Selective delivery of neuropeptide Y peptides linked to magnetic particles for hyperthermia application

Abstract

Although standard treatments against cancer have achieved significant effects in growth inhibition and tumor elimination, they still cause severe side effects. Therefore, the specific targeting of cancer cells without affecting healthy tissue is currently an important desire in cancer therapy. Cell surface receptors that bind peptides are often overexpressed on tumor cells and can therefore be considered promising targets for selective tumor therapy. Here, we report on the use of neuropeptide Y receptor 1 (Y1R) specific delivery of magnetic nanoparticles. The Y1R is overexpressed in breast cancer cells including triple negative type tumors. Magnetic particles allow for hyperthermia applications for the treatment of malignant cells and have been proposed for biomedical use for several years. One of the limitations so far was selectivity and intracellular uptake into tumor cells. By using specifically modified nanoparticles and site-specific conjugation to selective peptides specific uptake into Y1R positive cells is demonstrated here.