Conjugation of Magnetite Nanoparticles with Melanogenesis Substrate, NPrCAP Provides Melanoma Targeted, <i>in Situ</i>Peptide Vaccine Immunotherapy through HSP Production by Chemo-Thermotherapy

In order to develop melanoma-targeted in situ peptide vaccine immunotherapy, magnetite nanoparticles were conjugated with a melanogenesis substrate, N-propionyl cysteaminylphenol (NPrCAP). Magnetite nanoparticles introduced thermotherapy which caused non-apoptotic cell death and generation of heat shock protein (HSP) upon exposure to alternating magnetic field (AMF). NPrCAP was expected to develop a melanoma-targeted therapeutic drug because of its selective incorporation into melanoma cells and production of highly reactive free radicals, that result in not only oxidative stress but also apoptotic cell death by reacting with tyrosinase.