MUC1-Targeted Cancer Cell Photothermal Ablation Using Bioinspired Gold Nanorods

Recent studies have highlighted the overexpression of mucin 1 (MUC1) in various epithelial carcinomas and its role in tumorigenesis. These mucins present a novel targeting opportunity for nanoparticle-mediated photothermal cancer treatments due to their unique antenna-like extracellular extension. In this study, MUC1 antibodies and albumin were immobilized onto the surface of gold nanorods using a “primer” of polydopamine (PD), a molecular mimic of catechol- and amine-rich mussel adhesive proteins. PD forms an adhesive platform for the deposition of albumin and MUC1 antibodies, achieving a surface that is stable, bioinert and biofunctional. Two-photon luminescence confocal and darkfield scattering imaging revealed targeting of MUC1-BSA-PD-NRs to MUC1(+) MCF-7 breast cancer and SCC-15 squamous cell carcinoma cells lines. Treated cells were exposed to a laser encompassing the near-infrared AuNR longitudinal surface plasmon and assessed for photothermal ablation. MUC1-BSA-PD-NRs substantially decreased cell viability in photoirradiated MCF-7 cell lines vs. MUC1- MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (p < 0.005). Agents exhibited no cytotoxicity in the absence of photothermal treatment. The facile nature of the coating method, combined with targeting and photoablation efficacy, are attractive features of these candidate cancer nanotherapeutics.