A multi-center study of using carbon nanoparticles to track lymph node metastasis in T1–2 colorectal cancer

Safety and effectiveness of carbon nanoparticles suspension-guided lymph node dissection during thyroidectomy in patients with thyroid papillary cancer: a prospective, multicenter, randomized, blank-controlled trial

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of carbon nanoparticles-guided lymph node dissection during thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid cancer(PTC).

Methods

Clinical trials consisted of two subgroups: unilateral lobectomy (UL; n=283) and total thyroidectomy (TT; n=286). From each subgroup, the patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the carbon nanoparticle group and control group. Primary endpoints included parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, number of lymph nodes (LNs) detected, number of tiny lymph nodes detected, and recognition and retention of the parathyroid glands. Secondary endpoint was recognition and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Results

A total of 569 patients with PTC were recruited. There were no statistically significant differences in demographics between the carbon nanoparticles and control groups (P > 0.05). In the UL subgroup, there were no significant differences in PTH levels between the two groups at preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative day one, and postoperative month one (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum Ca2+ levels between the two groups preoperatively and at postoperative month one (P>0.05). The number of lymph nodes dissected in the carbon nanoparticles group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.0001). The detection rate of tiny lymph nodes in the carbon nanoparticles group was higher than that in the control group (P=0.0268). In the TT subgroup, there was no significant difference in PTH levels between the two groups at preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative day one (P>0.05). However, the mean PTH level in the carbon nanoparticles group was significantly higher than that of the control group at postoperative month one (P=0.0368). There was no significant difference in the serum Ca2+ levels between the two groups preoperatively and at postoperative month one (P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of dissected LNs (P>0.05) or the detection rate of tiny lymph nodes (P>0.05). No drug-related AE and complications due to the injection of carbon nanoparticles were recorded in this study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of parathyroid preserved in situ and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in the UL and TT subgroups.

Conclusions

Carbon nanoparticles demonstrated efficacy and safety in thyroidectomy. The application of carbon nanoparticles could significantly facilitate the identification and clearance of LNs and the optimum preservation of parathyroid function.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2300068502.

Current Status and Emerging Trends in Colorectal Cancer Screening and Diagnostics

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent and potentially fatal disease categorized based on its high incidences and mortality rates, which raised the need for effective diagnostic strategies for the early detection and management of CRC. While there are several conventional cancer diagnostics available, they have certain limitations that hinder their effectiveness. Significant research efforts are currently being dedicated to elucidating novel methodologies that aim at comprehending the intricate molecular mechanism that underlies CRC. Recently, microfluidic diagnostics have emerged as a pivotal solution, offering non-invasive approaches to real-time monitoring of disease progression and treatment response. Microfluidic devices enable the integration of multiple sample preparation steps into a single platform, which speeds up processing and improves sensitivity. Such advancements in diagnostic technologies hold immense promise for revolutionizing the field of CRC diagnosis and enabling efficient detection and monitoring strategies. This article elucidates several of the latest developments in microfluidic technology for CRC diagnostics. In addition to the advancements in microfluidic technology for CRC diagnostics, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise for further enhancing diagnostic capabilities. Advancements in microfluidic systems and AI-driven approaches can revolutionize colorectal cancer diagnostics, offering accurate, efficient, and personalized strategies to improve patient outcomes and transform cancer management.

Use of Carbon Nanoparticles to Improve the Efficiency of Harvesting Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

The accurate determination of lymph node status in patients with rectal cancer requires harvesting a certain number of lymph nodes. This study investigated whether using carbon nanoparticles (CNs) could improve the efficiency of harvesting lymph nodes in rectal cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from patients with rectal cancer treated with radical resection were collected from Nanfang Hospital between January 2014 and June 2021. Patients in the CN group received a CN suspension 1 day before surgery, which was endoscopically injected around the tumor. A 1:1 case-matched study was performed using the propensity score. The efficiency of harvesting lymph nodes was investigated by comparing the number of total nodes, total time, and percentage of nodes <5 mm in size between the CN and non-CN groups.

