Potential Molecular Interactions and In Vitro Hyperthermia, Thermal, and Magnetic Studies of Bioactive Nickel-Doped Hydroxyapatite Thin Films

Abstract

The treatment of bone cancer often necessitates the surgical removal of affected tissues, with artificial implants playing a critical role in replacing lost bone structure. Functionalized implants represent an innovative approach to improve bio-integration and the long-term effectiveness of surgery in treating cancer-damaged bones. In this study, nickel-substituted hydroxyapatite (Ni:HAp) nanoparticles were deposited as thin films using laser pulses in the range of 30,000–60,000. Comprehensive structural, infrared, optical, morphological, surface, and magnetic evaluations were conducted on the synthesized Ni:HAp thin films. The magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loop demonstrated an increase in the saturation magnetization of the films with a higher number of laser pulses. A minimum squareness ratio of 0.7 was observed at 45,000 laser pulses, and the M-H characteristics indicated a shift toward ferromagnetic behavior, achieving the desired thermal response through an alternating magnetic field application within 80 s. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed distinct thermal stability, with the material structure exhibiting 46% degradation at 800 °C. The incorporation of bioactive magnetic nanoparticles in the thin film holds significant promise for magnetic hyperthermia treatment. Using HDOCK simulations, the interactions between ligand molecules and proteins were also explored. Strong binding affinities with a docking score of −67.73 were thus observed. The presence of Ca²⁺ ions enhances electrostatic interactions, providing valuable insights into the biochemical roles of the ligand in therapeutic applications. Intravenous administration of magnetic nanoparticles, which subsequently aggregate within the tumor tissue, combined with an applied alternating magnetic field, enable targeted heating of the tumor to 45 °C. This focused heating approach selectively targets cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue, thereby potentially enhancing the effectiveness of hyperthermia therapy in cancer treatment.