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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
A Neovascularization and EGFR Dual-Targeting Gold Nanotheranostic System for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
Zhitao Zhu1,2, Zhengzhong Lv3, Yurong Fan1
1Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.
Abstract:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a cancer with high morbidity and mortality and faces multiple clinical challenges in early diagnosis, efficient treatment, targeted drug selection, and drug resistance. Herein, neovascularization and EGFR dual-targeting gold nanotheranostic system Bev-Au-CD(Osi) is designed and fabricated for epidermal growth factor receptror (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC treatment. This nanosystem consists of gold nanoparticle as drug nanocarrier and imaging contrast agent, Bevacizumab for targeting tumor neovascularization, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the cage for encapsulating EGFR mutant inhibitor Osimertinib. Taking advantage of the specific targeting ability of Bevacizumab to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Bev-Au-CD(Osi) nanoparticles target and accumulate at the tumor site for sensitive computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging of tumors. More notably, the sustained release of Osimertinib efficiently suppresses tumor growth through inhibiting angiogenesis and blocking the EGFR signaling pathway, significantly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of NSCLC tumor in living mice. This work provides a powerful and universal nanotheranostic system for the precise treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
Insights
A novel nanotheranostic system targets both tumor neovascularization and EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This dual-targeting approach enhances imaging and delivers Osimertinib for effective NSCLC treatment in mice.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
- Targeted therapies are crucial for managing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC.
- Developing effective drug delivery and imaging systems remains a key objective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a dual-targeting nanotheranostic system for EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
- To evaluate the theranostic capabilities of the system for imaging and treatment.
- To assess the therapeutic efficacy of the nanotheranostic system in preclinical models.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a nanotheranostic system (Bev-Au-CD(Osi)) using gold nanoparticles, Bevacizumab, and β-cyclodextrin encapsulating Osimertinib.
- Utilizing Bevacizumab to target tumor neovascularization via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
- Employing computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging for tumor visualization and assessing Osimertinib's sustained release for EGFR pathway inhibition.
Main Results:
- The Bev-Au-CD(Osi) nanoparticles successfully targeted and accumulated at tumor sites.
- Sensitive CT/PA imaging of tumors was achieved.
- Sustained release of Osimertinib effectively suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis and blocking the EGFR signaling pathway, enhancing therapeutic efficacy in mice.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanotheranostic system demonstrates potent theranostic capabilities for EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
- This system offers a promising strategy for precise tumor imaging and targeted therapy.
- The study provides a powerful and universal nanoplatform for advancing NSCLC treatment.
