Biodistribution and Pharmacokinetics of EGFR-Targeted Thiolated Gelatin Nanoparticles Following Systemic Administration in Pancreatic Tumor-Bearing Mice

The objective of this study was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative biodistribution of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted thiolated type B gelatin nanoparticles in vivo in subcutaneous human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Panc-1) bearing female SCID Beige mice. EGFR-targeted nanoparticles showed preferential and sustained accumulation in the tumor mass, especially at early time points. Higher blood concentrations and higher tumor accumulations were observed with PEG-modified and EGFR-targeted nanoparticles during the study (AUC(last): 17.38 and 19.56%ID/mL.h in blood, 187 and 322%ID/g.h in tumor for PEG-modified and EGFR-targeted nanoparticles, respectively), as compared to control, unmodified particles (AUC(last): 10.71%ID/mL.h in blood and 138%ID/g.h in tumor). EGFR-targeted nanoparticles displayed almost twice tumor targeting efficiency than either PEG modified or the unmodified nanoparticles, highlighting the efficacy of the active targeting strategy. In conclusion, this study shows that EGFR-targeted and PEG modified nanoparticles were suitable vehicles for specific systemic delivery in subcutaneous Panc-1 tumor xenograft models.