Bombesin‐functionalized water‐soluble gold nanoparticles for targeting prostate cancer

Abstract

Cancer targeting can be used for both tumor diagnosis and therapy. Recently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found utility in this field as they are very small in size, and thus display an enhanced permeability and retention effect, allowing them to be taken up by tumor cells through "passive targeting." However, this accumulation is non-specific. Conversely, AuNPs functionalized with targeting entities such as peptides, antibodies, or small molecules can specifically target tumors through interaction with cancer-specific protein receptors. In this study, targeted AuNPs were developed using an azide-modified peptide that was able to react with alkyne-functionalized AuNPs through an interfacial strain-promoted azide-

Active targeting of gold nanoparticles as cancer therapeutics

“…While they generally display lower affinity towards receptors than antibodies and other proteins, peptides are gaining attention as targeting moieties due to their simplicity and rapid uptake kinetics. Many examples of using peptides to target AuNPs towards various cancers for imaging have been reported in the literature, [90][91][92][93][94][95] while surprisingly few examples exist of peptide-directed AuNP-based cancer therapeutics.…”

Biomolecule-functionalized nanoformulations for prostate cancer theranostics

“…In another work glutathione-stabilized (Au@GSH) gold nanoparticles were constructed for the delivery of platinum-based anticancer drugs in PC cells [174] . Bombesin (a tetradecapeptide isolated from the skin of the European fire-bellied toad) was functionalized with AuNPs to specifically target GRP-Rs cell surface which is expressed in a larger number in PC cells [175] . Just like Bombesin, gelatin (a biopolymer and responsive towards matrix metalloproteinases) was conjugated with DOX and was coated on AuNPs along with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for inhibiting the growth and proliferation of PC-3 cells and enzyme controlled intracellular DOX release [176] .…”

Bio‐Conjugated Advanced Materials for Targeted Disease Theranostics

“…AuNPs have been extensively used as a core for coating targeting peptides . Lee and co‐workers attached RGD (targets inflammation) to Au half‐shell nanoparticles containing methotrexate (MTX, most widely used RA therapeutic) as an improved photo‐/chemotherapy agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in collagen‐induced arthritic (CIA) mice.…”