Microbe-based fluorescent sensor composite for drug delivery and hepatocellular carcinoma suppression

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant clinical challenges due to late diagnosis and poor prognosis.
• Effective theranostic strategies are needed for improved early detection and personalized treatment of liver cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional fluorescent nanosystem (AL-STEROID-CHO@DCQ-ME) for targeted drug delivery and real-time HCC detection.
• To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the novel gefitinib derivative (DCQ-Me) integrated nanosystem.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel gefitinib derivative (DCQ-Me) and its integration into a multifunctional fluorescent nanosystem.
• Utilizing ratiometric fluorescence for sensitive detection of the HCC biomarker GP73.
• In vitro assays to assess the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on HCC cells.

Main Results:

• The nanosystem demonstrated sensitive detection of GP73 with a detection limit of 0.189 mmol L⁻¹ via ratiometric fluorescence (F500/F410).
• In vitro studies showed significant inhibition of HCC cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis by the AL-STEROID-CHO@DCQ-ME system.
• The system exhibited dual functionality for precise diagnostics and therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The developed AL-STEROID-CHO@DCQ-ME nanosystem offers a promising theranostic strategy for liver cancer.
• This approach has the potential to enhance early detection and enable personalized treatment of HCC.
• The study highlights the dual role of the platform in diagnostics and therapy.