Fucoidan-functionalized molybdenum carbide nanospheres for combined therapy: Photothermal, photodynamic, and chemotherapeutic effects on triple-negative breast cancer cell lines

This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of fucoidan-functionalized molybdenum carbide (Mo2C@C@Fuc) nanospheres and their combination with paclitaxel (PTX) for targeted cancer therapy, with a focus on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. The nanospheres exhibited 85-90 % drug-loading efficiency and pH-responsive release, ensuring enhanced delivery in acidic tumor microenvironments. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays revealed significant ROS generation under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, particularly in the PTX/ Mo2C@C@Fuc group, selectively inducing oxidative stress in TNBC cells (4T1 and MDA-MB-231) while sparing healthy fibroblasts (L929). Apoptosis analyses confirmed increased cell death rates under NIR+ conditions, while migration assay demonstrated the nanospheres' ability to inhibit cancer cell migration and disrupt endothelial tube formation, respectively. These findings highlight the synergistic photothermal, photodynamic, and chemotherapeutic effects of Mo2C@C@Fuc nanospheres, positioning them as a versatile and effective nano-platform for advanced cancer therapy targeting triple-negative breast cancer.