Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles target BxPC-3 cells and silence MUC4 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Purpose: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are excellent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Mucin 4 (MUC4) acts as pancreatic cancer (PC) tumor antigen and influences PC progression. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are used as a gene-silencing tool to treat a variety of diseases. Methods: We designed a therapeutic probe based on polyetherimide-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (PEI-SPION) combined with siRNA nanoprobes (PEI-SPION-siRNA) to assess the contrast in MRI. The biocompatibility of the nanocomposite, and silencing of MUC4 were characterized and evaluated. Results: The prepared molecular probe had a particle size of 61.7 & PLUSMN; 18.5 nm and a surface of 46.7 & PLUSMN; 0.8mV and showed good biocompatibility in vitro and T2 relaxation efficiency. It can also load and protect siRNA. PEISPION-siRNA showed a good silencing effect on MUC4. Conclusion: PEI-SPION-siRNA may be beneficial as a novel theranostic tool for PC.

Automated summary

In this study, a therapeutic probe based on polyetherimide-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (PEI-SPION) combined with siRNA nanoprobes (PEI-SPION-siRNA) was designed to assess the contrast in MRI. It showed good biocompatibility, the ability to load and protect siRNA, and a good silencing effect on MUC4.