selectively raising tumor temperatures to 40–43 °C, a range that induces cancer cell apoptosis while sparing healthy tissues.1,4 The heating mechanism primarily involves Néel relaxation (realignment of magnetic moments) and Brownian motion (physical rotation of particles), both of which contribute to thermal energy dissipation.1,2,4,5 This localized heating enhances cell membrane permeability, facilitating increased uptake of chemotherapeutic agents and producing a synergistic effect when combined with drug delivery.6 Uniform thermal distribution is essential for optimizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing probable damage to healthy tissues, necessitating precise control over nanoparticle concentration, distribution, and applied AC magnetic field parameters.7
Chemohyperthermia, which combines chemotherapy with hyperthermia, has emerged as a highly effective strategy in cancer treatment, enhancing the cytotoxic effects of drugs such as cisplatin by increasing tumor cell membrane permeability and disrupting cellular repair mechanisms.8,9 In clinical practice, chemohyperthermia has demonstrated significant success in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), leading to reduced recurrence rates and improved patient outcomes.10,11 Despite its effectiveness, systemic toxicity and drug resistance remain major challenges in cisplatin therapy, necessitating innovative delivery systems that ensure targeted release while minimizing side effects.
Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, remains the cornerstone in treating various cancers, including high-grade osteosarcoma.12,13 However, its clinical use is limited by challenges such as systemic toxicity and the development of drug resistance.14–18 Encapsulation of cisplatin within mesoporous bioactive glass-ceramics (MBGCs) provides a targeted delivery approach, reducing systemic exposure while ensuring higher drug concentrations at tumor sites.19 The combination of MBGCs with magnetic hyperthermia presents a dual-modality approach that leverages the benefits of localized heating and sustained drug release to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Bioactive glass-ceramics have gained considerable attention in biomedical research due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and tunable physicochemical properties, making them ideal candidates for cancer therapy applications.20–23 Recent advancements have focused on doping magnetic components such as vanadium ferrite (VF) to enhance magnetic properties, making them suitable for hyperthermia applications while enabling high drug loading capacity and controlled release.24–27 The combination of bioactive glass-ceramics and vanadium ferrite enhances their heating efficiency under an AC magnetic field, providing an effective solution for localized hyperthermia and drug delivery.
Moreover, incorporating thermosensitive polymer coatings such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) onto MBGCs can further refine drug release profiles, minimizing the initial burst effect and enabling a sustained release over time.28 Such coatings enhance physical and chemical interactions between the drug and the porous structure of the glass-ceramic matrix, ensuring better drug retention and controlled diffusion.29 This approach provides a more predictable drug release pattern, crucial for effective cancer therapy.30
Previous research has demonstrated the bioactivity and magnetic properties of MBGCs;24 however, challenges remain in achieving uniform heating and sustained drug release, both of which are crucial for clinical applications.31 Magnetic hyperthermia combined with targeted cisplatin delivery represents a promising strategy for improving cancer treatment by overcoming drug resistance, minimizing systemic toxicity, and enhancing therapeutic precision. While magnetic nanoparticles have shown significant potential in hyperthermia applications, limitations such as non-uniform heating and uncontrolled drug diffusion hinder their clinical translation.32,33 The incorporation of vanadium ferrite into MBGCs addresses these challenges by enhancing magnetic responsiveness, improving drug encapsulation, and enabling controlled release.
Building upon our previous findings on the bioactivity of VF-doped glass-ceramics,24 this study further evaluates the multifunctional properties of the optimized VF0510 composition, which refers to a sample doped with 5 mol% vanadium oxide (V2O5) and 10 mol% iron oxide (Fe2O3). We systematically investigate its magnetic heating efficiency, heat generation capacity, and drug delivery performance. Additionally, we assess its cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects in MG63 osteosarcoma cells to determine its suitability for combined hyperthermia and chemotherapy applications. Our results provide a comprehensive assessment of VF0510's potential for cancer treatment and contribute to bridging the gap between preclinical research and clinical translation. Future research should focus on optimizing synthesis parameters, evaluating long-term material stability, and conducting in vivo studies to validate its clinical applicability.
