Superior Photodynamic Therapy of Colon Cancer Cells by Selenophene-BODIPY-Loaded Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Development of targeted nanoparticles as carriers to deliver photosensitizers to cancer cells is highly beneficial for ensuring the expected therapeutic outcome of photodynamic therapy. Herein, polyacrylic acid (PAA) coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), conjugated with endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting Cetuximab (Cet) were loaded with a BODIPY-based (BOD-Se-I) photosensitizer (Cet-PAA@SPION/BOD-Se-I) to achieve enhanced and selective photodynamic therapy on colon cancer cells. In vitro studies showed that Cet-PAA@SPION/BOD-Se-I improved phototoxicity dramatically compared to free BOD-Se-I on the HT29 cell line due to high uptake of the photosensitizer via endothelial growth factor receptor. Most importantly, the developed nano-agent completely eliminated the phototoxicity of BOD-Se-I on the healthy L929 cell line.