Targeted photothermal ablation of murine melanomas with melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog-conjugated hollow gold nanospheres.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To develop melanoma-targeted hollow gold nanospheres (HAuNS) and evaluate their potential utility for selective photothermal ablation in melanoma.

Experimental design

A new class of photothermal coupling agents based on HAuNS was synthesized. HAuNS were stabilized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating and attached with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) analog, [Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha-MSH (NDP-MSH), which is a potent agonist of melanocortin type-1 receptor overexpressed in melanoma. The intracellular uptake of the NDP-MSH-conjugated PEGylated HAuNS (NDP-MSH-PEG-HAuNS) and the distribution of beta-arrestin were examined in murine B16/F10 melanoma cells. The biodistribution of NDP-MSH-PEG-HAuNS was assessed at 4 hours post i.v. injection in tumor-bearing nude mice.

SUBMITTER: Lu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2727065 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature