Membrane-Coated Iron Oxide (Fe₃O₄) Nanoparticles Encapsulating Dacarbazine Suppress B16F10 Melanoma Cell Activity in vitro and in a Subcutaneous Mouse Model.

Authors

Hao Ding, Dan Li Li, Zi Yi Zhou, Xiang Dong Lai, Nan Yang, Liu Chang Tan, Yuan Gang Lu

Published in

International journal of nanomedicine. Volume 21. Pages 635477. Epub Sep 26, 2026.

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer. Dacarbazine (DTIC) chemotherapy, while historically used, is limited by poor solubility, short half-life, and systemic toxicity. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles have been explored as drug delivery vectors with potential for photothermal conversion and Fenton-like catalytic activity. Cell membrane-camouflaged platforms may offer improved tumor targeting.
A biomimetic nanoplatform (Fe₃O₄PD@CCM) was engineered by encapsulating an Fe₃O₄ core within a DTIC-loaded PLGA-PEG2000 matrix, followed by functionalization with B16F10 cancer cell membranes. Physicochemical properties were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Antitumor effects were assessed in B16F10 melanoma cells and in a subcutaneous syngeneic mouse model (n=4 per group).
Fe₃O₄PD@CCM Nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited a hydrodynamic diameter of ~25-30 nm, sustained DTIC release, and retention of membrane proteins. In vitro, the Fe₃O₄PD@CCM + NIR (Near-infrared irradiation) group showed reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, G2/M phase arrest, and elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels compared to controls. In vivo, Cy5-labeled Fe₃O₄PD@CCM NPs showed preferential fluorescence accumulation in tumors relative to non-coated NPs, with whole-body fluorescence diminishing within 24 h. In a 12-day efficacy study, Fe₃O₄PD@CCM + NIR treatment was associated with reduced tumor growth compared to control groups. Acute biosafety assessment at 24 h post-injection of a single high dose (200 mg/kg) revealed no overt abnormalities in the evaluated hematological, biochemical, or histopathological parameters.
Fe₃O₄PD@CCM NPs combined with NIR suppressed B16F10 cell activity in vitro and subcutaneous tumor growth in a preliminary mouse model. These findings represent a proof-of-concept demonstration. Further studies-including detailed mechanistic validation, long-term toxicity assessment, and evaluation in more clinically relevant models-are required to assess the translational potential of this platform.

PMID:
42819462
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Oct 2026.

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