Evaluation of the tumor-targeting specific imaging and killing effect of a CEA-targeting nanoparticle in colorectal cancer

Qingzhao Feng; Shu-An Wang; Beibei Ning; Jixian Xie; Jie Ding; Song Liu; Shichao Ai; Fuchao Li; Xuerui Wang; Wenxian Guan

doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150084

Evaluation of the tumor-targeting specific imaging and killing effect of a CEA-targeting nanoparticle in colorectal cancer

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024 May 8:719:150084. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150084. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Qingzhao Feng¹, Shu-An Wang², Beibei Ning³, Jixian Xie⁴, Jie Ding⁵, Song Liu⁵, Shichao Ai⁵, Fuchao Li⁶, Xuerui Wang⁷, Wenxian Guan⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China.
² Department of Clinic Nutrition, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China.
³ Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210011, China.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, China.
⁵ Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China.
⁶ Department of Gerontology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008,China.
⁷ State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, China. Electronic address: x.wang@njtech.edu.cn.
⁸ Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China. Electronic address: drguanwenxian@126.com.

PMID: 38733742
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150084

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent digestive malignancy with significant global mortality and morbidity rates. Improving diagnostic capabilities for CRC and investigating novel therapeutic approaches are pressing clinical imperatives. Additionally, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has emerged as a highly promising candidate for both colorectal tumor imaging and treatment.

Methods: A novel active CEA-targeting nanoparticle, CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt, was designed and synthesized, which served as a tumor-specific fluorescence agent to help in CRC near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging. In cell studies, CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt exhibited specific targeting to RKO cells through specific antibody-antigen binding of CEA, resulting in distribution both within and around these cells. The tumor-targeting-specific imaging capabilities of the nanoparticle were determined through in vivo fluorescence imaging experiments. Furthermore, the efficacy of the nanoparticle in delivering chemotherapeutics and its killing effect were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

Results: The CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt nanoparticle, designed as a novel targeting agent for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), exhibited dual functionality as a targeting fluorescent agent. This CEA-targeting nanoparticle showed exceptional efficacy in eradicating CRC cells in comparison to individual treatment modalities. Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional biosafety and biocompatibility properties. CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt exhibits significant promise due to its ability to selectively target tumors through NIR fluorescence imaging and effectively eradicate CRC cells with minimal adverse effects in both laboratory and in vivo environments.

Conclusion: The favorable characteristics of CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt offer opportunities for its application in chemotherapeutic interventions, tumor-specific NIR fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence-guided surgical procedures.

Keywords: Cisplatin; Drug delivery; Indocyanine green; MCM-48; Mesoporous silicas; Near-infrared fluorescence.