Inhibitory Effect of Tricalcium Phosphate Sintered at Different Temperatures on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Introduction: Achievement of new drugs with minimal side effects is an important goal in the cancer treatment due to irreversible side effects of conventional drugs. Tricalcium phosphates as natural bone components have unique characteristics including excellent biocompatibility, high biosorption and superior bioactivity. This research aimed at investigating the inhibitory effect of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) sintered at different temperatures. Methods: TCP nanoparticles (nTCP) were sintered at three temperatures of 700°C, 900°C and 1000°C, and their structural characterization was examined. Heat treatment of TCP at 900°C was found optimal due to its morphological properties, such as particle size and its crystallinity. The inhibitory effect of optimized nTCP sintered at 900°C was surveyed through in vitro tests. Results: Cell culture assay studies exhibited that such effect depended on the concentration of nTCP. Moreover, the results depicted that the effect was 80%, which could be attributed to the 50 mg.L^-1 dose of nTCP. Conclusions: In lower concentrations, higher inhibitory effect of nTCP was observed. In comparison with hydroxyapatite, at low concentrations, anti-cancer properties of TCP were far greater than other calcium phosphates.