Ultrasound stimulated hexagonal boron nitrides as cancer drug nanocarriers

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b3146985_(Table of contents)

Electrical stimulation, known to play an important role in cellular physiology, is widely used in therapeutic applications including cancer therapy and regenerative medicine. However, use of cables and electrodes causes difficulties in real life applications. Piezoelectric nanomaterials (NMs) can be used to generate electrical stimulation in a targeted manner through ultrasound (US) waves. Hexagonal boron nitrides (hBNs) are considered biocompatible NMs with their low toxicity and slow degradation profiles in aqueous media. Although it is not clear, one of their degradation products is thought to be boric acid (BA) with a threapautic effect. With these features, hBNs are considered as good nanocarriers. In this thesis, hBNs were first synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and characterized using imaging, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Then, their piezoelectric properties were investigated by Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PRFM). Next, the loading efficiency and release of a chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin (Dox), at varying pHs and incubations times, and US exposure were evaluated. Finally, the influence of piezoelectricity of hBNs on its drug carrier potential was tested in vitro using PC3 human prostate cancer and PNT1A normal adult prostate epithelial cell lines. It was found that the US-induced hBN-Dox significantly inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The results of this study suggest that hBNs with the application of US can be a potential drug nanocarrier.