After introduction in the bloodstream, nanoparticles are instantly surrounded by a protein coating referred to as 'protein corona' (PC). Thus, what the cell sees is the interface made of the proteins engaged from the blood that could promote the association with specific receptors of target cells.
Here we want to demonstrate that the specificity of clinically approved liposomal drug depends on the PC formed around liposome after their interaction with the blood. The second aim is the validation of a new targeted strategy of drug delivery based on the rational exploitation of PC. Starting from the receptor profile of target cells (i.e. breast cancer cells), optimal PC composition will be identified by bio-informatics and manipulated by liposome design. This will represent a truly new paradigm for designing next-generation liposomes for targeted cancer therapy.
