Lipid-insertion enables targeting functionalization of paclitaxel loaded erythrocyte membrane nanoparticle by tumor-penetrating bispecific recombinant protein

 

Background

There is a great interest in targeting and penetrating of cancer cells for research or therapeutic purposes. Red blood cells (RBCs) are readily available and fully biocompatible long-circulating intravascular carriers that are amenable to chemical modifications, drug loading and reinjection. The purpose of this study was to design a tumor-targeting biocompatible drug delivery system for delivery of antitumor drugs.

Methods  

DSPE-PEG-MAL, phospholipid derivatives was used to insert into erythrocyte membrane nanoparticles. To make nanoparticles active targeting to the tumor site, a tumor-penetrating bispecific recombinant protein named anti-EGFR-iRGD was used. The characterization, bio-distribution, tumor targeting ability and antitumor activity of paclitaxel loaded anti-EGFR-iRGD modified erythrocyte membrane nanoparticle were evaluated.

Results  

In this study, anti-EGFR-iRGD-RBC-PTX nanoparticles was successfully constructed with a size of around 100 nm. A lipid-insertion method is employed to functionalize these nanoparticles without the need for direct chemical conjugation. It showed signifcantly targeted skill and increased cytotoxic effect toward both nontargeted RBC-PTX and combination of anti-EGFR-iRGD and RBC-PTX. The tissue distribution and antitumor assays in mice bearing gastric cancer xenograft confrmed the superior penetration tumor effcacy and antitumor activity of anti-EGFR-iRGD-RBC-PTX.

Conclusion

We designed and successfully prepared a novel anti-EGFR-iRGD decorated, erythrocyte membrane sourced nanoparticle for targeted drug delivery, with enhanced tumor targeting and anti-tumor effect. Anti-EGFR-iRGD-RBC-PTX represents a potential effective nanomedicine against gastric cancer.

Keywords

recombinant protein anti-EGFR-iRGD, DSPE-PEG-MAL, auto-erythrocyte membrane nanoparticle

Posted by: Huizi Sha, Resident, The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Drum-Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, China (26-May-2017)