expand: Illustration of cellular uptake mechanismSchematic illustration of the cellular uptake mechanism of 17α-ethynylestradiol functionalized nanocarriers in breast cancer cells. NPs functionalized with surface grafted 17α-ethynylestradiol selectively bind on estrogen receptors, located in the cytoplasm and within the cell membrane resulting in the release of anti-cancer drug within the cancer cell.
The RG Mathur has long-standing experience in highly reproducible and scalable synthesis of solid, hollow and mesoporous nanocarriers and their surface functionalization with target ligands [1-5]. It has made outstanding contributions to understanding of chemical processing of functional inorganic ceramics and in demonstrating their potential for a variety of applications. A receptor-mediated in vivo targeting of breast cancer cells with 17α-ethynylestradiol conjugated silica-coated gold nanoparticles high chemoselective recognition between the nano-conjugates and cell membranes in mice model [3]. The drug release studies in the tumor tissue of mice with subcutaneous breast cancer showed sustained release kinetics over several weeks. Similarly, an active receptor-mediated uptake of folic acid coated iron oxide nanocarriers by ovarian cancer cells was demonstrated.
