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Shine bright, then fight: lectin-decorated gold nanostars for cancer theranostics
Olga A Kolesnikova1, Averyan V Pushkarev1, Maxim P Nikitin2
1Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Kulakova Str. 20, 123592 Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
Targeted drug delivery, including nanoparticle-based methods, offers promise for addressing traditional oncology challenges, however, cancers like triple-negative breast cancer lack common targets such as HER2, progesterone, and estrogen receptors. Developing targeted drugs based on non-classical receptor interactions is crucial for effective delivery across all tumor types. For example, altered glycosylation profiles in cancer cells can guide nanoparticles for chemo/photosensitizing treatments. Here we show that lectin-modified gold nanoparticles are effective agents for cancer theranostics. 70 nm gold nanostars, AuNS, possessing NIR-triggered photothermal properties were modified with a spectrum of phytolectins, allowing AuNS to interact with an altered glycosylation profile of cancer cells. Flow cytometry screening revealed that soybean agglutinin, SBA, is the best lectin for AuNS targeted delivery. In vitro toxicity studies demonstrated that 100% cell death was achieved for cells labeled with AuNS-SBA and irradiated with NIR light. In vivo studies confirmed that i.v.-administered fluorescent AuNS-SBA efficiently accumulated in BALB/c tumor allografts and generated a bright fluorescent signal in tumors. Moreover, after a single session of photothermal therapy, AuNS-SBA led to 100% tumor growth inhibition for large solid tumors (more than 200 mm3). The obtained results demonstrate that lectin-decorated AuNS hold the potential to enhance targeted delivery and cancer theranostics.
Insights
Researchers developed lectin-decorated gold nanostars (AuNS) for targeted cancer therapy. Soybean agglutinin-modified AuNS effectively targeted cancer cells and achieved 100% tumor growth inhibition via photothermal therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Targeted drug delivery faces challenges in cancers lacking specific receptors, like triple-negative breast cancer.
- Altered glycosylation patterns on cancer cells present a potential target for non-classical receptor interactions.
- Nanoparticle-based approaches offer promise for overcoming traditional oncology limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate lectin-modified gold nanostars (AuNS) for targeted cancer theranostics.
- To investigate the efficacy of AuNS functionalized with phytolectins for targeting cancer cells with altered glycosylation.
Main Methods:
- Gold nanostars (AuNS) were synthesized and modified with various phytolectins.
- Flow cytometry was used to screen lectins for optimal AuNS targeting of cancer cells.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays and in vivo studies in BALB/c mice with tumor allografts were performed.
Main Results:
- Soybean agglutinin (SBA) was identified as the most effective lectin for AuNS targeted delivery.
- AuNS-SBA demonstrated 100% cancer cell death in vitro upon near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation.
- In vivo studies showed efficient tumor accumulation of fluorescent AuNS-SBA and 100% inhibition of large tumor growth after a single photothermal therapy session.
Conclusions:
- Lectin-decorated AuNS, specifically AuNS-SBA, show significant potential for enhancing targeted drug delivery in cancer theranostics.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for treating challenging cancers like triple-negative breast cancer.
- Targeting altered glycosylation via lectin-nanoparticle interactions represents a viable pathway for effective cancer treatment.
