A Cationic [60] Fullerene Derivative Reduces Invasion and Migration of HT-29 CRC Cells in Vitro at Dose Free of Significant Effects on Cell Survival

Nanomaterials with unique characteristics exhibit favorable therapeutic and diagnostic properties, implying their enormous potential as biomedical candidates. C60 has been used in gene- and drug-delivery, as imaging agents, and as photosensitizers in cancer therapy. In this study, the influences of a cationic function- alized fullerene on cellular behavior of human colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29) were investigated. Results indicated that HT-29 treated with the studied compound showed a lower sensitivity but a significant impairment in migration and invasion by interfering with the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9). The presence of fullerene also altered the capacity of adhesion-related proteins to perform their activity, thereby inducing dramatically adverse effects on the cell physiological functions such as cell adhesion. Thus, our study suggests that this compound is a new potential anti-metastatic effector and a therapeutic component for malignant colorectal cancer.