A biotin-guided fluorescent-peptide drug delivery system for cancer treatment

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Drug Delivery
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant health challenge.
• Targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for overcoming cancer cell resistance.
• Biotin receptors are overexpressed on certain cancer cells, presenting a therapeutic target.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel fluorescent-peptide drug delivery system for targeting biotin receptor-positive cancer cells.
• To assess the efficacy of the developed system in reducing cancer cell viability.
• To investigate the intracellular fluorescence enhancement upon drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a fluorescent-peptide prodrug (prodrug 1) incorporating biotin, naphthalimide, and HJ inhibitor peptide2.
• Treatment of biotin receptor-positive HepG2 cells with prodrug 1.
• Assessment of cell viability using standard assays.
• Measurement of intracellular fluorescence.

Main Results:

• Prodrug 1 demonstrated targeted delivery to biotin receptor-positive HepG2 cells.
• Treatment with prodrug 1 significantly decreased HepG2 cell viability.
• Intracellular fluorescence was markedly increased following treatment with prodrug 1, indicating successful drug delivery.
• The system overcame resistance to high concentrations of HJ inhibitor peptide2.

Conclusions:

• The developed fluorescent-peptide drug delivery system shows promise for targeted cancer therapy.
• Prodrug 1 effectively targets and reduces viability of biotin receptor-positive cancer cells.
• This system offers a potential strategy for overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment.