Active targeting of cancer cells by CD44 binding peptide-functionalized oil core-based nanocapsules

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Tumor targeting selectivity is a critical challenge in cancer therapy.
• Surface functionalization of drug delivery systems with tumor-targeting moieties is a key strategy.
• The CD44 receptor, overexpressed in many tumors, is a validated target using CD44 binding peptides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer oil core-polymer multilayer nanocapsules functionalized with CD44 binding peptides for targeted cancer drug delivery.
• To optimize nanocarrier features including size, drug loading, antifouling, and biodegradability.
• To evaluate the selective accumulation and internalization of these nanocapsules in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• Development of oil core-polymer multilayer nanocapsules.
• Functionalization of nanocapsule surfaces with CD44 binding peptides.
• Optimization of nanocarrier physicochemical properties (size, distribution, loading).
• In vitro biological testing using curcumin as a model drug and fluorescent tag.

Main Results:

• Successfully created nanocapsules with optimized features (down to 100 nm, narrow size distribution).
• Demonstrated selective accumulation and internalization of CD44 binding peptide-functionalized nanocapsules in cancer cells.
• Confirmed ligand-receptor binding as the mechanism for targeted delivery.

Conclusions:

• CD44 binding peptide-functionalized nanocapsules represent a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy.
• The developed system enables efficient delivery of therapeutic compounds to CD44-expressing tumors.
• This approach enhances drug delivery selectivity and potentially improves treatment efficacy.