siRNA delivered by EGFR-specific scFv sensitizes EGFR-TKI-resistant human lung cancer cells.

In this study, we developed an EGFR-scFv-arginine nonamer peptide fusion protein, s-9R, as an siRNA carrier. Here, we show that s-9R effectively and specifically delivers EGFR-siRNAs, KRAS-siRNA and MET-siRNA into NSCLC cells and silences the expression of target genes. The sensitivity of NSCLC cells to gefitinib was restored after treatment with the s-9R/siRNA complex, and the apoptosis rates of the treated cells were significantly higher than those of the control groups. Furthermore, the co-administration of s-9R/siRNA and gefitinib successfully suppressed the progression of H1975 xenograft tumors and extended the life span of tumor-bearing nude mice. Collectively, the results of this study provide not only a new scFv derivative for delivering siRNA into EGFR-overexpressing, TKI-resistant NSCLC cells but also a novel method for overcoming TKI resistance. PMID: 26524539 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Biomaterials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: Biomaterials Source Type: research