Evaluation of molecularly imprinted polymer based on HER2 epitope for targeted drug delivery in ovarian cancer mouse model

In this study, an artificial tumor-specific antigen was synthesized by using capabilities of molecular imprinted polymers and epitope of HER2 protein as template. Thus, a specific drug delivery system was designed for potential cancer treatment. The epitope of HER2 protein was designed and synthesized. Conformational epitopes are synthesized by residues that are sequentially discontinuous however similar together in three-dimensional space. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized on the surface of silica nanoparticles. Dopamine was used as monomer and the conformational epitope of HER2 and doxorubicin (DOX) were the templates. The synthesized MIPs were used for targeting DOX delivery in an ovarian cancer mouse model. The antitumor effectiveness of different groups was determined in terms of parameters such as; tumor size and DOX distribution in different tissues. Results showed high efficiency of DOX-EPI-IP in suppressing tumor size. Moreover, higher DOX concentration was observed in the tumor tissue of the DOX-EPI-IP group compared with that of other groups. The HER2 epitope-based MIP is a promising candidate as a vehicle for controlled bio distribution of DOX in ovarian cancer therapy.