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A multimodal nanoparticle-based cancer imaging probe simultaneously targeting nucleolin, integrin αvβ3 and tenascin-C
Hae Young Ko1, Kyung-Ju Choi, Chang Hyun Lee
1Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Department of Applied Bioscience, CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, 605-21 Yoeksam 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-081, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Molecular imaging of cancers has been characterized based on the sensitivity and selectivity of a single cancer probe targeting a cancer biomarker of a specific cancer cell line. Here, we designed a multimodal nanoparticle-based Simultaneously Multiple Aptamers and RGD Targeting (SMART) cancer probe targeting multiple cancer biomarkers to enhance the specificity and signal sensitivity for various cancers. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the multimodal SMART cancer probe was spheric and well dispersed. Fluorescence, radioisotope, and magnetic resonance analysis demonstrated that the SMART cancer probe simultaneously targeting the nucleolin, integrin α(v)β(3) and Tnc proteins had dramatically enhanced specificity and signal intensity when used to target cancers from C6, NPA, DU145, HeLa and A549 cells when compared with single cancer probes conjugated with AS1411, RGD or TTA1 targeting a single cancer biomarker. The results demonstrated that the SMART cancer probe will be useful for the diagnosis of different cancers as a cancer master probe.
Insights
This study introduces a novel multimodal nanoparticle probe (SMART) that targets multiple cancer biomarkers. This approach significantly enhances specificity and signal sensitivity for diagnosing various cancers compared to single-target probes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Current cancer molecular imaging relies on single probes with limited specificity and sensitivity.
- Targeting multiple cancer biomarkers could improve diagnostic accuracy for diverse cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a multimodal nanoparticle probe for enhanced cancer detection.
- To assess the specificity and signal intensity of the probe targeting multiple cancer biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a multimodal nanoparticle-based Simultaneously Multiple Aptamers and RGD Targeting (SMART) cancer probe.
- Characterization of the probe using transmission electron microscopy.
- Evaluation of probe performance using fluorescence, radioisotope, and magnetic resonance imaging on various cancer cell lines (C6, NPA, DU145, HeLa, A549).
Main Results:
- The SMART probe exhibited a spherical and well-dispersed morphology.
- Simultaneous targeting of nucleolin, integrin α(v)β(3), and Tnc proteins by the SMART probe significantly enhanced specificity and signal intensity.
- The SMART probe outperformed single-target probes (AS1411, RGD, TTA1) in cancer cell line targeting.
Conclusions:
- The developed SMART cancer probe demonstrates superior specificity and signal sensitivity for various cancers.
- This multimodal approach offers a promising strategy for a universal cancer diagnostic probe.
- The SMART probe has potential applications in the diagnosis of different cancer types.
