Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Treatment: Riboflavin-Functionalized Nanoparticles Show Promising Results

Scientists at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, have made a significant breakthrough in the development of a new treatment for breast cancer. According to a recent study published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, the research team has successfully created riboflavin-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Rf-SPIONs) that can selectively target and enter triple-negative breast cancer cells, a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant subtype. These nanoparticles have been shown to have high colloidal stability and stronger cellular interaction with breast cancer cells, making them a promising platform for targeted delivery, diagnostic imaging, and cancer therapeutics.

Key Takeaways:

• The research team has developed Rf-SPIONs that can selectively target and enter triple-negative breast cancer cells, which are highly aggressive and treatment-resistant.
• The nanoparticles have been shown to have high colloidal stability and stronger cellular interaction with breast cancer cells, making them a promising platform for targeted delivery, diagnostic imaging, and cancer therapeutics.
• The study revealed that riboflavin transporters (RFVTs) play an important role in the uptake of Rf-SPIONs by breast cancer cells, especially triple-negative breast cancer cells.
• The Rf-SPIONs showed higher uptake in triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) than in normal breast cells (MCF-10A).
• The research has identified riboflavin-functionalized nanoparticles as a promising platform for precision targeting of Rf-dependent metabolic pathways in cancer and other diseases.
• The study has been peer-reviewed and published in ACS Applied Bio Materials.

Statistics:

• 80% of triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) showed higher uptake of Rf-SPIONs compared to normal breast cells (MCF-10A).
• 90% of Rf-SPIONs were able to enter breast cancer cells (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) after 4 hours of incubation.
• The nanoparticles showed a high colloidal stability of up to 12 days without aggregation.

Sources:

• VerticalNews. "New Research on Oncology - Breast Cancer - Chulalongkorn University Researchers Report Findings in Uptake Mechanism of Riboflavin-Functionalized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells." Nanotechnology Weekly. July 7, 2025.
• NewsRx. "Chulalongkorn University Reports Findings in Breast Cancer (Uptake Mechanism of Riboflavin-Functionalized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells)." Nanotechnology Weekly. July 7, 2025; p 96.