Gold nanoparticles as multifactorial modulators of pancreatic cancer cell behavior

Malgorzata Lasota; Adam Kozik; Milena Serwatka; Anna Wiśniewska

doi:10.56782/pps.974

Published : 2026-08-01

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2026)

Gold nanoparticles as multifactorial modulators of pancreatic cancer cell behavior

Malgorzata Lasota

Adam Kozik

Milena Serwatka

Anna Wiśniewska

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.974

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as promising multifunctional agents in cancer therapy due to their unique physicochemical properties and intrinsic biological activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of 5 nm AuNPs on pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and BxPC-3) and non-malignant pancreatic cells (HPDE6c7), focusing on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and selected signaling pathways. AuNPs induced a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and promoted apoptosis in both cancer cell lines, with a more pronounced effect observed in PANC-1 cells. Furthermore, AuNP treatment significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, indicating suppression of metastatic potential. On the contrary, non-malignant pancreatic cells exhibited reduced sensitivity, although measurable cytotoxic effects were still observed. Interestingly, despite strong phenotypic changes, AuNPs did not significantly alter AKT or ERK1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting that their anticancer activity is not mediated by classical EGFR-dependent signaling pathways. Instead, the observed effects are likely driven by multifactorial mechanisms, including oxidative stress, cytoskeletal remodeling, and alterations in intracellular trafficking. In general, these findings highlight AuNPs as active modulators of cancer cell behavior and support their potential as a new therapeutic platform in pancreatic cancer. However, further optimization is required to improve selectivity and define their safety profile.

Keywords:

gold nanoparticles, pancreatic cancer, drug delivery systems

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Lasota, M., Kozik, A., Serwatka, M., & Wiśniewska, A. (2026). Gold nanoparticles as multifactorial modulators of pancreatic cancer cell behavior. Prospects in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 24(3), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.974

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Malgorzata Lasota

malgorzata.lasota@uj.edu.pl

Affiliation:

1 Center for Biomedicine and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-531 Krakow, Poland; 2 Student Scientific Group of Targeted Therapy and Supramolecular Systems, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-531 Krakow, Poland; Poland

Adam Kozik

adam.kozik@student.uj.edu.pl

Affiliation:

Student Scientific Group of Targeted Therapy and Supramolecular Systems, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-531 Krakow, Poland Poland

Milena Serwatka

milena.serwatka@student.uj.edu.pl

Affiliation:

Student Scientific Group of Targeted Therapy and Supramolecular Systems, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-531 Krakow, Poland Poland

Anna Wiśniewska

anna.niepsuj@uj.ed.pl

Affiliation:

Chair of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-531 Krakow, Poland Poland