Enzyme-directed assembly of a nanoparticle probe in tumor tissue

Adv Mater. 2013 Jul 12;25(26):3599-604. doi: 10.1002/adma.201300823. Epub 2013 May 28.

Abstract

Enzyme-directed assembly in vivo: A targeting strategy is demonstrated, which leads to an active accumulation of nanoparticles by virtue of an assembly event specific to endogenous, enzymatic biochemical signals associated with tumor tissue. The viability of this approach is examined through a proof-of-concept study showing enzyme-directed particle targeting and accumulation in human xenograft tumors in mice following intravenous injection, and the retention of particles is demonstrated within tumors for extended periods of time.

Keywords: enzyme-responsive; in vivo probe; micelle; nanoparticles; peptide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Probes / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry

Substances

  • Molecular Probes
  • Peptides
  • Polymers
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9