Currently, multifunctional nanotechnology is strongly expected to improve the prospect of treatment and diagnosis. In this study, we synthesized epidermal growth factor (EGFR)-targeted phase-changeable polymer nanoparticles (C-HPNs) loaded with two drugs (C225 and 10-HCPT) for specific tumor targeting, synergistic chemotherapy, and ultrasound imaging under low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). Cetuximab (C225), an EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody, was conjugated on the surface of the nanoparticles, leading to a significantly high binding affinity to EGFR-overexpressing anaplastic thyroid C643 cells both in vitro and in vivo. As expected, an increase of more than 3- to 4-fold in the release rates of 10-HCPT was observed after LIFU irradiation in vitro, demonstrating that LIFU could enhance the release of drugs from the nanoparticles. Combined treatment with C-HPNs and LIFU showed excellent inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro, as well as a remarkable therapeutic effect in vivo. Moreover, the combined treatment simultaneously enhanced ultrasound imaging by LIFU-induced acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV). In conclusion, C225-modified and phase-changeable nanoparticles combined with LIFU exhibited great promise for concurrent targeted ultrasound molecular imaging and effective synergistic antitumor therapy.
[1]Jilin Univ, Dept Ultrasound, China Japan Union Hosp, Changchun 130033, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[2]Chongqing Med Univ, Inst Ultrasound imaging, Chongqing 400010, Peoples R China.
(8.0+极速模式)