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Nanoscale Au@SiO2-drug/VEGF as an in vivo probe for osteosarcoma diagnosis and therapy
Tiangui Chen1, Tianbo Li1, Jiangning Wang1
1Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma is a common primary bone malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of only 20-30% in patients undergoing surgical treatment. Thus, it is important to identify novel methods for diagnosing and treating osteosarcoma, which was the aim of the present study. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was used as the tumor-targeting protein to synthesize a multifunctional core-shell nanostructure, Au@SiO2-drug/VEGF, in which the drug can be indocyanine green (ICG; as an optical tracer) or doxorubicin (DOX; as a chemotherapeutic agent). With VEGF as the osteosarcoma-targeting protein, Au exhibited optimal photothermal transformation performance, while SiO2 served as the carrier for the drug. Au@SiO2-ICG/VEGF nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated for imaging and for the monitoring of drug accumulation in a tumor region in mice. Once the optimal drug accumulation was achieved, combined treatment of osteosarcoma (chemotherapy and photothermal therapy) was assessed. In the perioperative period associated with minimal invasive embolization of osteosarcoma, photothermal therapy and chemotherapy were applied for osteosarcoma diagnosis using Au@SiO2-DOX/VEGF NPs. Taken together, the results of the present study provide a promising strategy for tumor detection prior to surgical treatment to improve the survival outcome of patients with osteosarcoma.
Insights
This study developed novel nanoparticles targeting osteosarcoma using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These nanoparticles combine chemotherapy and photothermal therapy for improved diagnosis and treatment of bone cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma has a poor prognosis, necessitating new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- Current treatments for osteosarcoma have limited efficacy, highlighting the need for innovative approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional core-shell nanostructure for targeted osteosarcoma diagnosis and treatment.
- To utilize vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for specific tumor targeting.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Au@SiO2-drug/VEGF nanoparticles, where VEGF targets the tumor, Au provides photothermal properties, and SiO2 carries drugs like indocyanine green (ICG) or doxorubicin (DOX).
- Evaluation of Au@SiO2-ICG/VEGF nanoparticles for in vivo imaging and drug accumulation monitoring in osteosarcoma mouse models.
- Assessment of combined chemotherapy and photothermal therapy using Au@SiO2-DOX/VEGF nanoparticles for perioperative treatment.
Main Results:
- Au@SiO2-ICG/VEGF nanoparticles demonstrated effective tumor targeting and drug accumulation for imaging.
- Combined chemotherapy and photothermal therapy showed promise in treating osteosarcoma in preclinical models.
- The developed nanostructure facilitated osteosarcoma diagnosis and treatment in the perioperative period.
Conclusions:
- The study presents a promising nanoplatform for enhanced osteosarcoma detection and treatment.
- VEGF-targeted nanoparticles offer a novel strategy to improve patient survival outcomes for osteosarcoma.

