فعالية الجسيمات النانوية الممغنطة بين مرضى سرطان الثدي

Effectiveness of Modified Nanoparticles on Removal of Toxic Heavy Metals among Patients with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a major global health concern, with environmental factors increasingly recognized as contributors to its pathogenesis. Chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and aluminum (Al) has been linked to breast cancer development due to their ability to induce oxidative stress, mimic estrogenic activity, and promote DNA damage and inflammation. These mechanisms highlight the importance of detecting and removing such metals from biological systems. Nanotechnology offers promising solutions, with modified magnetic nanoparticles particularly EDTA doped Fe₃O₄ (Fe₃O₄@EDTA) showing high potential in adsorbing and removing heavy metals from complex biological and environmental matrices. Methods: Whole blood samples were obtained from ninty female patients diagnosed with breast cancer at the Breast Cancer Early Detection Unit, Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, Karbala Health Directorate, Iraq. The patients were between 18 and 70 years of age. Detailed demographic data, personal and family medical histories, as well as anthropometric measurements (age, weight, and height) were collected through structured interviews and a standardized questionnaire. A comparison group consisted of forty five apparently healthy females, recruited from well-known volunteers with no history of any diseases. Blood samples were collected from these participants, and their ages were relatively comparable to those of the patient group, ensuring balance across the study population. This study evaluated the efficiency of Fe₃O₄@EDTA nanoparticles in removing cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and aluminum (Al) from three types of samples: serum of breast cancer patients, serum of healthy individuals (controls), and aqueous solutions with known metal concentrations. Nanoparticles were applied at different concentrations (50, 100, 250, and 500 ppm) and exposed for various durations (30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours). Analytical techniques were used to measure metal concentrations before and after treatment. The synthesized Fe₃O₄@EDTA nanoparticles were characterized using multiple techniques to confirm their structural, morphological, and surface properties. These included X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine crystal structure, UV-Visible spectroscopy for optical behavior, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) for surface morphology, dynamic light scattering (DLS) for particle size distribution, and zeta potential analysis to assess surface charge and colloidal stability. Additionally, levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, and ferritin) and the tumor marker CA15-3 were assessed in the serum samples. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the significance of metal removal and biomarker variations across the groups. Results: The results demonstrated a clear concentration- and time-dependent increase in heavy metal removal efficiency. Cadmium removal peaked at 88% in breast cancer patient samples and 94% in control samples. Lead and aluminum removal reached 91% and 90%, respectively. Notably, higher removal efficiencies were observed in control samples compared to cancer patient samples, suggesting that the biological matrix in cancer serum rich in proteins, hormones, and cellular debris may hinder the adsorption process. Discussion: The findings emphasize the dual influence of nanoparticle concentration and exposure time on heavy metal removal performance. The presence of elevated inflammatory and tumor markers in breast cancer patients (e.g., IL-6: 34.87 ng/mL, CRP: 7.14 ng/mL, and high CA15-3 levels) reflects active systemic inflammation and disease burden, which may interfere with nanoparticle action. These observations support a potential link between heavy metal accumulation, inflammation, and cancer progression. Additionally, the superior performance of Fe₃O₄@EDTA nanoparticles in aqueous systems suggests their applicability for environmental detoxification, while their performance in serum samples indicates a possible therapeutic role in clinical oncology. Conclusion: Fe₃O₄@EDTA nanoparticles exhibit significant potential in removing toxic heavy metals from both patients and healthy group samples. Their high removal efficiency, biocompatibility, and ability to operate in complex environments make them suitable candidates for future applications in water purification and adjunct detoxification therapies for cancer patients. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the integration of nanotechnology in both environmental and medical fields.