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Published on: April 18, 2015
Magnetic catechin-dextran conjugate as targeted therapeutic for pancreatic tumour cells
Orazio Vittorio1, Valerio Voliani, Paolo Faraci
1Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales , New South Wales , Australia .
Background:
Catechin-dextran conjugates have recently attracted a lot of attention due to their anticancer activity against a range of cancer cells. Magnetic nanoparticles have the ability to concentrate therapeutically important drugs due to their magnetic-spatial control and provide opportunities for targeted drug delivery.
Purpose:
Enhancement of the anticancer efficiency of catechin-dextran conjugate by functionalisation with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
Methods:
Modification of the coating shell of commercial magnetic nanoparticles (Endorem) composed of dextran with the catechin-dextran conjugate.
Results:
Catechin-dextran conjugated with Endorem (Endo-Cat) increased the intracellular concentration of the drug and it induced apoptosis in 98% of pancreatic tumour cells placed under magnetic field.
Discussion:
The conjugation of catechin-dextran with Endorem enhances the anticancer activity of this drug and provides a new strategy for targeted drug delivery on tumour cells driven by magnetic field.
Conclusion:
The ability to spatially control the delivery of the catechin-dextran by magnetic field makes it a promising agent for further application in cancer therapy.
