Abstract: Objective To develop aptamer-modified nanoparticles (AptNPs) for targeted enhancement of thermal damage to HER2-positive breast cancer cells Methods HER2 aptamer was connected to NPs via biotin-streptavidin reaction. AptNPs were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The binding feature of the aptamer was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the affinity of AptNPs to target cells by phase-contrast microscopy. Thermal damage under alternative magnetic field was measured by MTS assay. Results The average size of AptNPs was 333.7 nm. AptNPs exhibited strong binding to the HER2-positive but not the HER2-negative cells. Importantly, AptNPs enhanced the thermal damage to the HER2-positive tumor cells, but not that to the HER2-negative cells. Conclusions Aptamer-guided iron particles may have potential utility in development of novel HER2-targeted thermal therapies.

Key words: Key Words: aptamers, thermal therapy, HER2-targeted, breast cancer