Targeting Breast Cancer Cells and Their Metastases Through Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Receptors Using Magnetic Nanoparticles

Primary tumors and metastases from human breast cancer xenografts are specifically targeted by luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) conjugated to superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) and incorporated into the cells. In vitro LHRH-bound magnetic nanoparticles accumulated in a 12-fold higher concentration than magnetite particles alone. In vivo, breast to lung metastases accumulated LHRH-SPION at concentrations dependent on the number of metastatic cells, while unconjugated particles did not accumulate in lung metastases.