RESULTS

A total of 768 patients were included, with 246 patients who underwent CN injection and 522 patients who did not. After matching, 246 pairs of patients were analyzed. After matching, the number of total nodes of each sample was significantly higher in the CN group than in the non-CN group ( P <0.001). The total time for node detection ( P <0.001) was significantly shorter in the CN group. The percentage of nodes <5 mm in size was increased significantly in the CN group ( P <0.001). Among patients with clinical staging I/II, the difference in positive LNs was significant (21.79% vs. 11.95%, P =0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of CNs improved the efficiency of harvesting lymph nodes during rectal cancer surgery.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as Drug Delivery Agents for Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Preface to Colorectal Cancer Citing Their Markers and Existing Theranostic Approaches

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the universally established cancers with a higher incidence rate. Novel progression toward cancer prevention and cancer care among countries in transition should be considered seriously for controlling CRC. Hence, several cutting edge technologies are ongoing for high performance cancer therapeutics over the past few decades. Several drug-delivery systems of the nanoregime are relatively new in this arena compared to the previous treatment modes such as chemo- or radiotherapy to mitigate cancer. Based on this background, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment possibilities, and theragnostic markers for CRC were revealed. Since the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the management of CRC has been less studied, the present review analyzes the preclinical studies on the application of carbon nanotubes for drug delivery and CRC therapy owing to their inherent properties. It also investigates the toxicity of CNTs on normal cells for safety testing and the clinical use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) for tumor localization. To conclude, this review recommends the clinical application of carbon-based nanomaterials further for the management of CRC in diagnosis and as carriers or therapeutic adjuvants.

Nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer metastases: Current and future perspectives

Metastasis accounts for greater than 90% of cancer-related deaths. Despite recent advancements in conventional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and their rational combinations, metastatic cancers remain essentially untreatable. The distinct obstacles to treat metastases include their small size, high multiplicity, redundancy, therapeutic resistance, and dissemination to multiple organs. Recent advancements in nanotechnology provide the numerous applications in the diagnosis and prophylaxis of metastatic diseases, including the small particle size to penetrate cell membrane and blood vessels and their capacity to transport complex molecular 'cargo' particles to various metastatic regions such as bones, brain, liver, lungs, and lymph nodes. Indeed, nanoparticles (NPs) have demonstrated a significant ability to target specific cells within these organs. In this regard, the purpose of this review is to summarize the present state of nanotechnology in terms of its application in the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic cancer. We intensively reviewed applications of NPs in fluorescent imaging, PET scanning, MRI, and photoacoustic imaging to detect metastasis in various cancer models. The use of targeted NPs for cancer ablation in conjunction with chemotherapy, photothermal treatment, immuno therapy, and combination therapy is thoroughly discussed. The current review also highlights the research opportunities and challenges of leveraging engineering technologies with cancer cell biology and pharmacology to fabricate nanoscience-based tools for treating metastases.

En bloc mesoesophageal esophagectomy through thoracoscopy combined with laparoscopy based on the mesoesophageal theory

PURPOSE

To investigate the effectiveness and clinical significance of thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy with mesoesophagus excision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent en bloc mesoesophageal esophagectomy through thoracoscopy combined with laparoscopy were retrospectively enrolled. Carbon nanoparticles were used in some patients to label the esophageal drainage lymph nodes. The clinical data were analyzed.

RESULTS

En bloc mesoesophageal esophagectomy was successfully performed in 135 patients (100%). The carbon nanoparticles were used in 10 patients, among which the left gastric arterial lymph nodes were labeled in all patients and excised together with the left gastric mesentery, mesoesophagus, esophageal cancer, lymph nodes, vessels, nerves, and adipose tissues as one intact package. The mean operation time was 182.5 ± 26.4 min, intraoperative blood loss 45.9 ± 17.6 ml, mean number of lymph nodes dissected 20.9 ± 8.12, extubation time of drainage tubes 7.5 ± 3.8 days, first oral feeding time 7.5 ± 1.8 days, and postoperative hospital stay 13 ± 5.11 days. Postoperatively, anastomotic leakage occurred in six patients (4.4%), anastomotic stenosis in eight (5.9%), hoarseness in seven (5.2%), and inflammation of the remnant stomach in four (3.0%), with a complication rate of 18.5%. Patients were followed up for 13-34 months (median 23). Eighteen patients presented with organ metastasis. No local recurrence or death during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Based on the membrane anatomy or mesoesophagus theory, thoracolaparoscopic en bloc mesoesophageal esophagectomy is safe, with decreased blood loss, and it is necessary to resect the left gastric artery lymph nodes together with the left gastric mesentery and its contents to completely remove the cancer.

