Targeted Biocompatible Nanoparticles for the Delivery of (−)-Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate to Prostate Cancer Cells
作者:Vanna Sanna、Gianfranco Pintus、Anna Maria Roggio、Stefania Punzoni、Anna Maria Posadino、Alessandro Arca、Salvatore Marceddu、Pasquale Bandiera、Sergio Uzzau、Mario Sechi
DOI:10.1021/jm1013715
日期:2011.3.10
Molecular targeted cancer therapy mediated by nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising strategy to overcome the lack of specificity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In this context, the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has demonstrated a powerful potential for the management of prostate cancer (PCa). Cancer chemoprevention by phytochemicals is emerging as a suitable approach for the treatment of early carcinogenic processes. Since (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) has shown potent chemopreventive efficacy for PCa, we designed and developed novel targeted NPs in order to selectively deliver EGCG to cancer cells. Herein, to explore the recent concept of "nanochemoprevention", we present a study on EGCG-loaded NPs consisting of biocompatible polymers, functionalized with small molecules targeting PSMA, that exhibited a selective in vitro efficacy against PSMA-expressing PCa cells. This approach could be beneficial for high risk patients and would fulfill a significant therapeutic need, thus opening new perspectives for novel and effective treatment for PCa.