Ionizing radiation attracts tumor targeting and apoptosis by radiotropic lysyl oxidase traceable nanoparticles

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a cell-secreted amine oxidase that crosslinks collagen and elastin in extracellular microenvironment. LOX-traceable nanoparticles (LOX_ab-NPs) consisting of LOX antibodies (LOX_ab) and paclitaxel, can accumulate at high concentrations at radiation-treated target sites, as a tumor-targeting drug carrier for chemotherapy. Tumor-targeting and anticancer effects of PLGA based LOX_ab-NPs in vitro and in vivo were evaluated at radiation-targeted site. In the in vivo A549 lung carcinoma xenograft model, we showed highly specific tumor targeting (above 7.0 times higher) of LOX_ab-NPs on irradiated tumors. Notably, systemically administered NPs delayed tumor growth, reducing tumor volumes by more than 2 times compared with non-irradiated groups (222% vs. >500%) over 2 weeks. Radiotropic LOX_ab-NPs can serve as chemotherapeutic vehicles for combined targeted chemo-radiotherapy in clinical oncology.