Avidin-Biotin functionalized self-assembled protein nanoparticles as EGFR targeted therapeutics for the treatment of lung cancer: characterization and cell viability

Gefitinib targeting efficiency can be modified via enhancing its hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability by conjugating it with biotin-streptavidin conjugated Bovine serum albumin nanoparticles as a hotspot in the field of biological therapy for human cancer. The study aims to develop and characterize lyophilized Biotin-Streptavidin conjugated Bovine serum albumin nanoparticles containing Gefitinib prepared by desolvation method. As protein being the most amendable to surface functionalization were prepared by conjugating them with strongest interaction, that is, Biotin-Streptavidin. The Desolvation method is based on nanoprecipitation method that reduces the solubility of drug and polymer in aqueous solution by using desolvating agents in order to prepare protein nanoparticles that were further functionalized by biotinylation followed with streptavidin conjugation for enhancement in affinity and specificity. Protein NPs were found to be monodisperse with particle size in range of 130 +/- 5.131 and 174 +/- 3.055 with the approximate negatively surface charge zeta potential of -9 mv. The drug loading and the entrapment efficiency was found to be 16% and 74 +/- 2.64% with 8 days of sustained drug release at the physiological pH. Cytotoxicity studies after 72 h shown better cell growth inhibition with biotinylated streptavidin conjugated bovine serum albumin nanoparticles containing gefitinib with reduced side effect and more apoptosis of cells as compared to gefitinib loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles and free gefitinib.