Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Near Infra Red quantum dots for HER2 localisation and cancer imaging

2^nd International Conference on Nanotek and Expo

December 3-5, 2012 DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, USA

Sarwat B Rizvi, Sepideh Rouhi, Shohei Taniguchi, Shi Yu Yang, Arnold Darbyshire, Mark Green, Alexander M Seifalian and Mohammad Keshtgar

Posters: J Nanomed Nanotechol

Abstract:

Background: Quantum Dots (QDs) are fluorescent nanoparticles with unique photophysical properties that allow them to be used as diagnostic, therapeutic and theranostic agents particularly in medical and surgical oncology. Near infrared (NIR) emitting QDs can be visualised in deep tissues as the biological window is transparent to these wavelengths. Their small sizes and free surface reactive groups that can be conjugated to biomolecules make then ideal probes for in vivo cancer localisation, targeted chemotherapy and image guided cancer surgery. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 18- 20% of breast cancers. The current methods of detection of HER2 status including immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence In situ Hybridization are used for ex-vivo detection of HER2 status and cannot be used in vivo. In this paper, we have demonstrated the application of a NIR emitting QD for HER2 localisation in fixed and live cancer cells as a first step prior to their in vivo application. Materials & Methods: NIR-QDs were characterized and there in vitro toxicity established using three cancer cell lines including HepG2, SK-BR3 (HER2-over expressing) and MCF-7 (HER2-underexpressing). Mouse antihuman anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody was conjugated to NIR-QDs. Results: In vitro toxicity showed biocompatibility of SKBR3 and MCF-7cell lines with NIR-QDs at a concentration of 60μg/mL at 1 and 24h of exposure. NIR-QD-antiHER2-Ab bio-conjugates successfully localised HER2 receptors on SK-BR3 cells. Conclusion: NIR-QD bio-conjugates can be used for a rapid localisation of HER2 receptors and can potentially be used for targeted therapy as well as image guided surgery.