Title:Specific Targeting of Breast Cancer Cells with Antibodies Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles
VOLUME: 8 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Zahrah Alhalili, Joe Shapter*, Daniela Figueroa and Barbara Sanderson
Affiliation:Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Science and Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Science and Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001
Keywords:Gold nanoparticles, paclitaxel, EpCAM, TARP, antibodies, cytotoxicity, drug delivery.
Abstract:Background and Objective: Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) conjugated with either EpCAM or
TARP antibodies and an anticancer agent, paclitaxel (PTX), for tumour targeting and therapy were
synthesised using a simple chemistry.
Methods: The AuNP surface was functionalised using a two-step modification approach. The conjugates
were characterised using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectroscopy.
Results: The cytotoxicity assay of T47D cells treated with only antibodies conjugated to the gold
nanoparticles did not show any cytotoxicity to the cells, which indicates these nanoconjugates are suitable
for intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs.
Conclusion: When using AuNPs with antibodies and the cancer chemotherapy agent PTX attached
simultaneously to the functionalised AuNPs, the reduction of cell viability was significantly higher
compared to PTX-thiol-AuNPs conjugate system where no antibodies were used.
