A peptide probe enables photoacoustic-guided imaging and drug delivery to lung tumors in K-Rasla2 mutant mice

Hyunkyung Jung, Sungjo Park, Gowri Rangaswamy Gunassekaran, Mansik Jeon, Young Eun Cho, Moon Chang Baek, Jae Yong Park, Gayong Shim, Yu Kyoung Oh, In San Kim, Chulhong Kim, Byungheon Lee

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    40 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The lack of molecular targets and targeting probes remains a major drawback for targeted imaging and drug delivery in lung cancer. In this study, we exploited in vivo phage display to identify a novel targeting probe that homes to the tumor in a K-rasLA2 mutant mouse lung cancer model. Compared with other candidate peptides selected from 5 rounds of phage display, the CRQTKN peptide homed to tumor nodules in the lung of mutant mice at higher levels. Photoacoustic tomography of mutant mice detected lung tumors via tumor homing of the near-infrared fluorescence dye-labeled CRQTKN peptide. Ex vivo photoacoustic images of isolated organs further demonstrated tumor homing of the CRQTKN peptide, whereas minimal accumulation was observed in control organs, such as the liver. Compared with untargeted liposomes and doxorubicin, doxorubicin-loaded liposomes whose surface was modified with the CRQTKN peptide more efficiently delivered doxorubicin and reduced the number or size of tumor lesions in K-rasLA2 mutant mice. Analysis of hematologic parameters and liver and kidney function showed no significant systemic side effects by the treatments. Affinity-based identification was used to detect TNF receptor superfamily member 19L (TNFRSF19L), which was upregulated in lung tumors of mutant mice, as the receptor for the CRQTKN peptide. In conclusion, these results suggest that the CRQTKN peptide is a promising targeting probe for photoacoustic-guided detection and drug delivery to lung cancer, and acts by binding to TNFRSF19L.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4271-4282
    Number of pages12
    JournalCancer Research
    Volume79
    Issue number16
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019 Aug 15

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2019 American Association for Cancer Research.

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Oncology
    • Cancer Research

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'A peptide probe enables photoacoustic-guided imaging and drug delivery to lung tumors in K-Rasla2 mutant mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this