In a significant percentage of breast cancers, increased
expression of the HER2 receptor is seen and is associated with the
spread and worsening of the disease. This research aims to investigate
the effect of miR-559 (which targets HER2 mRNA) on SKBR3 breast cancer
cells and the possibility of their effective delivery with polymeric
nanoparticles and tumor-targeting peptides. L-DOPA monomers were
polymerized on the surface of silica nanoparticles in the presence of
miR-559 (as a molecular template for molecular imprinting) then an
anti-HER2 peptide coupled to the surface of these polymeric
nanocomposites (miR-NC-NL2), and the effects of this construct against a
HER2-positive breast cancer cells (SKBR3 cells) investigated in vitro
conditions. The results showed that miR-NC-NL2 is selective for
HER2-positive cells and delivers the miR-559 to them in a targeted
manner. miR-NC-NL2 decreased the proliferation of SKBR3 cells and
reduced the expression and production of HER2 protein in these cells.
Effective and targeted delivery of miR-559 to HER2-positive cancer cells
by the miR-NC-NL2 promises the therapeutic potential of this nascent
structure based on its inhibitory effect on cancer growth and
progression. Of course, animal experiments require a better
understanding of this structures anti-tumor effects.