The further characterization of the specifically binding peptide to hepatocellular carcinoma

Previously, we reported a novel 12-mer peptide binding to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells specifically and sensitively, and it was screened by using a phage displayed peptide library. To identify the potential of this peptide to be used to the early diagnosis and drug delivery of HCC clinic, the synthesized peptide probe was further characterized by using the assays of cell immunofluorescence and tissue chip. The results of cultured cell immunofluorescence assay show that the peptide probe binds to HCC cells with satisfactory specificity and sensitivity. The results of tissue chip show that the peptide probe can bind to the most common types of HCC tissues, especially to the HCC tissues differentiated at grade II. All further characterized results indicate that this peptide is of the great potential to be used as a HCC targeting candidate for the early molecular imaging diagnosis and targeting nanoparticle or drug delivery in HCC clinic practice.