Preoperative carbon nanoparticle injection improves inferior mesenteric artery lymph node retrieval in patients with rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Inferior mesenteric artery lymph node (station 253 node) metastasis occurs in approximately 0.3% to 13.9% of rectal cancer patients. This study examined whether carbon nanoparticles could aid in harvesting more station 253 nodes and evaluated the relationship between the number of station 253 nodes retrieved and station 253 node metastasis.

METHOD

A total of 480 consecutive rectal cancer patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort study between August 2014 and October 2018. Ninety-one patients (18.96%) received a preoperative submucosal injection of carbon nanoparticles (CN+ group), and 389 patients did not receive an injection (CN- group). The number of lymph node retrievals was analyzed, and the relevant risk factors for station 253 node metastasis were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The mean number of station 251, 252, and 253 lymph nodes and total lymph nodes retrieved in the CN+ group were higher than that retrieved in the CN- group. The percentage of patients with ≥4 station 253 nodes retrieved (54.0% vs 28.3%, P = .004) were higher in the CN+ group than in the CN- group. Retrieval of ≥4 station 253 nodes was an independent risk factor for station 253 node metastasis (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.22-4.74, P = .012).

CONCLUSION

The preoperative submucosal injection of carbon nanoparticles was helpful for increasing the number of station 253 nodes harvested, and a minimum of 4 examined station 253 nodes was necessary for standard D3 lymph node dissection in rectal cancer.

Application of nano-carbon and titanium clip combined labeling in robot-assisted laparoscopic transverse colon cancer surgery

Background

Robot-assisted laparoscopic transverse colon tumor surgery requires precise tumor localization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nano-carbon and titanium clip combination labeling methods in robot-assisted transverse colon tumor surgery.

Methods

From January 2018 to January 2019, the clinical data of 16 patients who come from FuZhou, China underwent preoperative nano-carbon and titanium clip combined with robot-assisted laparoscopic transverse colon cancer surgery were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Of the 16 patients, no signs of abdominal pain, fever, or diarrhea were observed after colonoscopy. Two titanium clips were seen on all of the 16 patients' abdominal plain films. Nano-carbon staining sites were observed during the operation, and no staining disappeared or abdominal cavity contamination. All patients underwent R₀ resection. The average number of lymph nodes harvsted was 18.23 ± 5.04 (range, 9–32). The average time to locate the lesion under the laparoscopic was 3.03 ± 1.26 min (range, 1–6 min), and the average operation time was 321.43 ± 49.23 min (range, 240–400 min). All were consistent with the surgical plan, and there was no intraoperative change of surgical procedure or conversion to open surgery.

Conclusion

Preoperative colonoscopy combined with nano-carbon and titanium clip is safe and effective in robot-assisted transverse colon cancer surgery. A At the same time, the labeling method shows potential in shortening the operation time, ensuring sufficient safety margin and reducing complications.

The safety and effectiveness of carbon nanoparticles suspension in tracking lymph node metastases of colorectal cancer: a prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of carbon nanoparticles suspension in tracking lymph node metastases of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Eligible patients diagnosed with stages I-III colorectal cancer in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between 1 May 2017 and 31 May 2018 fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this prospective randomized controlled study. All the patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the nanocarbon group and the control group. Patients' clinicopathological characteristics were compared between the nanocarbon group and the control group. For continuous variables, data were presented as mean (±SD) and differences between the two groups were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test; for categorical variables, data was presented as frequency (%) and the Pearson's chi-squared test was used to compare the differences between two groups.