The following high-purity precursors were used in the synthesis process:
• Tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS, Sigma-Aldrich, >99%) as silicon source,
• Triethyl phosphate (TEP, Sigma-Aldrich, >99%) as phosphorus source,
• Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, Merck, >99%) as calcium source,
• Iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, Sigma-Aldrich, >98%),
• Vanadyl sulfate hydrate (VOSO4·xH2O, Sigma-Aldrich, >97%),
• Deionized water, and
• Nitric acid (HNO3, Sigma-Aldrich, 70%, 1.5 M solution).
All materials were handled under controlled conditions to ensure homogeneity. The resulting sol was aged at 37 °C for 7 days to allow polycondensation and gel formation. The gel, along with its supernatant containing soluble by-products, was retained to preserve compositional integrity. Drying was carried out sequentially at 70 °C for 24 hours and 140 °C for 48 hours. Final thermal stabilization was performed by heating the dried gel to 800 °C at a rate of 5 °C min−1, holding at this temperature for 2 hours to induce crystallization, and then allowing it to cool gradually under ambient conditions. The final MBGC powders were classified into five groups, with compositions detailed in Table 1.
| Sample | VF00 | VF0505 | VF1010 | VF1005 | VF0510 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CaO | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| P2O5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| SiO2 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 45 | 45 |
| V2O5 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Fe2O3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 10 |
000 Oe.
![]() | (1) |
| Percentage of viable cells = (A/B) × 100, | (2) |
000 events were recorded per sample, and cell populations were categorized into live, early apoptotic, late apoptotic, and necrotic cells.
| Sample code | Remanence magnetization Mr (emu g−1) | Coercivity Hc (Oe) | Saturation magnetization Ms (emu g−1) | Interpolated hysteresis area (erg g−1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VF00 | 0.0065 | 25 | 0.0227 | 5.47 |
| VF0505 | 0.0087 | 75 | 0.1147 | 74.16 |
| VF1010 | 0.0155 | 250 | 0.2216 | 524.53 |
| VF1005 | 0.0090 | 50 | 0.0955 | 103.26 |
| VF0510 | 0.0207 | 350 | 0.2236 | 366.44 |
As the concentration of magnetic dopants (vanadium and iron oxides) increased in the glass-ceramic matrix, the area enclosed by the hysteresis loop also increased, indicating enhanced energy dissipation—an essential property for efficient magnetic hyperthermia. The VF1010 sample exhibited the largest hysteresis loop area due to its high iron oxide content, aligning with prior findings.36–38 The control sample (VF00) showed the weakest response, while VF0505 demonstrated a 15-fold increase in hysteresis area, and VF1010 achieved a 100-fold increase, marking it as the most magnetically responsive sample. VF0510, although less active than VF1010, ranked second.
The addition of 5% vanadium and iron oxides variably enhanced the hysteresis loop area. For instance, 5% vanadium oxide in VF1005 increased the area by 40% compared to VF0505, while 5% iron oxide in VF0510 caused a fourfold increase to 366.44 erg g−1. These results emphasize the stronger influence of iron oxide over vanadium oxide in improving magnetic properties, crucial for high-performance applications.
![]() | (3) |
Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) results revealed the significant impact of iron and vanadium doping on heat generation. Samples exhibited temperature increases of approximately 15 °C (VF0505), 22 °C (VF1005), 68 °C (VF0510), and 83 °C (VF1010) after 720 seconds in an alternating magnetic field. Notably, VF1010 and VF0510 reached the therapeutic range of 41–43 °C, ideal for hyperthermia-based cancer treatments.
Comparative analysis showed that 5% vanadium oxide in VF1005 caused a modest 7 °C rise, while 5% iron oxide in VF0510 resulted in a significant 53 °C increase. Combining vanadium and iron oxides in VF1010 produced a synergistic temperature increase of 68 °C, emphasizing iron oxide's dominant role in heat generation. Optimizing iron oxide content is thus critical for desirable magnetic and thermal properties. Calorimetric tests showed temperature increases of 11 °C (VF0505), 23 °C (VF1005), 41.5 °C (VF0510), and 51.5 °C (VF1010). These experimental values, lower than theoretical predictions, reflect non-ideal experimental conditions.42–44 Despite discrepancies, VF1010 and VF0510 demonstrated rapid, controlled temperature rises suitable for hyperthermia.
The findings underscore that iron oxide alone has a stronger effect on heat generation than vanadium oxide, but their combination exhibits a synergistic effect, significantly enhancing the heating capabilities of bioactive glass-ceramics for targeted thermal therapy in cancer treatment.
