{
  "abstract": "Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising molecular subtypes with distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities. Among emerging therapeutic strategies, copper-based nanoparticles have shown anticancer activity. However, whether these responses differ across breast cancer subtypes and which molecular programs underlie copper sensitivity remain poorly understood. We investigated subtype-specific responses to Polyvinylpyrrolidone-assisted copper nanoparticles (CuNP-PVP) in breast cancer cell lines and the molecular programs underlying copper adaptation. CuNP-PVP were synthesized and evaluated in luminal (MCF-7), HER2-positive (SKBR3), and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines, with transcriptomic analyses integrated with CCLE and TCGA-BRCA datasets. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a plasmon resonance band at 591 nm, while TEM showed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 76.1 +/- 21.0 nm. DLS indicated a larger hydrodynamic diameter, consistent with PVP coating; {zeta}-potential measurements showed a surface charge of -13 mV, and XPS confirmed mixed reduced and Cu(I)/Cu(II) oxidation states. Exposure to 100 g/mL CuNP-PVP induced subtype-dependent effects on cell viability, with MCF-7 showing greater sensitivity, whereas MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 were less affected. Baseline transcriptomic analyses revealed enrichment of oxidative stress, metabolic adaptation, and lysosomal programs in less sensitive cells, whereas MCF-7 showed higher expression of lipoylation-related genes. These features supported the development of a Potential Biological Copper-Response Index (PBCRI), which captured subtype-associated transcriptional patterns across independent cell lines and patient tumors, with luminal models showing lower scores and basal/TNBC models showing higher scores. Together, these findings identify candidate transcriptional programs associated with subtype-specific responses to CuNP and provide a framework for investigating potential molecular determinants of copper sensitivity.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Campinas"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. Goncalves Silva"
    },
    {
      "name": "I. J. Oliveira Silva"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Paranhos Tanaka"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Zaia Monteiro"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Servilha Oliveira Filho"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. F. Moreira de Oliveira"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Spolon Marangoni"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. M. Gomes Dias"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "C. von Zuben de Valega Negrao"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6chxm1d0m065d.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.21.753010",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.753010v1.full",
  "id": "6chxm1d0m065d",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.753010v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "cancer biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2505|Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213983897",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.753010v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-21",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6chxm1d0m065d.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:23:43Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.21.753010",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.753010v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "biorxiv:cancer biology",
      "subfield": "oncology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Differential Cytotoxicity of PVP-Copper Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer Cell Lines: Insights from Basal Transcriptomic Profiles",
  "title_text": "Differential Cytotoxicity of PVP-Copper Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer Cell Lines: Insights from Basal Transcriptomic Profiles",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:23:43Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6chxm1d0m065d",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}