Organotin(IV)-loaded mesoporous silica as a biocompatible strategy in cancer treatment.

The strong therapeutic potential of an organotin(IV) compound loaded in nanostructured silica (SBA-15pSn) is demonstrated: B16 melanoma tumor growth in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice is almost completely abolished. In contrast to apoptosis as the basic mechanism of the anticancer action of numerous chemotherapeutics, the important advantage of this SBA-15pSn mesoporous material is the induction of cell differentiation, an effect unknown for metal-based drugs and nanomaterials alone. This non-aggressive mode of drug action is highly efficient against cancer cells but is in the concentration range used nontoxic for normal tissue. JNK (Jun-amino-terminal kinase)-independent apoptosis accompanied by the development of the melanocyte-like nonproliferative phenotype of survived cells indicates the extraordinary potential of SBA-15pSn to suppress tumor growth without undesirable compensatory proliferation of malignant cells in response to neighboring cell death.