Naposomes: a New Class of peptide-derivatized, target-selective Multimodal Nanoparticles for Imaging and Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Modified supramolecular aggregates for selective delivery of contrast agents and/or drugs are examined with a focus on a new class of peptide-derivatized nanoparticles: naposomes. These nanoparticles are based on the co-aggregation of two different amphiphilic monomers that give aggregates of different shapes and sizes (micelles, vesicles and liposomes) with diameters ranging between 10 and 300 nm. Structural properties and in vitro and in vivo behaviors are discussed. For the high relaxitivity values (12–19 mM-1s-1) and to detect for the presence of a surface-exposed peptide, the new peptide-derived supramolecular aggregates are very promising candidates as target-selective MRI contrast agents. The efficiency of surface-exposed peptides in homing these nanovectors to a specific target introduces promising new opportunities for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents with high specificity toward the biological target and reduced toxic side effects on nontarget organs.

Peptide-modified liposomes for selective targeting of bombesin receptors overexpressed by cancer cells: a potential theranostic agent

“…Moreover, the authors also studied liposomes prepared by co-aggregation of a synthetic amphiphilic monomer containing both the bioactive peptide and the chelating agent, with commercial phospholipids. In both cases, targeted nanocarriers engineered to conjugate imaging and therapeutic functions [20][21][22][23][24] were obtained for potential theranostic applications. Derivatized nanosystems, capable of diagnosis, drug delivery, and monitoring of therapeutic response, are expected to play a significant role in the dawning era of personalized medicine.…”

Octreotide labeled aggregates containing platinum complexes as nanovectors for drug delivery

“…More recently, liposomes have also been obtained employing synthetic amphiphilic monomers opportunely designed to introduce special functions on the final aggregate such as targeting molecules or metal complexes acting as contrast agents in MRI or in nuclear medicine [28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Now, we have obtained new supramolecular aggregates by self-assembling, in water solution, a synthetic amphiphilic monomer containing a platinum complex, a long PEG chain, and a hydrophobic moiety with two C18 alkyl chains.…”

Peptide-based targeting strategies for simultaneous imaging and therapy with nanovectors

“…48,49 Naposomes were obtained by combining an amphiphilic monomer which contains a hydrophobic moiety, a PEG spacer and a peptide, with another monomer based on the same hydrophobic moiety with a chelating agent for metal complexation. Bioactive peptides chosen for naposome assembly (CCK8, 50,51 7-14-bombesin (BN) 52-54 and octreotide [55][56][57] ) are well-known endogenous (CCK8 and BN) or artificial (octreotide) ligands for membrane receptors (cholecystokinin, GRP and somatostatin) that are overexpressed by the cells of several human cancers.…”