Targeted therapy for HCC using dumbbell-like nanoparticles conjugated to monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and cancer stem cell receptors in mice

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Nanoparticles allow early detection tumor and delivery chemotherapeutic drugs to specific site. This study aimed assess therapeutic role dumbbell-like nanoparticles conjugated with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cluster differentiation (CD) 90 (a cancer stem cell marker) in hepatocellular experimental model. included 100 mice; HCC was induced chemically 80 male Balb/c mice by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) 20 served as normal control group. Mice were divided into four groups; pathological group, mAbs-conjugated nanoparticles-treated (alone)-treated group Avastin-treated Animals sacrificed after one two months treatment for assessment response treatment. Serum samples collected analyzed alfa-feto protein (AFP), Caspase-3, VEGF-A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique alanine transaminase (ALT) aspartate (AST) automated analyzer. Liver sections animals stained hematoxylin eosin (H&E) histopathological assessment. Results There highly significant differences ( p value < 0.1 0.5) between Avastin respectively, comparison Both groups showed a decrease all serum parameters, but had more potent improvement effect when compared MAbs-conjugated also best liver architecture. Conclusion Dumbbell-like anti-CD90 novel tool target cells niche tumor.