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Genetic research

Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Multifunctional Nanomaterials Show Promise

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Investigators at the University of Ha'il have made significant advancements in cancer gene therapy, developing a multifunctional nanomaterial that exhibits potential in both antimicrobial and anticancer therapies. The nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) encapsulating Bacillus megaterium supernatant (BMS) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) demonstrated remarkable properties, including antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 7.5 to 30 g/mL. The nanomaterials also displayed significant downregulation of biofilm-associated genes and reduced viability of cancer cells, including HepG2 and MCF-7 cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • The novel NLCs were prepared using the emulsification-solvent evaporation technique and loaded with BMS and MNPs to form NLC-BMS-MNPs.
  • Characterization of the NLC-BMS-MNPs revealed a spherical morphology with an average size of 74.45 nm and a zeta potential of -4.44 mV.
  • The NLC-BMS-MNPs demonstrated antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and cancer cells, with MICs ranging from 7.5 to 30 g/mL.
  • The nanomaterials significantly downregulated the expression of biofilm-associated genes, with fold changes ranging from -1.9 to -3, -2 to 3, -4 to 5.2, respectively.
  • The NLC-BMS-MNPs reduced the viability of HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, with IC values of 13.74 ± 0.02 g/mL and 19.12 ± 0.51 g/mL, respectively, compared to normal Vero and HFB-4 cells.

Statistics:

  • Average size of NLC-BMS-MNPs: 74.45 nm
  • Zeta potential of NLC-BMS-MNPs: -4.44 mV
  • Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs): 7.5 to 30 g/mL
  • Fold changes in biofilm-associated genes: -1.9 to -3, -2 to 3, -4 to 5.2, respectively
  • IC values for HepG2 cells: 13.74 ± 0.02 g/mL
  • IC values for MCF-7 cells: 19.12 ± 0.51 g/mL

Sources:

  • Multifunctional nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulating Bacillus megaterium supernatant and magnetic nanoparticles for combating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and cancer cells. BMC Microbiology, 2025,25(1):1-17.
  • NewsRx. New Cancer Gene Therapy Study Results Reported from University of Ha'il (Multifunctional nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulating Bacillus megaterium supernatant and magnetic nanoparticles for combating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus ...). Cancer Weekly. October 28, 2025; p 26.

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