Sensing melanoma cells with hyaluronic acid decorated magnetoplasmonic nanoassemblies: from diagnosis to future therapeutic applications

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the most aggressive cancers whose incidence rates are rising in western populations [1]. The aggressive metastatic trend is associated with increased cellular dissemination. Moreover, melanoma cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) thus regulating the immune cell functions and modifying the tumor microenvironment as mediators of metastasis [2]. Recently, several innovative and targeted therapies have emerged and new and reliable methods for monitoring disease progression and guiding therapeutic decisions are needed. Liquid biopsy emerges for its versatility in tailoring the response to specific biomarkers [3]. Here, a multicomponent nanoplatform for sensing melanoma cells and those associated EVs is proposed. Luminescent hyaluronic acid decorated magnetoplasmonic/amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoassemblies were prepared and characterized using spectroscopic (FT-IR, UV/Vis, luminescence), imaging (TEM) and DLS techniques. The nanoassemblies showed no cytotoxicity up to 24 h and at 100 μg/mL on THP-1 human cell line differentiated into macrophages. The nanoassemblies were selectively uptake by A375 and HT-144 human melanoma cell lines with respect to NHDF human fibroblast cell line. After experiments on adhesion cultures, the activity was confirmed in suspension also evidencing the magnetic separation capability of the system. Finally, preliminary tests showed the interaction between the magnetoplasmonic nanoassemblies and EVs derived from a model microalgae, and from A375 and HT-144 cell lines. Results suggest that complex binding and uptake mechanisms occurred. These are probably guided by the selective recognition of the hyaluronic acid receptor CD-44 that is overexpressed in these cellular lines. Further experiments are on-going to increase the complexity of the environment for liquid biopsy applications. The theranostic potentialities are also considered.