The avß6 integrin - a novel target for antibody conjugated magnetic fluid hyperthermia for therapy in squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is a novel technique whereby superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are placed within and excited by an alternating magnetic field to generate heat.1 This approach for cancer therapy has previously been demonstrated in patients using direct intratumoural injection of SPIONs.2,3 We propose MFH can be delivered more effectively using antibody-targeted SPIONs. To test this hypothesis we have developed a recombinant single chain antibody fragment (scFv) to deliver SPIONs to the epithelial restricted avß6 integrin, an exciting new target in head and neck cancers.