Tumor-Penetrating Peptide-Functionalized Ferritin Enhances Antitumor Activity of Paclitaxel.

We describe the development of a neuropilin-1 binding peptide (RGERPPR)-ferritin nanocage that specifically targets tumor cells. Herein, the tumor-penetrating peptide RGERPPR motif was modified at the C-terminal of human H chain ferritin (HFtn) using flexible linker moieties. Since the C-terminal of HFtn is positioned toward the inner cavity, relatively long linkers (GGGGS) were used, in which the MMP-2 cleavage site was inserted in the linker.

ERK-Peptide-Inhibitor-Modified Ferritin Enhanced the Therapeutic Effects of Paclitaxel in Cancer Cells and Spheroids.

Rational design of a drug delivery system with enhanced therapeutic potency is critical for efficient tumor chemotherapy. Many protein-based drug delivery platforms have been designed to deliver drugs to target sites and improve the therapeutic efficacy. In this study, paclitaxel (PTX) molecules were encapsulated within an apoferritin nanocage-based drug delivery system with the modification of an extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) peptide inhibitor at the C-terminus of ferritin (HERK).

tLyP-1 Peptide Functionalized Human H Chain Ferritin for Targeted Delivery of Paclitaxel.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to test the feasibility, targeting specificity and anticancer therapeutic efficacy of CendR motif tLyP-1 functionalized at the N-terminal of ferritin for paclitaxel (PTX) delivery.

Methods: A tumor homing and penetrating peptide tLyP-1 was fused to the N-terminal of human H chain ferritin (HFtn) to generate a dual-targeting nanoparticle delivery system. PTX molecules were encapsulated into the HFtn nanocage using the disassembly/assembly method by adjusting pHs.

Novel Paclitaxel-Loaded Nanoparticles Based on Human H Chain Ferritin for Tumor-Targeted Delivery.

Paclitaxel (PTX), an excellent chemotherapeutic antitumor drug, is widely used to treat patients with various cancers. However, its clinical applications are greatly restricted by poor solubility and lack of targeting. Herein, we applied natural human H chain ferritin (HFtn) nanocages that can bind to tumor cells via interacting with the human transferritin receptor 1 (TfR1) leading to its endocytosis as the PTX carrier for the targeted delivery.