The AuNDs were coated with RAW 264.7 macrophage membranes to enable targeted delivery to MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells via the active binding of macrophage-expressed α4 integrins to overexpressed vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on MDA-MB-231 s. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is breast cancer.