Fig. 3 depicts the heat generation profiles of glass-ceramic samples under an alternating magnetic field, showing a non-linear temperature rise due to heat dissipation. Samples VF1010 and VF0510 demonstrated the highest heat production, maintaining controlled therapeutic heating without exceeding safe thresholds, highlighting their clinical potential. Further research should optimize thermal stability under continuous magnetic exposure and assess performance in biological environments. Integrating these materials into multifunctional chemohyperthermia platforms could advance targeted and effective cancer therapies.
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| Fig. 3 Calorimetric test results for magnetic bioactive glass-ceramic samples VF0505, VF1010, VF1005, and VF0510. | ||
The XRD patterns of all prepared MBGC formulations were comprehensively reported in our previous study.24 Key diffraction peaks identified corresponded to wollastonite (CaSiO3 (w)), hydroxyapatite (H), and coulsonite (FeV2O4 (C)), with the specific crystalline phases varying according to the Fe and V dopant ratios. These crystalline signatures confirmed partial crystallization of the glass matrix following thermal treatment and aligned with the materials' bioactivity and magnetic functionality. For brevity, only the XRD pattern of the optimized VF0510 sample is shown in Fig. 4(a), and readers are referred to our prior publication for full comparative XRD profiles.
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| Fig. 4 (a) X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the VF0510 sample; (b) SEM micrograph of VF0510 powder. | ||
Similarly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was previously used to analyze the surface morphology and microstructure of all MBGC compositions.24 Here, we present the SEM image of VF0510 as a representative sample (Fig. 4(b)). The observed microstructure reveals aggregated, irregularly shaped particles in the submicron range. These features are consistent with the material's mesoporous structure and partially crystalline nature, as also supported by XRD and BET analyses.24
The Archimedes method was employed to estimate the bulk density of the thermally stabilized MBGC samples. Among the synthesized compositions, the VF0510 sample—selected as the optimal formulation—exhibited a bulk density of 2.74 ± 0.03 g cm−3, consistent with the incorporation of high atomic weight dopants (Fe2O3 and V2O5) into the silicate network. This value aligns well with previous reports for Fe- and V-doped sol–gel-derived bioactive glass-ceramics, which typically show bulk densities in the range of 2.6–3.1 g cm−3.45–47 The relatively high density further supports the formation of partially crystalline phases (e.g., wollastonite and coulsonite), as corroborated by XRD analysis. This enhanced density is indicative of effective network densification during thermal treatment and may contribute to the mechanical integrity and bioactivity of the final material.
Surface modification of bioactive glass-ceramic with a silane coupling agent significantly altered FTIR spectra. Prior to silanization, bands corresponding to silanol groups (Si–OH) were observed at 3200–3600 cm−1 (O–H stretching) and 900–1000 cm−1 (Si–OH bending); also a broad band at ∼1640 cm−1 region was attributed to O–H bending vibrations. Post-modification, the asymmetric stretching band of Si–O–Si at 1000–1200 cm−1 intensified, with a bending band at ∼800 cm−1 confirming siloxane bond formation. Enhanced bands at 1460 cm−1 indicated amine groups from the silane agent, while stretching bands at 2800–3000 cm−1 signified alkyl groups from the propyl silane chain. These spectral changes confirm successful silanization of the bioactive glass-ceramic particles. While FTIR identifies functional groups introduced by the silane agent, further studies are required to comprehensively assess substrate interactions and binding mechanisms. These results establish a foundation for exploring the modified glass-ceramics' functional and structural properties in advanced applications.48,49
:
1 water-DMSO mixture with serial dilutions, identified cisplatin's maximum absorption at 263 nm, enabling quantification of its release from both formulations. Cisplatin encapsulation was confirmed, and drug release studies were conducted. At intervals, supernatants were analyzed via UV-vis. Absorbance values plotted using the Beer–Lambert law generated a calibration curve, confirming high quantification sensitivity (R2 = 0.9956). This ensured reliable and precise drug quantification throughout the study.50Cisplatin release from MBG-Cis and MBG-Cis-HPC was studied at intervals up to 240 hours in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); in which samples heated to 43 °C for 720 seconds.51,52 The release behavior indicated that an increase in temperature of magnetic nanoparticles up to 43 °C correlated with enhanced cisplatin release, suggesting a temperature-dependent mechanism.53 Also, a semi-permeable cellulose acetate membrane (12–14 kDa) prevented nanoparticle migration. The release profiles for both formulations are shown in Fig. 6.
