10.57647/pibm-2025-17593

Encapsulation of IR783 in UiO-66 MOFs for Improved Photodynamic Efficacy Against Breast Cancer Cells

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  • Sinem Şahinoğlu 1,
  • Gülşah Şanlı-Mohamed*1,
  1. Department of Chemistry, Science Faculty, İzmir Institute of Technology, 35430, İzmir, Türkiye

Copyright (c) 2025 Sinem Şahinoğlu , Gülşah Şanlı-Mohamed (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Şahinoğlu , S., & Şanlı-Mohamed, G. (2025). Encapsulation of IR783 in UiO-66 MOFs for Improved Photodynamic Efficacy Against Breast Cancer Cells. Progress in Biomaterials. https://doi.org/10.57647/pibm-2025-17593
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Abstract

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic strategies beyond conventional modalities. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a non-invasive approach that leverages light-activated photosensitizers to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated tumor cell death. IR783, a near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) heptamethine cyanine dye, has shown promise as a theranostic agent in cancer therapy due to its tumor-selective uptake and pro-apoptotic effects. However, its clinical potential is hindered by poor stability, rapid dissociation in polar environments, low quantum yield, and suboptimal tumor accumulation. In this study, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform by encapsulating IR783 into UiO-66, a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), to enhance the delivery and photodynamic performance of the dye (IR783@UiO-66). The system was structurally characterized, and its biocompatibility and drug release profiles were evaluated. In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the cytotoxic and phototoxic effects of IR783, UiO-66, and IR783@UiO-66 on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A), under LED irradiation at varying light intensities (18–144 J/cm²) and exposure durations (7.5–60 min). The results demonstrated that IR783@UiO-66 significantly reduced cancer cell viability in a dose- and light-dependent manner while sparing normal cells. Free IR783 showed slightly higher phototoxicity, attributed to differences in release kinetics and loading efficiency. UiO-66 alone exhibited negligible cytotoxicity under irradiation, confirming its safety profile. This study highlights the potential of UiO-66 as a promising nanocarrier for enhancing IR783-mediated PDT, offering a synergistic strategy for targeted and efficient breast cancer therapy.

Keywords

  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT),
  • Breast cancer,
  • IR783,
  • UiO-66,
  • Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)
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