EGFR-Targeted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Enhance Docetaxel Efficacy in Prostate Cancer Cells

Christian Carnero Canales – P.h.D, São Paulo State University, UNESP; Karen Oliveira – P.h.D, São Paulo State University, UNESP; Thiago Scaliza – BsC student, São Pulo State University, UNESP; Alexandra Medeiros – Professor, Biosciences and Biotechnology Applied to Pharmacy, São Paulo State University, UNESP; Andréia Meneguin – Professor, Drugs and Medicines, São Paulo State University, UNESP; Fernando Pavan – Professor, Biosciences and Biotechnology Applied to Pharmacy, São Paulo State University, UNESP; Marlus Chorilli – Professor, Drugs and Medicines, São Paulo State University, UNESP; Hélder Santos – Professor, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Introduction: Cancer therapy is limited by drug toxicity, low bioavailability, and poor tumor selectivity, especially in advanced prostate cancer (PC). Docetaxel (DTX), a first-line drug for castration-resistant PC, causes severe systemic side effects (1). Nanotechnology-based delivery systems offer a promising alternative. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) provide high surface area, tunable pores, and efficient drug loading, protecting DTX and enabling controlled release (2,3). Functionalization with cetuximab (CTX) enhances targeting of EGFR-overexpressing tumors (4). Here, a CTX-conjugated DTX-loaded MSN was developed and evaluated in vitro in PC cells with different EGFR profiles.