Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to Gynecological Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers and is one of the major cause of deaths in women, especially in underdeveloped countries. The patients are usually treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, these treatments can cause several side effects and may lead to infertility. Another concerning gynecologic cancer is endometrial cancer, in which a high number of patients present a poor prognosis with low survival rates. AS1411, a DNA aptamer, increases anticancer therapeutic selectivity, and through its conjugation with gold nanoparticles (AS1411-AuNPs) it is possible to improve the anticancer effects. Therefore, AS1411-AuNPs are potential drug carriers for selectively delivering therapeutic drugs to cervical cancer. In this work, we used AS1411-AuNPs as a carrier for an acridine orange derivative (C8) or Imiquimod (IQ). The AS1411 aptamer was covalently bound to AuNPs, and each drug was associated via supramolecular assembly. The final nanoparticles presented suitable properties for pharmaceutical applications, such as small size, negative charge, and favorable drug release properties. Cellular uptake was characterized by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, and effects on cellular viability were determined by MTT assay. The nanoparticles were then incorporated into a gel formulation of polyethylene glycol, suitable for topical application in the female genital tract. This gel showed promising tissue retention properties in Franz cells studies in the porcine vaginal epithelia. These findings suggest that the tested nanoparticles are promising drug carriers for cervical cancer therapy.

Aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles and their diagnostic and therapeutic roles in cancer

“…In cervical cancer, one study ( Lopes-Nunes et al, 2021 ) covalently bound the AS1411 aptamer with AuNPs as the carrier of acridine orange derivative (C8) or imiquimod (IQ) ( Figure 3A ). Upon final synthesis, the nanoparticles possess characteristics that are suitable for drug applications, such as small size, negative charge, and effective release of drugs.…”

Progress in cancer drug delivery based on AS1411 oriented nanomaterials

“…Although AS1411 has been withdrawn from clinical trials at present, the development of AS1411 nanomaterial complexes as targeted molecules can make significant contributions to the research related to cancer treatment, so the research on its structural optimization and the role of its nanomaterial is still very hot [ 176 , 249 – 257 ]. The following new studies of AS1411 have been reported in recent 6 months, which proves that although AS1411 has been developed for many years, the functional development of its nanocomposites is still a hot research issue at the present stage.…”

DNA‐Based Nanoarchitectures as Eminent Vehicles for Smart Drug Delivery Systems

“…Other functional molecules can be further connected to the conjugates. [150,151] Gold nanoparticles absorb visible light due to the excitation of surface plasmon resonance, and the absorption wavelength depends on particle size. Gold nanorods are still more eminent for DDS, since their absorption peaks cover near-infrared region and overlap with the transmission window of biological tissues.…”