Enhanced drug targeting by attachment of an anti αv integrin antibody to doxorubicin loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles

Specific transport of anti-cancer drugs into tumor cells may result in increased therapeutic efficacy and decreased adverse events. Expression of alpha v beta 3 integrin is enhanced in various types of cancer and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against alpha v beta 3 integrins hold promise for anti-cancer therapy. DI17E6 is a monoclonal antibody directed against alpha v integrins that inhibits growth of melanomas in vitro and in vivo and inhibits angiogenesis due to interference with alpha v beta 3 integrins. Here, DI17E6 was covalently coupled to human serum albumin nanoparticles. Resulting nanoparticles specifically targeted alpha v beta 3 integrin positive melanoma cells. Moreover, doxorubicin loaded DI17E6 nanoparticles showed increased cytotoxic activity in alpha v beta 3-positive melanoma cells than the free drug. Therefore, DI17E6-coupled human serum albumin nanoparticles represent a potential delivery system for targeted drug transport into alpha v beta 3-positive cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.