Osteosarcoma cells in early and late stages as cancer in vitro progression model for assessing the responsiveness of cells to silver nanoparticles

Understanding of biology of osteosarcoma malignant progression is indispensable for enhancement of conventional chemotherapy by the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). We presented an in vitro model of cancer progression closely resembling processes occurring in vivo in terms of protein profile. A comparison of cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of AgNPs in Saos-2 cells in early stages of cancerous progression (early passages) with the cells in advanced stages (late passages) demonstrated significantly reduced responsiveness of the late passage cells to nanoparticles toxicity. It was also confirmed by proteome analysis as we identified considerably higher number of differentially expressed proteins in Saos-2 cells in early passages compared to the late passage cells. Our studies showed that the ability of AgNPs as potential drug carriers to deliver a medication and/or to evoke toxic effects might be significantly diminished in advanced stages of cancer progression.