Multifunctional lipid-coated calcium phosphate nanoplatforms for complete inhibition of large triple negative breast cancer via targeted combined therapy

Combined and targeted therapy have been extensively employed to achieve more effective elimination of tumor tissues. In this study, biocompatible multifunctional lipid-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles (LCP NPs) were designed and constructed as an efficient targeted delivery system for combined gene/photothermal therapy to inhibit growth of the triple negative breast tumor (MDA-MB-468) in vitro and in vivo. LCP NPs were functionalized with a bispecific antibody (BsAb) via non-covalent bond specific for methoxy group of PEG (mPEG) on the particle surface. This BsAb is also able to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressed on MDA-MB-468 cells. Such LCP-BsAb NPs loaded with Cell Death (CD)-siRNA and indocyanine green (ICG) were efficiently taken up by MDA-MB-468 cells, significantly inducing cell apoptosis and synergistically suppressing cell proliferation upon irradiation of 808 nm near-infrared laser. These targeted multifunctional LCP NPs more efficiently accumulated in the tumor tissue. The combined RNAi (CD-siRNA) and photothermal (ICG) therapy using the targeted LCP NPs nearly eliminated both small tumors (∼100 mm3) and large tumors (∼500 mm3) in the mouse model. Thus, the well-devised multifunctional LCP NPs are one of the most promising delivery systems for combined and targeted cancer therapy.