Anti-EGFR antibody conjugated silica nanoparticles as probes for lung cancer detection

A well-designed nanosystem [anti-epidermal growth factor receptor-MB-encapsulated thiol-terminated silica nanoparticles (EGFR/MB-SHSi) complexes] containing silica nanoparticles and near-infrared fluorescence dye (NIRF) methylene blue (MB) was established as a tumor-targeted probe for potential lung cancer detection. The anti-EGFR/MB-SHSi complexes exhibited desirable and homogenous particle size, high bovine serum albumin stability, low hemolytic activity, neutral surface charges and negligible cytotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, the results of confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry confirmed that the EGFR-targeted function induced high and specific cellular uptake of anti-EGFR/MB-SHSi complexes. In vivo investigation of nude mice bearing A549 tumor xenografts revealed that anti-EGFR/MB-SHSi complexes possessed strong tumor target ability. These observations indicated that anti-EGFR/MB-SHSi complexes may be a safe and tumor-targeting probe for the detection of cancer.