A Recombinant Targeted Bionanoparticle In Vitro Expressing a Gene-Editing Protein for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutant Lung Cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is a significant driving factor in the occurrence and progression of lung cancer. How to effectively block the abnormal expression of EGFR remains a key issue that urgently needs to be addressed, as it is of vital importance for the effective treatment of this cancer. Here, we report a recombinant targeted bionanoparticle that in vitro expresses Cas9 protein (tBioNP vitro-Cas9) for gene editing of EGFR mutant lung cancer. The nanoparticle was developed by transfection of four plasmids (Gag-Cas9, Gag, sgRNA, VSV-G Azi) into 293T cells to form a type of bionanoparticle and modifying it with a targeted polymer material (DBCO-PEG-FA), and it showed a cancer-targeted property, faster cancer cellular uptake, higher gene editing efficiency with lower off-target effects, and therapy efficacy in mice, indicating a translational prospect. In conclusion, the study provides a recombinant bionanoparticle in vitro expressing a Cas9 gene editing system and offers a potential strategy for gene therapy of EGFR mutant lung cancer.