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A protein nanocontainer targeting epithelial cancers: rational engineering, biochemical characterization, drug

Caroline Ladurantie1, Mathilde Coustets, Georges Czaplicki

  • 1Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 205 Route de Narbonne, BP64182, 31077 Toulouse, France. Laurent.Paquereau@ipbs.fr.

Nanoscale
|February 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Researchers optimized a protein nanocontainer for targeted epithelial cancer diagnosis and treatment. This lectin-based system effectively delivers drugs like doxorubicin to cancer cells, showing promise for nanotheranostics.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Developing effective drug delivery and imaging tools for cancer is crucial.
  • Protein nanocontainers offer potential for targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis.
  • Specific targeting of cancer markers enhances therapeutic efficacy and reduces side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To optimize a lectin protein nanocontainer for epithelial cancer diagnosis and treatment.
  • To evaluate its specific targeting of the T antigen, a marker for epithelial cancers.
  • To demonstrate its capability for controlled drug loading and release.

Main Methods:

  • Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to optimize the protein nanocontainer.
  • Doxorubicin confinement and release were studied both theoretically and experimentally.
  • The nanocontainer's efficacy was tested in OVCAR-3 cells (human ovarian adenocarcinoma).

Main Results:

  • The optimized nanocontainer specifically targets the T antigen found on epithelial cancers.
  • Controlled loading and release of doxorubicin were achieved.
  • Drug delivery into late endosomes/lysosomes of OVCAR-3 cells was confirmed.

Conclusions:

  • The optimized protein nanocontainer serves as a viable drug vectorization system for T antigen-expressing cancers.
  • This technology opens new avenues for nano-theranostic applications in cancer care.
  • Further development could lead to advanced imaging and therapeutic strategies.

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