UV-synthesized albumin-based doxorubicin nanoparticles induce apoptosis and modulate leukemia surface markers while overcoming drug resistance

Although chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin (DOX) are used to treat leukemia, their application is often limited by systemic toxicity, low specificity, and the development of drug resistance. The development of drug delivery systems can overcome the problems associated with conventional delivery methods. In this study, innovative albumin-based UV-DOX-NPs were synthesized by UV irradiation and evaluated for their leukemia inhibitory activity; they represent a novel formulation strategy that has seen limited application to date. Their effects on leukemic Jurkat and THP-1 cells were extensively studied. Advanced techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were used for characterization. UV-DOX-NPs exhibited increased cytotoxicity and significantly lower IC50 values compared to free DOX. Apoptosis rates were also higher in both cell lines following DOX-NP treatment. Flow cytometry revealed a significant downregulation of leukemia-associated surface markers, including CD5, CD7, and CD3 in Jurkat cells and CD7, CD14, and CD33 in THP-1 cells. In addition, UV-DOX-NPs significantly reduced the expression of ABCG2, an important MDR-associated transporter. Our results demonstrate that UV-synthesized, albumin-based UV-DOX-NPs not only enhance antileukemic efficacy but also modulate the leukemic immunophenotype and overcome multidrug resistance. These results provide a promising platform for a more targeted and safer leukemia therapy. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.