Layer-by-layer coated calcium carbonate nanoparticles for targeting breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is resistant to conventional treatments due to the specific tumour microenvironment, the associated acidic pH and the overexpression of receptors that enhance cells tumorigenicity. Herein, we optimized the synthesis of acidic resorbable calcium carbonate (CaCO) nanoparticles and the encapsulation of a low molecular weight model molecule (Rhodamine). The addition of ethylene glycol during the synthetic process resulted in a particle size decrease: we obtained homogeneous CaCO particles with an average size of 564 nm.