EGFR-targeted photodynamic therapy by curcumin-encapsulated chitosan/TPP nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective therapy for cancers and is a minimally invasive therapy with low dark toxicity and limited side effects. PDT employs the combination of photosensitizers with a specific light source to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to damage tumor cells.

Methods

We fabricated nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin through crosslinking chitosan and tripolyphosphate (TPP). Additionally, the chitosan was conjugated to epidermal growth factor in order to target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), overexpressed on cancer cells. To investigate PDT using fabricated nanoparticles, we measured cell viabilities and ROS production in relation to EGFR-overexpressing gastric cancer cells and non-cancer gastric cells.

Results

The

SUBMITTER: Tsai WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5810525 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature