Aims: Panitumumab (anti-Erb)-conjugated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with bosutinib (BTNB) were used to develop a targeted drug-delivery system for colon cancer cells. Materials & methods: Using carbodiimide coupling, anti-Erb was conjugated to BTNB-loaded PCL nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis were used to analyze nanoparticles. Results: According to in vitro studies, anti-Erb-BTNB-PCL nanoparticles inhibited HCT116 cells more than BTNB alone. Cell arrest at different phases was examined for apoptotic potential. An in vivo efficacy study showed that anti-Erb-BTNB-PCL nanoparticles could target tumors selectively. Conclusion: Anti-Erb-conjugated BTNB nanoparticles could specifically target colon cancer.
Keywords: CD44; HCT116; apoptosis; bosutinib; cell cycle analysis; colon cancer; polycaprolactone; scanning electron microscopy; thermogravimetric analysis; transmission electron microscopy.