Investigations on effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle in combination with UV radiation on breast and skin cancer cells

In this study, we have investigated the chemotherapeutic potential of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles on skin and breast cancer cells. The cells have treated with a 75 µg/ml concentration of titanium dioxide because it is a recommended dose with proven effectiveness in vitro studies and then the cells were exposed to UV-A radiation. The combined effects of titanium dioxide and UV-A radiation on cell viability, cell cycle, plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potentials and apoptotic activity of the cells were investigated. The viability of SK-MEL 30 cells was measured by MTT assay and apoptotic activity of cells was determined by Annexin-V FITC/PI staining. As a result of the research, an increase was observed in the viability of cells treated with 75 µg/ml titanium dioxide concentration, while a significant decrease in cell viability was observed for both cell types when UV-A radiation and TiO 2 were applied together. The results also showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells increased as a result of UV + TiO 2 exposure. Accordingly, it can be said that TiO 2 nanoparticles may research as potential chemotherapeutic agents for skin and breast cancers, especially in the presence of UV radiation.