Cancer Nanotechnology Treatment through Folate Conjugated Gold,Nanoparticles

Here, we report our research on the optimum design, in vitro tests and in vivo applications of folate-conjugated gold nanoparticles (nanoconjugates) for selective targeting of folate receptor positive cancerous cells, which over express folate-receptor on their surface. Significantly high light absorption of these new nanoconjugate makes them promising materials for photo-activated cancer therapy and thermal ablation of tumors. We have produced two nanoconjugates made of folate and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) with various linkers. We have used them for in vitro selective cancer cells targeting and destruction with excellent results. Experiments were conducted on human adenocarcinoma HeLa cell chosen as the model cancer cell line because of its folate-receptor over expression. In addition, MCF7 cell line was used as control because of its low level of folate-receptor expression. Following photothermal treatment, more than 95 % cell killing was achieved for HeLa cells. The following specific subjects will be reported here: 1) Synthesis and characterization and optimum design of folate-conjugated AuNPs using different linkers. 2) Our In vitro examination of the effects of light-particle interaction on cell lethality and optimization of the choice of linker and shape and size of gold nanoparticle. 3) Our ongoing In vivo research into ways to reduce the folate-conjugated gold nanoparticles antigenicity, increasing their hydrodynamic size, and studying their cytotoxicity