Treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma using anti-HER2 immunonanoshells

Abstract

Reza Fekrazad2, Neda Hakimiha3, Enice Farokhi3, Mohammad Javad Rasaee4, Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani5, Katayoun AM Kalhori2, Farzaneh Sheikholeslami1 1Research & Development Department, Production and Research Division of the Pasteur Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran; 2Dental Department, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Laser Research Center, Dental Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; 3Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 5Hepatitis and AIDS Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran Background: Worldwide, oral squamous cell carcinoma (potentially mediated by HER2) is recognized as the most commonly occurring malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. Anti-HER2 nanobodies conjugated to gold-silica nanoshells and used as photothermal treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma may provide a novel therapeutic alternative to current treatment for this disease. Methods: KB epithelial or HeLaS3 cell cultures (controls) were exposed to these immunonanoshells, and plasmon resonance electron initiation specific to gold was employed to burn the tumor cells. Results: Following this treatment, significant cell death occurred in the KB tumor cell cultures while there was no evidence of cellular damage or death in the HeLaS3 cell cultures. Conclusion: These findings suggest that photothermal treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma has considerable advantages. Keywords: anti-HER2 immunonanoshells, gold-silica nanoshells, photothermal treatment, oral squamous cell carcinoma