Published in: Advanced Science
Authors: Anni Lepland, Elisa Peranzoni, Uku Haljasorg, Eliana K. Asciutto, Maria Crespí-Amer, Lorenzo Modesti, Kalle Kilk, Manuel Lombardia, Gerardo Acosta, Miriam Royo, Pärt Peterson, Ilaria Marigo, Tambet Teesalu, Pablo Scodeller
A peptide-drug conjugate was designed to target tumor-associated magrophages (TAMs) that promote metastasis and suppress immune system in triple-negative breast cancer. Homing studies in vivo showed that this mannose receptor-binding peptide precisely targeted TAMs when administered IV, IP or orally. The peptide was coupled to verteporfin and studied for PDT in vitro and in vivo using Modulight’s ML6000-series laser and orthotopic breast cancer mouse model. The conjugate unexpectedly showed comparable efficacy even without light activation but with fewer side effects, related to YAP/TAZ pathway inhibition of verteporfin.
