Cetuximab-Polymersome-Mertansine Nanodrug for Potent and Targeted Therapy of EGFR-Positive Cancers

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Jan 10;23(1):100-111. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01065. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Abstract

Targeted nanomedicines particularly armed with monoclonal antibodies are considered to be the most promising advanced chemotherapy for malignant cancers; however, their development is hindered by their instability and drug leakage problems. Herein, we constructed a robust cetuximab-polymersome-mertansine nanodrug (C-P-DM1) for highly potent and targeted therapy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive solid tumors. C-P-DM1 with a tailored cetuximab surface density of 2 per P-DM1 exhibited a size of ca. 60 nm, high stability with minimum DM1 leakage, glutathione-triggered release of native DM1, and 6.0-11.3-fold stronger cytotoxicity in EGFR-positive human breast (MDA-MB-231), lung (A549), and liver (SMMC-7721) cancer cells (IC50 = 27.1-135.5 nM) than P-DM1 control. Notably, intravenous injection of C-P-DM1 effectively repressed subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and orthotopic A549-Luc lung carcinoma in mice without inducing toxic effects. Strikingly, intratumoral injection of C-P-DM1 completely cured 60% of mice bearing breast tumor without recurrence. This robust cetuximab-polymersome-mertansine nanodrug provides a promising new strategy for targeted treatment of EGFR-positive solid malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cetuximab* / pharmacology
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Maytansine* / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles* / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Maytansine
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab