Development and effects of immunoliposomes carrying an antisense oligonucleotide against DHFR RNA and directed toward human breast cancer cells overexpressing HER2.

The development and the effect of immunoliposomes directed against human breast cancer cells overexpressing p185/HER2 are described. These immunoliposomes carry an antisense oligonucleotide directed toward the translational start site of dihydrofalate reductase (DHFR) RNA, which causes high cytotoxicity. To prepare the immunoliposomes, we followed two methodologies based on the high affinity between streptavidin and biotin and the use of biotinylated antibodies. In the first approach, the streptavidin molecule is covalently attached to the phospholipid DOPE, which is mixed with the cationic liposome DOTAP complexed with the antisense oligonucleotide. The second approach, which is much easier to perform, involves the binding of streptavidin to antibody and oligonucleotide, both biotinylated, and the latter complexed with DOTAP. The formation of the intermediary complexes of this immunoliposome was studied sequentially by gel electrophoresis. The uptake of the oligonucleotide carried by the immunoliposome was monitored by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. As a model, we used SKBR3 cells that overexpress p185. The full immunoliposomes were more toxic than the antisense oligonucleotide in the absence of the antibody, thus increasing the sensitivity of the treatment.