A promising radiolabeled drug delivery system for methotrexate: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of Tc-99m labeled drug loaded uniform mesoporous silica nanoparticles

In present study, we describe a promising radiolabeled drug delivery system for Methotrexate (MTX), an anticancer drug used in the treatment of breast cancer. Uniform and re-dispersible MSN were synthesized with a particle size of as 42.55 +/- 1.45 nm. Then, MTX was loaded into the surface modified MSN with DTPA over 95% loading capacity. Subsequently, MTX loaded MSN carrier system was radiolabeled with Tc-99 m (Tc-99m-MTX-MSN) with 92.20 +/- 0.8% radiolabeling yield. Furthermore, in vitro evaluation on estrogen positive (ER +) MCF7 and estrogen negative (ER-) A549 cells lines were performed for determining apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of MTX-MSN, and incorporation behavior of Tc-99m-MTX-MSN. Drug loaded MSN particles were exhibit higher uptake in MCF7 cells than A549 cells.