Abstract
Cancer is still the world's most prevalent cause of death, and the limited efficacy of current treatments highlights the requirement for new therapeutic approaches. In this study, neodymium (Nd)-doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe(2₋z)Nd(z)O(4), z = 0; 0.01; 0.02; 0.03; 0.05; 0.1) nanoparticles (Nd0-Nd5) were synthesized via the combustion method. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis. The synthesized compounds demonstrated single-phase spinel structures, with morphological differences observed between undoped and Nd-doped samples. The biological activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated on immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and on cancer cell lines: melanoma (A375), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and pancreatic carcinoma (PANC-1). The cytotoxic effects of Nd0-Nd5 (50-1000 μg∙mL(-1)) were assessed through Alamar Blue and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. The results indicated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in cancer cell lines. Changes in cell morphology, suggesting the induction of the apoptotic processes, were observed through immunofluorescence staining of F-actin and nuclei. These findings highlight the potential of Nd-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as selective anticancer agents, warranting further investigation to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action and therapeutic applicability.