Doxorubicin-NFL-TBS.40-63 peptide Gold Complex Nanovector (DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs): Efficacy Evaluation in a mouse transplantation tumor model induced by PANC-1/ADR human pancreatic cancer resistant strain cells

Nanotheranostics. 2025 Jun 19;9(2):186-198. doi: 10.7150/ntno.109280. eCollection 2025.

Abstract

The key role of the NFL-TBS.40-63 peptide (BIOT-NFL) is to target and destroy glioma cancer cells. Recently we have performed a novel peptide-hybrid-gold nanovector (BIOT-NFL-PEG-AuNPs) capable to destroy microtubule network of pancreatic cancer cells (PDAC) exhibiting a decrease of tumor index with a real anti-angiogenic effect. In order to improve the scientific background of our study, we conceived a chemotherapeutic hybrid nanovector based on gold-doxorubicin (DOX) functionalized with the NFL-TBS.40-63 peptide (BIOT-NFL) as a promising therapeutic in PDAC cancer. Mouse transplantation tumor model induced by PANC-1/ADR human pancreatic cancer resistant strain cells, was used to evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs as chemotherapeutic nano-drug. Our results indicate that DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs have a great impact on the decrease of the tumor growth and decreased the tumor index with a relevant effect on cytokines and ROS levels, thus confirming the impact of DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs to boost the immune system.

Keywords: BIOT-NFL peptide; Doxorubicin; Gold Complex; PDAC; immune system..

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Doxorubicin* / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin* / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Peptide Fragments* / chemistry
  • Peptides* / chemistry

Substances

  • Doxorubicin
  • Gold
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Peptides
  • Antineoplastic Agents