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| Fig. 6 Cisplatin release profiles from MBG-Cis and MBG-Cis-HPC at 1, 3, 6, 24, 48, 96, 148, and 240 hours. | ||
The MBG-Cis formulation, with cisplatin loaded into mesopores, exhibited a faster release rate due to its high surface area and porosity. In contrast, MBG-Cis-HPC demonstrated controlled, sustained release. The HPC coating acts as a diffusion barrier, reducing initial burst release and providing gradual drug release over time. Its hydrophilic nature causes swelling upon water contact, restricting cisplatin diffusion.30
Drug release in MBG-Cis is governed by diffusion through the mesopores, while MBG-Cis-HPC follows a dual release mechanism involving both the mesopores and polymer matrix. These results in lower cumulative release for MBG-Cis-HPC compared to MBG-Cis. Although HPC's thermosensitive properties were expected to cause a higher burst release, none was observed, potentially due to its need for longer exposure or higher temperatures for full release.30 The HPC coating forms a gel-like barrier under heat, slowing release and creating a complex diffusion path. Strong interactions between the drug and polymer could further delay cisplatin release, even at elevated temperatures.54 Experimental conditions like temperature control and exposure time may also influence release profiles, causing deviations.55,56
These findings highlight MBG-Cis as a fast-release carrier, while MBG-Cis-HPC offers controlled, sustained release, making it ideal for cancer therapies requiring precise drug dosing. Further optimization of polymer coatings could improve thermoresponsive behavior and refine drug release kinetics for clinical applications in drug delivery and hyperthermia-assisted treatments.
| Release model | Model equation | R2 value | Release mechanism analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero-order | y = 0.2728x + 46.846 | 0.4623 | Lower fit with experimental data |
| First-order | y = −0.0108x + 3.7191 | 0.6311 | Moderate fit |
| Higuchi | y = 5.245x + 32.407 | 0.7047 | Best fit with experimental data |
| Korsmeyer-Peppas | y = 0.4831x + 2.3946 | 0.498 | Lower fit with experimental data |
Fig. 7(a–d) show the linear fitting plots for the zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, respectively, based on the drug release data for the MBG-Cis sample. Among these, the Higuchi model (Fig. 5(c)) exhibited the highest R2 value (0.7047), indicating diffusion-controlled drug release through the mesoporous matrix as the dominant mechanism. The visual fitting corroborates the quantitative analysis summarized in Table 3.
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| Fig. 7 Linear fitting of MBG-Cis drug release data based on: (a) Zero-order model, (b) First-order model, (c) Higuchi model, (d) Korsmeyer-Peppas model. | ||
| Release model | Model equation | R2 value | Release mechanism analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero-order | y = 0.3848x + 23.588 | 0.6409 | Lower fit with experimental data |
| First-order | y = −0.211x + 5.1367 | 0.9676 | Best fit with experimental data |
| Higuchi | y = 5.8518x + 11.14 | 0.8655 | Relatively high fit |
| Korsmeyer-Peppas | y = 0.6258x + 1.6192 | 0.718 | Lower fit with experimental data |
Fig. 8(a–d) presents the linear fitting plots for the zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, respectively, based on the drug release data for the MBG-Cis-HPC formulation. Among these models, the first-order model (Fig. 8(b)) yielded the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9676), indicating that the release follows a concentration-dependent mechanism, characteristic of systems where drug diffusion occurs from a matrix with a polymeric barrier. These visual findings are consistent with the quantitative data summarized in Table 4.
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| Fig. 8 Linear fitting of MBG-Cis-HPC drug release data based on: (a) Zero-order model, (b) First-order model, (c) Higuchi model, (d) Korsmeyer-Peppas model. | ||
The MBG-Cis-HPC system demonstrated a promising controlled and sustained release platform. Two cisplatin-loaded magnetic bioactive glass-ceramic structures were studied, with drug release governed by diffusion through mesoporous architecture. MBG-Cis-HPC showed a superior first-order fit (R2 = 0.97), ensuring minimal burst release and sustained exponential release. Conversely, MBG-Cis aligned better with the Higuchi model (R2 = 0.71), indicating diffusion-dominated release through the porous matrix.
The hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) coating in MBG-Cis-HPC enhances release control, reduces initial burst release, improves sustained release, and optimizes the system for prolonged therapeutic applications by regulating drug diffusion (Table 5).
| Structure | Loading efficiency (%) | Best-fit model | R2 value | Primary release mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBG-Cis-HPC | 79 | First-order | 0.97 | Controlled diffusion through pores and HPC coating |
| MBG-Cis | 64 | Higuchi | 0.71 | Diffusion through the solid porous matrix |
A representative image of the VF0510 glass-ceramic sample at different stages—before drug loading, after cisplatin incorporation, and following HPC coating—is provided in Fig. 9. This visual confirmation supports the preparation pathway and distinguishes the appearance of each functionalized formulation.
(1) Magnetic bioactive glass-ceramic (MBG),
(2) Cisplatin-loaded glass-ceramic (MBG-Cis),
(3) Cisplatin-loaded, hydroxypropyl cellulose-coated glass-ceramic (MBG-Cis-HPC).
MG63 osteosarcoma cells were cultured on these samples, with tissue culture plastic (TCP) serving as the control.
Fig. 10 presents MG63 cell viability for MBG, MBG-Cis, and MBG-Cis-HPC, highlighting a statistically significant reduction in MBG-Cis compared to the other groups (P < 0.01). Table 6 quantifies the percentage of viable cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours.
| Sample code | Cell viability (%) after 24 hours | Cell viability (%) after 48 hours | Cell viability (%) after 72 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBG | 86.37 ± 0.34 | 82.69 ± 1.86 | 79.34 ± 0.43 |
| MBG-Cis | 40.72 ± 1.29 | 28.15 ± 0.57 | 25.46 ± 2.16 |
| MBG-Cis-HPC | 86.92 ± 0.41 | 84.91 ± 1.83 | 77.78 ± 2.96 |
MBG and MBG-Cis-HPC maintained high cell viability above 75% at 72 hours, demonstrating favorable biocompatibility. In contrast, MBG-Cis exhibited a sharp decline in viability, reaching 25.46% at 72 hours, indicating significant cytotoxicity due to rapid cisplatin release (P < 0.01 vs. MBG and MBG-Cis-HPC). The presence of the HPC coating in MBG-Cis-HPC mitigated this effect, leading to a higher viability of 77.78% at 72 hours through sustained drug release (P < 0.05 vs. MBG-Cis). These findings highlight the critical role of polymer coatings in regulating drug release, reducing burst toxicity, and enhancing biocompatibility. The HPC layer acted as a diffusion barrier, effectively preventing excessive initial drug exposure while maintaining therapeutic efficacy over the time.7,59–63
The controlled release of cisplatin in MBG-Cis-HPC reduces its toxicity toward healthy cells, making it a promising candidate for localized chemotherapy. However, further dose-response studies and in vivo evaluations are required to confirm its potential for biomedical applications. Future research should focus on optimizing polymer coatings to refine release kinetics and enhance therapeutic precision. Additionally, further biocompatibility assays, such as live/dead staining and apoptosis detection, are necessary to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the material's safety. Long-term stability studies and in vivo efficacy evaluations in tumor models will be crucial for validating its potential for clinical translation.
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| Fig. 11 Flow cytometry analysis of MG63 cells treated with (a) TCP, (b) MBG, (c) MBG-Cis, (d) MBG-Cis-HPC and (e) released Cis for 24 hours. | ||
Fig. 11(b) emphasizes the high biocompatibility of the MBG sample, showing relatively elevated cell viability compared to the control. While MBG supports cell viability, it lacks anticancer benefits without a therapeutic agent like cisplatin. Fig. 11(c) demonstrates the MBG-Cis sample's high early and late apoptosis levels, indicating enhanced anticancer activity due to the synergy between MBG's magnetic properties and cisplatin's efficacy.64 These properties enable targeted cisplatin delivery, reducing systemic toxicity.14–16 Optimizing drug release is essential to minimize risks from uncontrolled cisplatin release.17,18,65
Fig. 11(d) shows the MBG-Cis-HPC sample achieving a sustained cisplatin release, resulting in balanced apoptosis and necrosis induction. The hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) coating regulates release, reduces toxicity, and enhances cisplatin stability and bioavailability. Fig. 11(e) reveals the high cytotoxicity of released cisplatin, with substantial late apoptosis and minimal viable cells. Although effective in inducing apoptosis, uncontrolled release poses risks like nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity, highlighting the need for controlled mechanisms.18,66 Table 7 summarizes apoptosis, necrosis, and live cell proportions for all samples.
