Association of anti-HER2 antibody with graphene oxide for curative treatment of osteosarcoma

Lan Li1, Chengke Luo2, Zhenwei Song3

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; University of Utah, Department of Pathology and ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Insights

Graphene oxide enhanced trastuzumab therapy for HER2-positive osteosarcoma. This novel TRA/GO complex effectively kills cancer cells and eradicates tumors in mice, offering a potential new treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • HER2 overexpression presents a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma (OS).
  • Standard anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (TRA) shows limited efficacy in OS.
  • Need for enhanced delivery and efficacy of HER2-targeted therapies in OS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel therapeutic complex for HER2-positive osteosarcoma.
  • To enhance the anti-cancer activity of trastuzumab using graphene oxide.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the TRA/GO complex in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

  • Stable non-covalent association of trastuzumab (TRA) with graphene oxide (GO) to form multivalent TRA/GO complexes.
  • In vitro assessment of HER2-binding activity and cancer cell killing capacity.
  • In vivo evaluation of TRA/GO efficacy in established xenograft osteosarcoma mouse models.

Main Results:

  • TRA/GO complexes exhibited significantly enhanced HER2-binding and rapid OS cell killing.
  • TRA/GO induced oxidative stress, necroptosis, and apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • Intravenous administration of TRA/GO eradicated tumors and led to indefinite survival in mice, unlike TRA alone.

Conclusions:

  • Multivalent TRA/GO complexes represent a potent and effective therapeutic strategy for HER2-positive osteosarcoma.
  • This novel nanomedicine approach overcomes resistance to conventional trastuzumab therapy.
  • TRA/GO demonstrates a promising, nontoxic, and curative potential for osteosarcoma in preclinical settings.