GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN COATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES FOR TARGETED BREAST CANCER THERAPY

Studies have reported that breast cancer has become one of the most common cancers in the world. CD44 is a biomarker that is overexpressed in most types of cancer cells, including breast cancer. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), are known as binding ligands of CD44 receptor and were used as non-toxic targeting ligands in targeted cancer therapy. Gold nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be highly useful for enhancing the delivery efficacy of a wide range of compounds. In this study, AuNP-oHA and AuNP-CS were synthesized using the ‘one-pot’ synthesis method. Both AuNP-oHA and AuNP-CS exhibited selective cytotoxicity to cancerous cells, showing that these two AuNPs can be potential chemotherapeutic agents that are specific to CD44-overexpressed breast cancer therapy. Furthermore, AuNP-oHA can also be used as a targeted drug carrier due to its selective cell uptake in CD44-overexpressed cells.

Author dc:creator

• XU SHENYAO

• gold nanoparticles, glycosaminoglycans, breast cancer, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, targeted therapy