학술논문

Shiga Toxin-B Targeted Gold Nanorods for Local Photothermal Treatment in Oral Cancer Clinical Samples
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
International Journal of Nanomedicine. November 30, 2022, Vol. 17, p5747, 14 p.
Subject
Michigan
Spain
Japan
Language
English
ISSN
1178-2013
Abstract
Introduction Nanomedicine has ushered in a new era in drug delivery, improving drug stability and targeting, while reducing biodegradation. However, targeting nanomaterials efficiently to tissues and controlling their intracellular fate [...]
Introduction: A great challenge in nanomedicine, and more specifically in theranostics, is to improve the specificity, selectivity, and targeting of nanomaterials towards target tissues or cells. The topical use of nanomedicines as adjuvants to systemic chemotherapy can significantly improve the survival of patients affected by localized carcinomas, reducing the side effects of traditional drugs and preventing local recurrences. Methods: Here, we have used the Shiga toxin, to design a safe, high-affinity protein-ligand (ShTxB) to bind the globotriaosylceramide receptor (GB3) that is overexpressed on the surfaces of preneoplastic and malignant cancer cells in the head and neck tumors. Results: We find that ShTxB functionalized gold nanorods are efficiently retrotranslocated to the GB3-positive cell cytoplasms. After 3 minutes of laser radiation with a wavelength resonant with the AuNR longitudinal localized surface plasmon, the death of the targeted cancer cells is activated. Both preclinical murine models and patient biopsy cells show the non-cytotoxic nature of these functionalized nanoparticles before light activation and their treatment selectivity. Discussion: These results show how the use of nanomedicines directed by natural ligands can represent an effective treatment for aggressive localized cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Keywords: functionalized nanomaterial, natural ligand, nanoparticle targeting, squamous carcinoma, globotriaosylceramide