Validation of Dual-Action Chemo-Radio-Labeled Nanocarriers with High Efficacy against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Shaista Ilyas, Sabri E M Sahnoun, Annika Szymura, Jonas Pes, Shahin Habib, Alexandru Florea, Laura Schäfer, Eva Miriam Buhl, Agnieszka Morgenroth, Pardes Habib, Felix M Mottaghy*, Sanjay Mathur*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Identification and selectivity of molecular targets with prolonged action for difficult-to-target cancer such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represent a persisting challenge in the precision delivery of therapeutics. In the quest to target undruggable sites, this study validates the bioavailability of polydopamine-sealed mesoporous silica nanocarriers (PDA-mSiO ) for in vivo drug delivery to TNBC. For controlled transport and release, the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin was encapsulated in mSiO nanocarriers coated with a PDA layer serving as a stimuli-responsive gatekeeper or seal. For unifying targeting and treatment modalities, these nanocarriers were covalently conjugated to a macrocyclic chelator (DOTA) and folate (FA-mSiO ) that enabled incorporation of radionuclides and identification of FR Alpha (FolRa) receptors present on TNBC cells. The robust chemical design of FA- and DOTA-functionalized PDA-coated mSiO nanocarriers constitutes mild reaction conditions to avoid the loss of surface-bound molecules. The radiolabeling studies with the theranostic pair Ga and Lu showed quantitative trends for radiochemical efficacy and purity. Nanocarriers equipped with both radiolabels and affinity ligands were optimally stable when incubated with human serum for up to 120 h ( Lu), demonstrating hydrophilicity with a partition coefficient (log ) of -3.29 ± 0.08. Specifically, when incubated with TNBC cells, the cells received significant FA-mSiO carriers, demonstrating efficient carrier internalization and time-dependent uptake. Moreover, in vivo results visualize the retention of drug-filled carriers at the tumor sites for a long time, which holds promise for therapeutic studies. This research work demonstrates for the first time the successful dual conjugation of nanocarriers through the colocation of radionuclides and anticancer drugs that is promising for both live molecular imaging and enhanced therapeutic effect for TNBC.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48963 - 48977
Number of pages15
JournalACS applied materials & interfaces
Volume15
Issue number42
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • PDA-sealed mesoporous silica nanocarriers
  • low receptor expression
  • macrocyclic chelator
  • radiotracers
  • stimuli-responsive drug delivery
  • triple-negative breast cancer

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