# Doxorubicin-NFL-TBS.40-63 peptide Gold Complex Nanovector (DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs): Efficacy Evaluation in a mouse transplantation tumor model induced by PANC-1/ADR human pancreatic cancer resistant strain cells

## TL;DR

A new gold-based nanovector combined with doxorubicin and a targeting peptide effectively reduces tumor growth in a mouse model of resistant pancreatic cancer.

## Contribution

Development of a novel doxorubicin-NFL peptide-gold nanovector with demonstrated anti-tumor and immune-boosting effects in resistant pancreatic cancer.

## Key findings

- DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs significantly decreased tumor growth in a mouse model of resistant pancreatic cancer.
- The nanovector reduced tumor index and impacted cytokines and ROS levels, indicating immune system activation.
- The nanovector exhibited anti-angiogenic effects and disrupted microtubule networks in pancreatic cancer cells.

## Abstract

The key role of the NFL-TBS.40-63 peptide (BIOT-NFL) is to target and destroy glioma cancer cells. Recently we have performed a novel peptide-hybrid-gold nanovector (BIOT-NFL-PEG-AuNPs) capable to destroy microtubule network of pancreatic cancer cells (PDAC) exhibiting a decrease of tumor index with a real anti-angiogenic effect. In order to improve the scientific background of our study, we conceived a chemotherapeutic hybrid nanovector based on gold-doxorubicin (DOX) functionalized with the NFL-TBS.40-63 peptide (BIOT-NFL) as a promising therapeutic in PDAC cancer. Mouse transplantation tumor model induced by PANC-1/ADR human pancreatic cancer resistant strain cells, was used to evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs as chemotherapeutic nano-drug. Our results indicate that DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs have a great impact on the decrease of the tumor growth and decreased the tumor index with a relevant effect on cytokines and ROS levels, thus confirming the impact of DOX IN-NFL@AuNPs to boost the immune system.