Functionalized nanoparticles enable tracking the rapid entry and release of doxorubicin in human pancreatic cancer cells

Efficient drug delivery is critical to therapy. Using electron microscopy, X-ray, and light microscopy, we have characterized functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, and determined their ability for rapid entry and release of the cancer drug doxorubicin in human pancreatic cancer cells. Dextran-coated SPIO nanoparticle ferrofluid, functionalized with the red-autofluorescing doxorubicin and the green-fluorescent dye fluorescein isothiocyanate as a reporter, enables tracking the intracellular nanoparticle transport and drug release. This engineered nanoparticle enables a >20 fold rapid entry and release of the drug in human pancreatic cancer cells, holding therapeutic potential as an advanced drug delivery and imaging platform. The low extracellular pH of most tumors precluding the entry of a number of weakly basic drugs such as doxorubicin, conferring drug resistance, can now be overcome.