Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Anti-HER2 Indocyanine Green-Encapsulated PEG-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles for Targeted Phototherapy of Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressed breast cancer is known to be more aggressive and resistant to medicinal treatment and therefore to whom an alternative therapeutics is needed. Indocyanine green (ICG) has been widely exploited in breast cancer phototherapy. However, drawbacks of accelerated degradation and short half-life (2–4 min) in blood seriously hamper its use in the clinic. To overcome these challenges, an anti-HER2 ICG-encapsulated polyethylene glycol-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (HIPPNPs) were developed in this study. Through the analyses of degradation rate coefficients of ICG with and without polymeric encapsulation, the photostability of HIPPNP-entrapped ICG significantly enhanced 4 folds (P < 0.05) while its thermal stabilities at 4 and 37°C significantly enhanced 5 and 3 (P < 0.05 for each) folds, respectively, under equal lighting and/or heating treatment for 48 h. The target specificity of HIPPNPs to HER2-positive cells was demonstrated based on a 6-fold (P < 0.05) enhancement of uptake efficiency of HIPPNPs in MDA-MB-453/HER2(+) cells within 4 h as compared with that in MCF7/HER2(-) cells. Moreover, the HIPPNPs with ≤ 25 μM ICG equivalent were nontoxic to cells in the absence of light illumination, and enabled to generate similar amount of singlet oxygen and hyperthermia effect as compared with that used by free ICG upon NIR irradiation. After 808 nm-laser irradiation with intensity of 6 W/cm2 for 5 min, the viability of MDA-MB-453 cells pre-treated by HIPPNPs with ≥ 5 μM ICG equivalent for 4 h significantly reduced as compared with that treated by equal concentration of free ICG (P < 0.05) and > 90% of the cells were eradicated while the dose of HIPPNPs was increased to 25 μM ICG equivalent. In summary, the developed HIPPNPs are anticipated as a feasible tool for use in phototherapy of breast cancer cells with HER2 expression.

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green lactosome has antineoplastic effects for hepatocellular carcinoma

“…We believe that the temperature increase is one of the main factors in the antitumor effects obtained in our study, because it was previously reported that PDT using ICG also had a thermal effect [ 29 ]. It seems likely that the temperature increase by PDT depends on a variety of photosensitizers including ICG.…”

A Review of Endogenous and Exogenous Contrast Agents Used in Photoacoustic Tomography with Different Sensing Configurations

“…Properties such as low toxicity, high water solubility, and high NIR absorptivity have made ICG and its derivatives a popular choice for PAT and medical diagnosis [ 38 , 96 ]. ICG has been used in fusion with different targeting affibodies to label cancer biomarkers such as HER2 [ 97 ] and B7-H3 [ 59 ] for early-cancer imaging with photodynamic therapy (PDT) capability. Strategies such as PEG conjugation and micellar formation have been employed to enhance the permeability and retention of ICG via the EPR effect.…”

A Review on Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications and Risks in Environment and Health

“…Recently, GBNs have been widely reported to have antibacterial activity with their sharp edges to bacterial membranes leading to the destruction of lipid biomolecules and oxidative stress [ 121 ]. Zhao et al speculated that [ 68 ] the antibacterial activity of GBNs is bacterial species dependent rather than gram dependent [ 122 ]. The antibacterial activity of GBNs involves several mechanisms together than an individual mechanism responsible for antibacterial activity (Table 3 and Fig.…”

“…The other techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have also shown promising results in the detection of biosensors. Compared to conventional methods, the biosensors are enabled to quantitatively detect small molecules to large biomolecules [ 68 ]. Among GBNs, GO exhibits characteristic G-band in Raman spectra along with its water solubility and biocompatibility.…”

“…More research has to be conducted as there are very few studies on the environmental risks of GBNs and their strict enforcement on the release of GBNs to mitigate the toxic effects of GBNs. Lee et al reported their findings on common scenarios (exfoliation, CVD growth and transfer) and the good practices that reduce graphene or GBNs exposure at facilities manufacturing facilities [ 68 ]. In addition to toxicity studies, GBNs especially three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon-based materials such as GO and GO-based networks have proven to have potential environmental applications.…”