Bacteriophage associated silicon particles: Design and characterization of a novel theranostic vector with improved payload carrying potential

There has been extensive research on the use of nanovectors for cancer therapy. Targeted delivery of nanotherapeutics necessitates two important characteristics: the ability to accumulate at the disease locus after overcoming sequential biological barriers and the ability to carry a substantial therapeutic payload. Successful combination of the above two features is challenging, especially in solid porous materials where chemical conjugation of targeting entities on the particle surface will generally prevent successful loading of the therapeutic substance. In this study, we propose a novel strategy for decorating the surface of mesoporous silicon particles with targeting entities (bacteriophage) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) while maintaining their payload carrying potential. The resulting Bacteriophage Associated Silicon Particles (BASP) demonstrate efficient encapsulation of macromolecules and therapeutic nanoparticles into the porous structures. In vitro targeting data show enhanced targeting efficiency with about four orders of magnitude lower concentration of bacteriophage. In vivo targeting data suggest that BASP maintain their integrity following intravenous administration in mice and display up to three fold higher accumulation in the tumor.