Speaker
Description
Neoplastic diseases are among the most dangerous civilization diseases. The most commonly used methods of cancer treatment are chemotherapy and surgical resection of the tumor. The problems that doctors and scientists are still struggling with are numerous, unwanted side effects and the unfavorable location of many tumors. Alternative treatment methods are, therefore, sought, based on the controlled delivery of anti-cancer drugs, as well as on the targeting and influencing various biological mechanisms with antibodies or siRNA.
The aim of our research is to develop theranostic nanoparticles containing anti-cancer compounds (cytostatics) and targeting antibodies that can be used in the diagnosis and the treatment of inoperable, malicious tumors. Surface-modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Particles (SPIONs) were decorated with an antibody against the C-Myc protein (a proto-oncogene playing a key role in cell oncogenesis, metabolism, proliferation and apoptosis) and methotrexate (a cytostatic drug widely used in the treatment of many types of cancer). SPIONs were obtained by co-precipitation of iron oxides II and III in a solution of cationic derivative of chitosan. The antibody was attached via tosyl groups and methotrexate by EDC/NHS chemistry. The use of covalent binding of antibody and methotrexate to the surface of nanoparticles allows for the target delivery of the drug directly to cancer cells, inside which it is released, thus limiting side effects. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized physiochemically, magnetically, and visualized using STEM. The amount of the drug and antibodies attached was estimated and the release profile of the anti-cancer compound was examined. Biological tests were performed for prostate cancer cell lines: PC-3, DU 145, LNCaP in order to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles using MTT and Alamar Blue assays.
Karolina Karnas acknowledges the support of InterDokMed project no. POWR.03.02.00-00-I013/16
| Speaker Country | Poland |
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