RESULTS

All the patients' characteristics between two groups did not achieve statistical significance (P > 0.05). Patients in nanocarbon group were more likely to be associated with more lymph nodes retrieved totally compared with control group (19.84 ± 6.428 vs. 17.41 ± 7.229, P < 0.001). The number of lymph nodes retrieved in nanocarbon group were more likely to be ≥12 than that in the control group (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed the safety of using carbon nanoparticles suspension as a tracer in colorectal cancer. More importantly, nanocarbon could significantly increase the detected number of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer, which can help improve the accuracy of lymph node staging and even improve patients' survival.

Endoscopic Preoperative Tattooing and Marking in the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Systematic Review of Alternative Methods

Background: An accurate and reliable localization of endoluminal gastrointestinal (GI) lesions is crucial, particularly during minimally invasive surgery. As an extreme consequence, a misdetected GI lesion can lead to the resection of the wrong segment, especially in colorectal surgery. A preoperative endoscopic marking is recommended in case of GI lesions, which are expected to be difficult to detect from the serosal side. In clinical practice, three preoperative endoscopic marking methods are currently used: India ink, SPOT™, and endoclips with intraoperative fluoroscopy. All of them have substantial limitations. This has encouraged research on alternative solutions. Methods: In the current systematic review, animal and clinical studies about alternative preoperative endoscopic marking methods of GI lesions were analyzed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Results: Thirty studies were found using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE/Ovid, and the Cochrane Library for the qualitative analysis. Conclusion: Although several smart solutions have been proposed and tested successfully, all of them seem to have a substantial drawback related either to scarce stability on the marking site or potential spreading on the bowel wall or diffusion into the surgical planes.

Validation of Gene Profiles for Analysis of Regional Lymphatic Metastases in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The progress of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is dependent on both cancer stem cells (CSCs) and immune suppression. This study was designed to evaluate the distribution of CSCs and the characteristic immune suppression status in HNSCC primary tumors and lymph nodes. A total of 303 lymph nodes from 25 patients, as well as tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples, were evaluated by a quantitative PCR assay of the markers of CSCs and the characteristic immune suppression. Expressions of selected genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were also analyzed. In the primary tumors, we found that expressions of CSCs markers (ALDH1L1, PECAM1, PROM1) were down-regulated, while immune suppression markers FOXP3, CD47, EGFR, SOX2, and TGFB1 were up-regulated significantly when compared to that in adjacent normal tissues. In the lymph nodes, expressions of both CSCs, and immune suppression markers were upregulated significantly compared with that in primary tumors. The mRNA expression of selected CSCs and immune suppression markers exhibited the highest expression in the level II of metastasis, then declined in the level III and remained constant at a reduced value in levels IV and V of metastases. These results reveal a comprehensive understanding of the unique genetic characteristics associated with metastatic loci and potential routes of lymphatic dissemination of HNSCC, which helps to explain why the level II has a high incidence of lymph node metastasis, and why skip metastasis straight to the level IV or level V is rarely found in the clinic.

Specific targeting cancer cells with nanoparticles and drug delivery in cancer therapy

Nanotechnology has been the latest approach for diagnosis and treatment for cancer, which opens up a new alternative therapeutic drug delivery option to treat disease. Nanoparticles (NPs) display a broad role in cancer diagnosis and has various advantages over the other conventional chemotherapeutic drug delivery. NPs possess more specific and efficient drug delivery to the targeted tissue, cell, or organs and minimize the risk of side effects. NPs undergo passive and active mode of drug targets to tumor area with less elimination of the drug from the system. Size and surface characteristics of nanoparticles play a crucial role in modulating nanocarrier efficiency and the biodistribution of chemo drugs in the body. Several types of nanocarriers, such as polymers, dendrimers, liposome-based, and carbon-based, are studied widely in cancer therapy. Although FDA approved very few nanotechnology drugs for cancer therapy, a large number of studies are undergoing for the development of novel nanocarriers for potent cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss the details of the nano-based therapeutics and diagnostics strategies, and the potential use of nanomedicines in cancer therapy and cancer drug delivery.

