Selective intracellular vaporisation of antibody-conjugated phase-change nano-droplets in vitro

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 23:7:44077. doi: 10.1038/srep44077.

Abstract

While chemotherapy is a major mode of cancer therapeutics, its efficacy is limited by systemic toxicities and drug resistance. Recent advances in nanomedicine provide the opportunity to reduce systemic toxicities. However, drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment research. Here we developed a nanomedicine composed of a phase-change nano-droplet (PCND) and an anti-cancer antibody (9E5), proposing the concept of ultrasound cancer therapy with intracellular vaporisation. PCND is a liquid perfluorocarbon nanoparticle with a liquid-gas phase that is transformable upon exposure to ultrasound. 9E5 is a monoclonal antibody targeting epiregulin (EREG). We found that 9E5-conjugated PCNDs are selectively internalised into targeted cancer cells and kill the cells dynamically by ultrasound-induced intracellular vaporisation. In vitro experiments show that 9E5-conjugated PCND targets 97.8% of high-EREG-expressing cancer cells and kills 57% of those targeted upon exposure to ultrasound. Furthermore, direct observation of the intracellular vaporisation process revealed the significant morphological alterations of cells and the release of intracellular contents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epiregulin / immunology
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoconjugates
  • Nanomedicine
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / methods*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • EREG protein, human
  • Epiregulin
  • Nanoconjugates