This work is related to the use of nanobiotechnology strategies for the treatment of Ehrlich breast tumor in elderly female mice. It involves hyperthermia therapy with magnetic nanoparticles coated with citrate (NpCit) and chemotherapy with Selol nanocapsules (NcSel). The experiments were divided into 2 steps: in the first step the toxicity and biodistribution of NpCit were evaluated in both young and old not-bearing tumors animals. Physical, biochemical, hematological and histopathological examinations were performed to evaluate possible morbidity, renal, liver damage, inflammatory and allergic processes, as result of the NpCit administration. For the biodistribution of the nanoparticle, the organs (liver, spleen, lung, kidneys and brain) and blood were collected for the quantification of iron / NpCit by inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP), and histology with the Perls method. The second step consists of the induction and detection of the breast tumor in Swiss mice, aged between 9 and 14 months to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of NpCit and NcSel associated or not with hyperthermia. Results from the toxicity and biodistribution assessment indicated that NpCit was well tolerated between young and old organisms, although biodistribution between the different aged groups showed significant differences. Previous studies of therapeutic efficacy with NpCit and NcSel associated with hyperthermia showed tumor remission and survival in young mice. Thus, combined therapy of hyperthermia and chemotherapy with Selol nanocapsule may represent a promising alternative for the breast cancer treatment. Keywords – Hyperthermia, Breast cancer, Selol nanocapsule, NpCit.
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