Payload-Free Epitope Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles Selectively Targeting IL-13Rα2 and Inhibition of Diffuse Midline Glioma Cells

Abstract

Simple Summary Diffuse midline gliomas are aggressive brain tumors that are particularly difficult to treat because they are located in sensitive areas of the brain and respond poorly to current therapies. A protein called interleukin-1 receptor alpha-2 is highly expressed on many glioma cells but largely absent from healthy cells, making it an attractive treatment target. In this study, we developed nanosized molecularly imprinted polymer particles that can recognize specific regions of the receptor protein. The nanoparticles selectively interacted with patient-derived glioma cells and reduced their survival, while showing highly limited effect on non-tumoral cells. They also blocked important signals that support tumor growth and activated programmed cell death. These findings support the potential of synthetic antibody-like nanoparticles as a new targeted approach for payload-free treatment of aggressive brain tumors.