Arsenic Polyoxotungstate-Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 as a Potential Selective Anti-cancer Nano Platform

A pH-sensitive nanoplatform of Pegylated Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8/PEG) was selected to modulate the cytotoxicity profile of arsenic polyoxotungstate (K6As2W18O62, KAW). The final nanoplatforms (NPs) showed a high loading content (31%) and a pH-responsive release of KAW. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed that the IC50 decreased to about half in designed NPs on MDA-MB-231 cancer cells with a better level of cellular uptake (92%) than in control KAW (62%). Also, the final pegylated NPs were safer than free KAW on normal cells (85 mg/mL versus 45 mg/mL). The in vitro study confirmed the higher potency of the designed NPs against breast cancer cells with lower side effects than free KAW. Graphical Abstract