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Published on: November 28, 2025
Targeted therapy of highly aggressive thyroid papillary carcinoma by AS1411-guided nanomaterials
Yinghou Wang1, Qikun Jiang2, Guozheng Liu1
1Department of General Surgery, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.
Aims:
Aggressive papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is often refractory to radioiodine therapy, and effective targeted therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. This study aimed to construct an AS1411 aptamer-guided gold nanoparticle drug delivery system loaded with doxorubicin (AS1411/AuNPs/Dox) for targeted synergistic therapy of PTC.
Materials And Methods:
The nanoplatform was synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrometry. In vitro cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and drug release assays were performed, and in vivo antitumor efficacy and biosafety were evaluated in TPC-1 xenograft mouse models.
Results:
The AS1411/AuNPs/Dox system exhibited good monodispersity, stability and dual pH/near-infrared (NIR) responsive doxorubicin release. AS1411-mediated targeting enabled selective enrichment and enhanced cytotoxicity in nucleolin-high TPC-1 cells. Combined chemo-photothermal therapy significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo with no obvious systemic toxicity, and the antitumor effect was associated with regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes.
Conclusions:
This multifunctional targeted nanoplatform exerts potent synergistic antitumor efficacy against aggressive PTC with good biosafety, providing a promising novel therapeutic strategy for radioiodine-refractory PTC.
Insights
A novel drug delivery system using AS1411 aptamer-guided gold nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin shows promise for treating aggressive papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) that is resistant to radioiodine therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Aggressive papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) frequently resists radioiodine therapy.
- There is an urgent need for effective targeted therapies for radioiodine-refractory PTC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an AS1411 aptamer-guided gold nanoparticle drug delivery system loaded with doxorubicin (AS1411/AuNPs/Dox).
- To evaluate the targeted synergistic therapeutic potential of this nanoplatform against PTC.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of the AS1411/AuNPs/Dox nanoplatform.
- In vitro evaluation of cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and drug release.
- In vivo assessment of antitumor efficacy and biosafety in TPC-1 xenograft mouse models.
Main Results:
- The nanoplatform demonstrated good monodispersity, stability, and dual pH/NIR-responsive drug release.
- AS1411-mediated targeting led to selective uptake and enhanced cytotoxicity in nucleolin-high TPC-1 cells.
- Combined chemo-photothermal therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo with minimal systemic toxicity, linked to apoptosis-related gene regulation.
Conclusions:
- The multifunctional targeted nanoplatform exhibits potent synergistic antitumor efficacy against aggressive PTC.
- This system demonstrates good biosafety, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for radioiodine-refractory PTC.
