Preparation, radiolabeling and cell culture studies of chitosan coated PLGA nanoparticles as a potential cancer diagnostic agent

Using the nanoprecipitation process, chitosan coated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) based polymeric nanoparticle formulations of two molecular weights were developed as a possible cancer cell diagnostic agent. Photon correlation spectroscopy was used to measure the particle size, distribution [polydispersity index (PDI)], and zeta potential values of developed nanoparticle formulations. The F1 [low molecular weight PLGA (Resomer (R) RG 503 H)] and F2 [high molecular weight PLGA (Resomer (R) RG 504 H)] formulations were then directly labeled with Technetium-99m ([99mTc]Tc) using stannous salts (chloride) as a reducing agent. The radiochemical purity (RP) and in vitro stability in different mediums of the formulations were assessed using ascending radioactive thin layer chromatography (RTLC) method. The cell incorporation of [99mTc]Tc labeled F1 and F2 formulations, as well as Reduced/Hydrolized [99mTc]NaTcO4 (R/H-[99mTc]NaTcO4) in the MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) cells, was then assessed. The nanoparticles had a middle size of 408.9 +/- 3.626 nm to 421.3 +/- 7.205 nm, a PDI value of 0.310 +/- 0.055 to 0.330 +/- 0.066, and a positive charge of +70.5 +/- 1.4 mV to +75.5 +/- 3.8 mV, according to the characterization results. F1 and F2 formulations were effectively radiolabeled with [99mTc]Tc, and their RP was found to be over 98% in both cases. When compared to [99mTc]Tc-F1 (45.091 +/- 2.254%) and R/H-[99mTc]NaTcO4 (8.527 +/- 0.426%), the incorporation percentages of [99mTc]Tc-F2 (70.756 +/- 3.537%) were shown to be higher in cancer cell lines (breast cancer cells, MCF-7). According to this research, radiolabeled chitosan coated PLGA nanoparticles ([99mTc]Tc-F2) could be suggested as promising cancer detection formulations. However, further investigations, such as biodistribution studies, should be performed.