Glucosamine Surface Modified Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Co-Delivery of Dacarbazine and Novobiocin in Melanoma: An in Vitro/In Vivo Study Publisher

Summary: Could heat boost a melanoma drug combination? In mice, targeted nanoparticles with chemotherapy and photothermal treatment suppressed tumors; human efficacy is unknown. #Melanoma #Nanomedicine

Moghadasi H ; Varshosaz J ; Minaiyan M ; Jahanian Najafabadi A ; Hassanzadeh F ; Birang R
Source: BioNanoScience Published:2026

Abstract

Melanoma presents significant therapeutic challenges. Novobiocin (NOV) is a heat shock protein (HSP) inhibitor. HSPs are crucial for cancer cell survival and resistance. The aim of the present study was targeted co-delivery of Dacarbazine (DTIC) and NOV for combined chemo-photothermal therapy (PTT) of melanoma. Nanoparticles were designed by conjugating of polygalacturonic acid (PGA), glucosamine (GLA) for tumor targeting, and ethylene diamine decorated graphene oxide (EDGO) as photothermal agent. DTIC/NOV to polymer ratio was optimized. The cellular tests, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) production were studied on B16F10 and L929 cells in absence and presence of near-IR laser irradiation. The antitumor effects of the combined DTIC/NOV treatment with PTT in tumor bearing C57BL/6 mice were studied. Findings showed a particle size of 168.4 ± 0.8 nm, entrapment efficiency of 97.5% ± 0.9% and 82.5% ± 0.6% for DTIC and NOV, respectively. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the nanoparticles increased significantly in exposure to near-IR laser irradiation. ROS level was significantly higher for DTIC/NOV in PTT, compared to only DTIC. SOD production was lower in DTIC/NOV and laser-treated formulation. The combined DTIC/NOV treatment with PTT in tumor bearing C57BL/6 mice led to a significant enhancement in tumor inhibition rate (90.36%) and a remarkable improvement in mouse survival compared to control groups. Histopathological studies revealed improved recovery in animals receiving GLA-PGA-EDGO@DTIC/NOV with PTT and no metastasis in other body organs compared to GLA-PGA-EDGO@DTIC. The findings suggest that GLA-PGA-EDGO@DTIC/NOV in combination with PTT represent a promising therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.