β-Cyclodextrin Encapsulated Platinum(II)-Based Nanoparticles: Photodynamic Therapy and Inhibition of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Glioblastoma

This study explores cell death through photodynamic therapy (PDT) with β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated platinum(II)-based nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) and the effect on the NF-κB and stress pathways in glioblastoma. The encapsulation of the cyclometalated Pt(II) complex Pt(LL') within β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) enhances its biocompatibility, improves cellular penetration, and boosts emission, thereby increasing the effectiveness of PDT. Both Pt(LL') and Pt-NPs show minimal toxicity in the dark; however, Pt-NPs significantly increase toxicity toward glioblastoma Kr158 cells upon irradiation at 390 nm. The PDT-induced cell death is further validated through apoptosis assays and the modulation of some key survival pathways like NF-κB/p65, DJ-1, and ERp29. This is the first report of β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated platinum(II)-based nanoparticles designed to target glioblastoma cells through PDT, offering a promising strategy for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.