Targeted Delivery of Rapamycin via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis

Authors

• Nawab Ali, University of Arkansas at Little RockFollow
• Adeolu S. Oluremi, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Christopher Baldwin, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Nickolas Gustavison, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Mujeebat Bashiru, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Adeniyi Oyebade, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Noureen Siraj, University of Arkansas at Little RockFollow
• Raj Raghavendra Rao, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

ACS Omega

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is aggressive and deadly; most PC cells overexpress an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR-targeting peptide (GE11) was conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for delivering rapamycin (Rap), an mTOR inhibitor that reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis. Biophysical techniques confirmed the conjugation. Rap loading efficiency was 41.5%, with sustained release at a lower pH. Conjugates showed higher uptake in PANC-1 cells than unmodified AuNPs. It also inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis via pathways involving reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and caspase activation. This approach represents a promising nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy targeting PC cells, utilizing GE11-EGFR interactions to minimize toxicity and enhance the efficacy of the therapeutic drug.

Department

Biology

First Page

31762

Last Page

31775

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c02820?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as

Publication Date

7-19-2025

Recommended Citation

Ali, N., Oluremi, A. S., Baldwin, C., Gustavison, N., Bashiru, M., Oyebade, A., Siraj, N., & Rao, R. R. (2025). Targeted Delivery of Rapamycin via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis. ACS Omega, 10 (29), 31762–31775. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c02820