Injectable Chitosan/Gelatin-Based Microparticles Generated by Microfluidic Systems for Synergic Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy Against Breast Cancer Publisher



Zaker MA¹ ; Ostovar S² ; Bazargan V¹ ; Salehi Z² ; Akrami M³ ; Marengo M⁴
Source: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology Published:2025

Abstract

Breast cancer is a prevalent cancer impacting women worldwide. Injectable microparticles in cancer therapy are designed to release anticancer medication over several months, delivering therapeutic agents directly to cancer tumors and reducing the need for frequent administration. The application of microparticles as synergistic cancer therapy combines chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy, leveraging the strengths of both treatments. Chitosan (CS) and Gelatin (Gel) as a biological copolymer introduced as a carrier of photodynamic agents (Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and zinc oxide NPs) and a chemotherapy agent (Doxorubicin (DOX)). pH-sensitive CS-Gel/GQDs/ZnO@DOX microparticles fabricated using microfluidic chips, and the process parameters affected MPs’ size have been discussed. The average size of monodispersed CS-Gel/GQDs/ZnO@DOX spherical MPs is 35.23 ± 3.80 μm. CS-Gel/GQDs/ZnO@DOX encapsulated 88.32 % of initial DOX and released 36.2 % of it over 7 weeks in acidic media in a sustainable manner. Evaluation of the photodynamic efficiency of NPs on MCF-7 cells by MTT assay suggested 37.8 % of cells died after incubation under UV light for 10 min. ROS generation of GQDs/ZnO NPs increased by 42.5 % compared control group. Flow cytometry analysis of the 49-day release media from CS-Gel/GQDs/ZnO@DOX MPs indicated 44.5 % of cells underwent apoptosis. The CS-Gel/GQDs/ZnO@DOX MPs could serve as a suitable alternative to DOX multiple doses for treating breast cancer within the synergic effect of photodynamic therapy. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.