Cetuximab-conjugated magneto-fluorescent silica nanoparticles for in vivo colon cancer targeting and imaging

Cancer Lett. 2010 Dec 18;299(1):63-71. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.08.004. Epub 2010 Sep 9.

Abstract

Magneto-fluorescent silica nanoparticles were conjugated with cetuximab for the targeting and imaging of colon cancer. In this study, cetuximab-conjugated magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles (MFSN-Ctx) could specifically target colon cancer cells that expressed EGFR on their cell membranes, and specific fluorescence was detected. MFSN-Ctx produced significant MRI signal changes in a human colon cancer xenograft mouse model. Intravenous injection of MFSN-Ctx resulted in faster uptake as compared to intraperitoneal injection, indicating that MFSN-Ctx had different kinetic properties in tumors based on the method of injection. The local concentration of MFSN-Ctx in a tumor was amplified by the use of an external magnetic field. These results demonstrate the potential application of MFSN-Ctx for the detection of EGFR-expressing colon cancer using in vivo imaging approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cetuximab
  • Colonic Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • ErbB Receptors / analysis
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Silicon Dioxide*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab