West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 13 4 2012 04 01 Gold Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells 1617 1620 26382 EN Journal Article 1970 01 01 <b>Background:</b> Gold nanoparticles have recently been investigated with respect to biocompatibility accordingto their interactions with cells. The purpose of this study was to examine cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction bywell-characterized gold nanoparticles in human breast epithelial MCF-7 cells. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Apoptosis was assessedby TUNEL, cytotoxicity by MTT assay and caspase 3, 9, p53, Bax and Bcl expression by real-time PCR assays.<br/><b>Results</b>: Gold nanoparticles at up to 200 μg/mL for 24 hours exerted concentration-dependent cytotoxicity andsignificant upregulation of mRNA expression of p53, bax, caspase-3 & caspase-9, whereas expression of antiapoptoticbcl-2 was down-regulated. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: To the best of our knowledge this is the first report showingthat gold nanoparticles induce apoptosis in MCF-7cells via p53, bax/bcl-2 and caspase pathways. https://journal.waocp.org/article_26382_414aabc16a739e76cbfdb4b6aac56b19.pdf