title: Multifunctional nanoparticle-EpCAM aptamer bioconjugates: a paradigm for targeted drug delivery and imaging in cancer therapy.
abstract: The promising proposition of multifunctional nanoparticles for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics has inspired the development of theranostic approach for improved cancer therapy. Moreover, active targeting of drug carrier to specific target site is crucial for providing efficient delivery of therapeutics and imaging agents. In this regard, the present study investigates the theranostic capabilities of nutlin-3a loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles, functionalized with a targeting ligand (EpCAM aptamer) and an imaging agent (quantum dots) for cancer therapy and bioimaging. A wide spectrum of in vitro analysis (cellular uptake study, cytotoxicity assay, cell cycle and apoptosis analysis, apoptosis associated proteins study) revealed superior therapeutic potentiality of targeted NPs over other formulations in EpCAM expressing cells. Moreover, our nanotheranostic system served as a superlative bio-imaging modality both in 2D monolayer culture and tumor spheroid model. Our result suggests that, these aptamer-guided multifunctional NPs may act as indispensable nanotheranostic approach toward cancer therapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study investigated the theranostic capabilities of nutlin-3a loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles functionalized with a targeting ligand (EpCAM aptamer) and an imaging agent (quantum dots) for cancer therapy and bioimaging. It was concluded that the studied multifunctional targeted nanoparticle may become a viable and efficient approach in cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, India.
authors.forename: Manasi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, India. Electronic address: sanjeebsahoo2005@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sanjeeb K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sahoo
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C499379:EPCAM protein, human; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D007093:Imidazoles; D010879:Piperazines; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C482205:nutlin 3
keywords: EpCAM aptamer; Nanotheranostics; Nutlin-3a; PLGA NPs; Quantum dots