Paradigm of Vanadium pentoxide nanoparticle-induced autophagy and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Chemo-resistance remains the main hurdle to cancer therapy, challenging the improvement of clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Therefore, exploratory studies to address chemo-resistance through various approaches are highly rewarding. Nanomedicine is a promising recent advancement in this direction. Comprehensive studies to understand the precise molecular interactions of nanomaterials is necessary to validate their specific "nano induced" effects. Here, we illustrate in detail the specific biological interactions of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles (VnNp) on triple-negative breast cancer cells and provide initial insights towards its potential in breast cancer management at the cellular level. VnNp shows a time-dependent anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant property in vitro. These nanoparticles specifically accumulate in the lysosomes and mitochondria, modulate various cellular processes including impaired lysosomal function, mitochondrial damage, and induce autophagy. At more extended periods, VnNp influences cell cycle arrest and inhibits cell migration potentiating the onset of apoptosis. Preliminary in vivo studies, on exposing healthy Swiss albino mice to VnNp demonstrated normal blood parameters, organ distribution, and tissue redox balance which further indicated the absence of any adverse organ toxicity. Hence, we foresee tumor-targeting VnNp as a potential drug molecule for future cancer management.