Lanreotide-conjugated PEG-DSPE micelles: an efficient nanocarrier targeting to somatostatin receptor positive tumors

Lanreotide is an octapeptide analog of endogenous somatostatin, specifically binding with tumors over-express somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2). In this study, we conjugated lanreotide to 1, 2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy (poly-(ethylene glycol))-2000] (PEG-DSPE), constructed active targeted micelles (lanreotide-PM), characterized their in vitro and in vivo targeting effect, and explored the receptor mediated transportion. The uptake of lanreotide-PM was found to be related to the expression level of SSTR2 in different cell lines and the competitive inhibition phenomenon indicated that the cellular uptake of lanreotide-PM was via a receptor meditated mechanism. In vivo, more lanreotide-PM accumulated in SSTR2 high expression tumor xenografts, endocytosed by the tumor cells, induced more apoptosis of tumor cells, and suppressed tumor growth efficiently. In conclusion, lanreotide-modified micelles containing antitumor drugs provide a promising strategy for the treatment of SSTR-expressing tumors.