Bevacizumab-Conjugated Curcumin Nanoparticles Promote Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in Human Malignant Oral Keratinocytes In Vitro.

Background: Targeted, biologically-based therapeutic agents seek to reduce tumor burden and treatment side effects. Curcumin nanoparticle (CuNP)-based drug delivery systems conjugated have been shown to target and inhibit the growth of human malignant oral keratinocytes in vitro.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conjugate physiologically clotted fibrin (PCF) and CuNPs with bevacizumab (BVZ), characterize the newly formed nanoparticles, and test their growth inhibition on human oral cancer cells in vitro.

Study design, setting, sample: This in-vitro study was conducted at the White Lab, Cell Culture Laboratory, Saveetha; Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, from June 2 to August 20, 2024. The human malignant oral keratinocyte cell line UM-SCC-1 was used.

Predictor variables: The primary predictor variable was BVZ in the BVZ: PCF: CuNP nanoparticle formulation. The control consisted of PCF: CuNP nanoparticles.

Main outcome variables: The outcome variables were the successful synthesis of BVZ: PCF: CuNP and growth inhibition of UM-SCC-1 cells. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet, fourier-transform infrared, and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and scratch wound assays were conducted to assess the growth inhibition of UM-SCC-1 cells by BVZ: PCF: CuNPs.

Covariates: No covariates were tested in this study.

Analyses: The experimental data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software (version 9.5.1). Cytotoxicity results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and statistical significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.; State the statistical analyses used, the level of statistical significance, and the statistical software package used.

Results: The ultraviolet spectrum showed a peak at 419 nm. Fourier-transform infrared confirmed conjugation with amide bands at 1643, 1535, and 1235 cm^-1. Scanning electron microscopy showed spherical CuNPs (40-100 nm) and fibrin fibers (1-2 μm). BVZ: PCF: CuNPs decreased cell viability by 37%, with IC₅₀ of 3.2 versus 5.8 μM (P < .05). Apoptosis was higher in the BVZ group (65 vs 42%, P < .05).

Conclusion and relevance: BVZ: PCF: CuNP was successfully synthesized and showed greater growth inhibition of a human malignant oral keratinocyte line in vitro. Future studies should be performed to further characterize this novel nanoparticle in vitro and in vivo.