Evaluation of EGFR-targeted radioimmuno-gold-nanoparticles as a theranostic agent in a tumor animal model

This study evaluated the tumor targeting and therapeutic efficacy of a novel theranostic agent I-131-labeled immuno-gold-nanoparticle (I-131-C225-AuNPs-PEG) for high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressed A549 human lung cancer. Confocal microscopy demonstrated the specific uptake of C225-AuNPs-PEG in A549 cells. I-131-C225-AuNPs-PEG induced a significant reduction in cell viability, which was not observed when incubated with AuNPs-PEG and C225-AuNPs-PEG. MicroSPECT/CT imaging of tumor-bearing mice after intravenous injection of I-123-C225-AuNPs-PEG revealed significant radioactivity retention in tumor suggested that I-131-labeled C225-conjugated radioimmuno-gold-nanoparticles may provide a new approach of targeted imaging and therapy towards high EGFR-expressed cancers. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.