Development of U11-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Selective Targeting of Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

The functionalization of colloidal nanoparticles with short peptides often fails in achieving satisfactory targeting efficiency and selectivity toward receptor-specific human cells. Here, we show that an optimized passivation of gold nanoparticle surface with a mixed self-assembled monolayer, including a targeting ligand, a fluorescent dye, and an intercalating short PEG derivative, led to a very stable, nontoxic, and efficient nanoconjugate for targeting urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-positive breast cancer cells.

Active targeting of gold nanoparticles as cancer therapeutics

“…While they generally display lower affinity towards receptors than antibodies and other proteins, peptides are gaining attention as targeting moieties due to their simplicity and rapid uptake kinetics. Many examples of using peptides to target AuNPs towards various cancers for imaging have been reported in the literature, [90][91][92][93][94][95] while surprisingly few examples exist of peptide-directed AuNP-based cancer therapeutics.…”

Does conjugation strategy matter? Cetuximab-conjugated gold nanocages for targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells

“…Different researchers have shown that NP stability and targeting efficiency directly depend on the ratio between the targeting molecule and PEG coating on the NP surface. 39,40 Within this strategy, we could choose between two different protocols for CTX conjugation. In the rst protocol, AuNCs could be sequentially reacted with OPSS-PEG-mAb, followed by HS-PEG addition, 41 while the second one involved the simultaneous addition of OPSS-PEG-mAb and shorter HS-PEG to AuNCs.…”

Polymeric biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles labeled with peptides for imaging in ovarian cancer

“…It has been reported that specific peptides recognize the tumor and cancer cells more effectively for cancer therapy. In a recent study, biocompatible AuNPs labelled with fluorescent dye and functionalized with U11 peptide were used in targeting of uPAR (20). New treatment strategies based on iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have tumor diagnostic and therapeutic potential (21)(22)(23)(24).…”