Targeted drug delivery enhances drug efficiency and selectivity
without affecting normal cells. Luminescent nanoparticles can be used
for tumor imaging as well as selective tumor targeting for drug
delivery. In this research, LaVO4 :Eu3+ was
synthesized, the luminescent nanocrystal was coated by surface
polymerization of levodopa in the presence of Paclitaxel (PTX), and then
NL2 peptide was coupled on the surface of polymer-coated luminescent
nanoparticles. Next, the capability of the modified drug was examined by
in vitro and in vivo experiments. MTT assay on SK-BR-3 cell line (as
breast cancer cells) and fluorescent microscopy results indicate that
this modification decreases significantly drug toxicity and increases
its selectivity. In addition, in vivo experiments confirm more
capability of the NL2-functionalized nanocomposite for reducing tumor
size, drug distribution in the body, and more aggregation of PTX in
tumor tissue. Overall, it is concluded that tumor imaging is possible
using luminescent LaVO4 :Eu3+ core and NL2 peptide
increases significantly the specificity of PTX in combination with a
functionalized luminescent polymeric carrier.