Nanotechnology-assisted intracellular delivery of antibody as a precision therapy approach for KRAS-driven tumors

• Published in: Journal of controlled release Vol. 373; pp. 277 - 292
• Main Authors: López-Estévez, Ana M., Sanjurjo, Lucía, Turrero, Ángela, Arriaga, Iker, Abrescia, Nicola G.A., Poveda, Ana, Jiménez-Barbero, Jesús, Vidal, Anxo, Torres, Dolores, Alonso, María José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2024
• Subjects: cancer; Intracellular; KRAS; mAb/monoclonal antibody; Nanotechnology; Targeted delivery; KRAS; cancer; Intracellular; mAb/monoclonal antibody; Targeted delivery; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.032

The Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus (KRAS) oncoprotein, one of the most prevalent mutations in cancer, has been deemed undruggable for decades. The hypothesis of this work was that delivering anti-KRAS monoclonal antibody (mAb) at the intracellular level could effectively target the KRAS oncoprotein. To reach this goal, we designed and developed tLyP1-targeted palmitoyl hyaluronate (HAC16)-based nanoassemblies (HANAs) adapted for the association of bevacizumab as a model mAb. Selected candidates with adequate physicochemical properties (below 150 nm, neutral surface charge), and high drug loading capacity (>10%, w/w) were adapted to entrap the antiKRASG12V mAb. The resulting antiKRASG12V-loaded HANAs exhibited a bilayer composed of HAC16 polymer and phosphatidylcholine (PC) enclosing a hydrophilic core, as evidenced by cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Selected prototypes were found to efficiently engage the target KRASG12V and, inhibit proliferation and colony formation in KRASG12V-mutated lung cancer cell lines. In vivo, a selected formulation exhibited a tumor growth reduction in a pancreatic tumor-bearing mouse model. In brief, this study offers evidence of the potential to use nanotechnology for developing anti-KRAS precision therapy and provides a rational framework for advancing mAb intracellular delivery against intracellular targets. [Display omitted] •The HANAs technology represents a new strategy for the intracellular delivery of mAbs and, notably, antiKRASG12V mAb.•The HANAs' surface can be functionalized with the tumor-penetrating peptide tLyP1.•The antiKRASG12V mAb-HANAs technology was able to engage the KRASG12V oncoprotein and exhibit a significant reduction in tumor growth in vivo.