유방암세포에 발현된 EGFR 마커의 표면증강라만 이미징을 이용한 정량평가

Abstract

EGFR has been recognized as an important biomarker expressed in cancer cells due to the fact that its activation is closely associated with the key features of cancer including tumor growth, survival, angiogenesis and metastasis. Due to this fact, EGFR has been considered as one of the important prognostic cancer markers. Cetuximab (or Erbitux) is the first monoclonal antibody drug targeting EGFR markers overexpressed in cancer cells. Cetuximab easily binds to EGFR, resulting in the series of reactions: receptor down-regulation, blockage of EGFR-mediated tyrosin kinase activity, and inhibition of cellular proliferation. Therefore, EGFR-Centuximab bindings can be used in both quantitative monitoring of receptor status and the prognosis of cancer therapy. In this study, we investigate a new SERS imaging-based EGFR monitoring technique used before and after the cetuximab treatment of cancer cells. Raman mapping images were obtained using hEGF-conjugated Au(core)-Si(shell) nanoprobes. Our experimental results prove the potential feasibility of the SERS imaging technique in improving the prognostic efficacy of anti-EGFR treatment.