| Sample code | Q1 (necrosis) | Q2 (late apoptosis) | Q3 (early apoptosis) | Q4 (live cells) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBG | 8.53 | 16.9 | 22.2 | 52.4 |
| MBG-Cis | 3.35 | 19.5 | 37.5 | 39.7 |
| MBG-Cis-HPC | 12.7 | 24.8 | 14.7 | 47.8 |
| Released Cis | 0.475 | 84.0 | 13.8 | 1.74 |
| TCP | 4.72 | 11.4 | 11.9 | 72.0 |
The TCP control group showed the highest percentage of live cells, confirming minimal cytotoxicity. The MBG sample demonstrated a 27% reduction in viable cells compared to the control, maintaining good biocompatibility. The MBG-Cis sample exhibited a 45% reduction in viability due to cisplatin's cytotoxicity; while the MBG-Cis-HPC formulation maintained ∼12% higher viability, emphasizing the role of HPC in reducing cisplatin-induced toxicity.30 The Released Cis sample had the lowest cell viability (97.5% reduction), reflecting the adverse effects of uncontrolled cisplatin release. However, the MBG-Cis-HPC system's controlled release resulted in higher viability compared to MBG-Cis, supporting the benefits of thermosensitive HPC coatings in balancing toxicity and efficacy.67–69 The MBG-Cis-HPC sample exhibited the highest necrosis, possibly due to delayed cisplatin release, although the necrosis was lower than apoptosis (39.5%) and live cells (47.8%). MBG showed moderate necrosis due to its magnetic components and partial vanadium and iron release.52,70,71 The MBG-Cis sample exhibited lower necrosis than the control, highlighting cisplatin's ability to induce apoptosis without significant necrosis. Released Cis showed minimal necrosis but high late apoptosis, confirming cisplatin's potent anticancer effects and underscoring the risks of uncontrolled release.72,73
The MBG-Cis-HPC sample demonstrated increased necrosis and late apoptosis but moderate early apoptosis, suggesting the polymer coating influences release kinetics and cell death modes. Promoting apoptosis over necrosis minimizes inflammation, improving clinical outcomes.74,75 Released Cis exhibited 97.8% total apoptosis, confirming its efficacy in inducing cancer cell death, followed by MBG-Cis with 57%, further validating cisplatin's apoptotic potential.
Flow cytometry results revealed that the MBG-Cis sample exhibited significantly elevated levels of early apoptosis (37.5%) compared to late apoptosis (19.5%), indicating rapid induction of programmed cell death due to cisplatin release. Conversely, the MBG-Cis-HPC sample showed a more balanced apoptotic response, with early apoptosis at 14.7% and late apoptosis at 24.8%, reflecting controlled cisplatin release facilitated by the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) coating. These differences highlight the polymer coating's critical role in modulating drug release kinetics and its therapeutic efficacy.
Temperature significantly impacts drug release kinetics and cell behavior. Elevated temperatures enhance drug diffusion from bioactive glass-ceramics, leading to faster, less controlled release, especially in thermosensitive polymer systems. Thermal exposure can also alter cell surface protein functionality, impacting cell–material interactions.76,77 While this study did not directly investigate temperature's effects on drug release and cell response, it remains critical for future research to optimize the system for biomedical applications.78 These findings underline the importance of integrating controlled release mechanisms to maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Calorimetric analysis demonstrated VF0510's ability to maintain a stable temperature range of 41–43 °C, making it suitable for hyperthermia applications. Cytotoxicity studies on MG63 osteosarcoma cells indicated a 45% reduction in viability within 48 hours, while the HPC-coated formulation improved biocompatibility by mitigating localized toxicity and sustaining therapeutic action. These results underscore the potential of the VF0510-HPC system in enhancing drug efficacy and reducing side effects.
The integration of magnetic hyperthermia with controlled drug delivery presents a promising approach for targeted cancer therapy. Future research should focus on optimizing thermoresponsive polymer coatings, conducting in vivo evaluations, and exploring synergistic effects with complementary treatments such as immunotherapy and photothermal therapy.
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