title: In vitro targeted imaging and delivery of camptothecin using cetuximab-conjugated multifunctional PLGA-ZnS nanoparticles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Targeted cancer therapy has been extensively developed to improve the quality of treatment by reducing the systemic exposure of cytotoxic drug. Polymeric nanoparticles with conjugated targeting agents are widely investigated because they offer tunability in particle size, drug release profile and biocompatibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we have prepared targeted multifunctional nanoparticles composed of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) matrix, ZnS:Mn(2+) quantum dots and camptothecin, and targeted them to EGF receptor overexpressing cells with a cetuximab antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physicochemical characterization of multifunctional nanoparticles showed stable particles with sizes of <200 nm. In vitro drug release and blood contact studies showed a sustained release profile, with limited hemolysis. In vitro cytotoxicity and cell uptake studies were carried out in A549, KB and MFC-7 cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, FACS, fluorescent microscopic images and spectroflourimetry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our studies revealed higher camptothecin activity and uptake in cell lines that overexpress the EGF receptor. All these results suggest that anti-EGF receptor cetuximab-conjugated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) multifunctional nanoparticles can be used as a potential nanomedicine against cancer.
authors.affiliation: Amrita Centre for Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Center, Cochin-682041, India.
authors.forename: Veerasikku Gopal
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Deepagan
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarmento
authors.forename: Deepthy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Aswathy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jayasree
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sreeranganathan
authors.forename: Manzoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koyakutty
authors.forename: Shantikumar V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Jayakumar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rangasamy
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000068818:Cetuximab; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004337:Drug Carriers; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C031238:zinc sulfide; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002166:Camptothecin