Nanovectors Design for Theranostic Applications in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a diffused disease with limited therapeutic options, none of which are often curative. Based on the molecular markers and targets expressed by the affected tissues, numerous novel approaches have been developed to study and treat this disease. In particular, the field of nanotechnology offers an astonishingly wide array of innovative nanovectors with high versatility and adaptability for both diagnosis and therapy (the so called “theranostic platforms”). However, such complexity can make the selection of a specific nanocarrier model to study a perplexing endeavour for the biomedical scientist or clinician not familiar with this field of inquiry. This review offers a comprehensive overview of this wide body of knowledge, in order to outline the essential requirements for the clinical viability evaluation of a nanovector model in CRC. In particular, the differences among the foremost designs, their specific advantages, and technological caveats will be treated, never forgetting the ultimate endpoint for these systems development: the clinical practice.

Sentinel lymph node mapping procedure in T1 colorectal cancer: A systematic review of published studies

OBJECTIVE

to investigate the role of sentinel lymph node mapping procedure in T1 Colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of T1 Colorectal cancer is increasing thanks to screening and awareness campaigns. The issue concerning T1 is when to consider a local treatment curative or when it is necessary a radical resection. The histopathological features of resected polyps are able to predict the nodal spread but the value of specificity is increasingly a problem of these predictors. The sentinel lymph node procedure could be a solution.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines and using "sentinel node", "lymph nodes", and "colorectal cancer" as search terms in PubMed and Embase databases. References from included studies, review articles, and editorials were cross-checked. The risk of bias and quality of the included studies were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The primary outcome was sentinel lymph node accuracy rate and the secondary outcome was sentinel lymph node detection rate for T1 Colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies (108 patients) met inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 were monocentric cohort studies and 4 were multicentric cohort studies. The rate of sentinel lymph node accuracy in T1 colorectal cancer varies from 89% to 100%. Only 1 false negative was found. In 7 of these 12 studies (71 patients) the detection rate of T1 colorectal cancer was reported and showed a variation from 92% to 100%. Even in this case, only 1 case of failed procedure was found.

DISCUSSION

The literature on this topic agrees on that sentinel lymph node mapping, differently from breast cancer and melanomas should not be used for therapeutic purposes in colorectal cancer, but mainly to refine staging. The reason is the low sensitivity of this procedure with an accompanying high false negative rate. However, the data refers mainly to advanced stages of the disease because there are few data available on the earlier stages and in particular related to T1. Isolating the data related only to T1, the false negative rate seems to be very low. Additional studies are necessary, but a decisional role of sentinel lymph node mapping on the treatment of T1 Colorectal cancer is possible in the future.

Carbon nanoparticle lymph node tracer improves the outcomes of surgical treatment in papillary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy which is generally accompanied by lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVE

Our study evaluated whether carbon nanoparticle lymph node tracer can improve the outcomes of surgical treatment in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

METHODS

Ninety-two patients were selected and underwent total thyroidectomy and lymph node resection. Our study placed 45 individuals into the treatment group (carbon nanoparticle group) and 47 cohorts in the control group (no carbon nanoparticle group).

RESULTS

Carbon nanoparticle application remarkably improved lymph nodes detection rate in patients (4.7 ± 3.0; P< 0.05) compared to those in control groups (3.5 ± 2.3). The rate of parathyroid accidental resection in the carbon nanoparticle group significantly decreased (6.67%) compared to the control group (21.28%). Incidents of hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia significantly decreased among the carbon nanoparticle cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study definitively showed that carbon nanoparticles can be used to effectively treat lymphatic carcinoma. Our study presented clinical evidences for potential application of carbon nanoparticle in improving the management of PTC patients.

A case-control study of using carbon nanoparticles to trace decision-making lymph nodes around inferior mesenteric artery in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Accurate identification of lymph nodes localized around inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), with or without metastasis, is of crucial importance for surgeons when dissecting D2 or D3 lymph nodes in patients with rectal cancer (RC). The following study evaluates whether carbon nanoparticles can be used for detection of decision-making lymph nodes (DLNs) in station 253 lymph nodes found around IMA during RC surgery.

METHODS

A total of 66 patients with rectal adenocarcinomas were recruited between January 2014 and August 2017. Patients were divided into carbon nanoparticle (CN) group and control (CL) group; for the CN group, 1 ml nanoparticles were endoscopically injected into submucosal layer of primary tumor 1 day before surgery. DLNs were defined as black-dyed nodes in CN group or macroscopic lymph nodes in CL group localized along the IMA, proximal to the origin of the left colic artery. D3 lymph nodes were dissected using laparoscopic radical resection, and then examined using pathological approach. Intra-operative and post-operative data were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In CN group, black-dyed DLNs were easily found under laparoscopy; the median number of DLNs was 3 (range 1-9). In CL group, the median number of DLNs was 0 (range 0-3). Consistency between intra-operative DLNs and post-operative station 253 nodes were confirmed by pathological examination. Significant higher number of DLNs in station 253 nodes (2.91 ± 2.47 vs 0.58 ± 0.75, p < 0.001), number of station 251 nodes (12.85 ± 8.99 vs 8.09 ± 5.85, p = 0.014), number of station 253 nodes (5.21 ± 5.26 vs 3.15 ± 2.32, p = 0.045), and the number of total lymph nodes (24.06 ± 13.20 vs 16.21 ± 9.09, p = 0.007) were found in the CN group compared to CL group.

CONCLUSIONS

Carbon nanoparticles are useful for identifying DLNs in station 253 LNs around IMA in RC. It is not necessary to perform D3 lymph node dissection if there are no intra-operative DLNs metastases in RC.

Skeleton labeled 13C-carbon nanoparticles for the imaging and quantification in tumor drainage lymph nodes

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have been widely used in tumor drainage lymph node (TDLN) imaging, drug delivery, photothermal therapy, and so on. However, during the theranostic applications, the accumulation efficiency of CNPs in target organs is unknown yet, which largely hinders the extension of CNPs into clinical uses. Herein, we prepared skeleton-labeled 13C-CNPs that had identical properties to commercial CNPs suspension injection (CNSI) for the imaging and quantification in TDLN. 13C-CNPs were prepared by arc discharge method, followed by homogenization with polyvinylpyrrolidone. The size distribution and morphology of 13C-CNPs were nearly the same as those of CNSI under transmission electron microscope. The hydrodynamic radii of both 13C-CNPs and CNSI were similar, too. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy analyses, the chemical compositions and chemical states of elements were also nearly identical for both labeled and commercial forms. The skeleton labeling of 13C was reflected by the shift of G-band toward lower frequency in Raman spectra. 13C-CNPs showed competitive performance in TDLN imaging, where the three lymph nodes (popliteal lymph node, common iliac artery lymph node, and paraaortic lymph node) were stained black upon the injection into the hind extremity of mice. The direct quantification of 13C-CNPs indicated that 877 μg/g of 13C-CNPs accumulated in the first station of TDLN (popliteal lymph node). The second station of TDLN (common iliac artery lymph node) had even higher accumulation level (1,062 μg/g), suggesting that 13C-CNPs migrated efficiently along lymphatic vessel. The value decreased to 405 μg/g in the third station of TDLN (paraaortic lymph node). Therefore, the 13C-CNPs provided quantitative approach to image and quantify CNSI in biological systems. The implication in biomedical applications and biosafety evaluations of CNSI is discussed.

Nanomaterials for In Vivo Imaging

In vivo imaging, which enables us to peer deeply within living subjects, is producing tremendous opportunities both for clinical diagnostics and as a research tool. Contrast material is often required to clearly visualize the functional architecture of physiological structures. Recent advances in nanomaterials are becoming pivotal to generate the high-resolution, high-contrast images needed for accurate, precision diagnostics. Nanomaterials are playing major roles in imaging by delivering large imaging payloads, yielding improved sensitivity, multiplexing capacity, and modularity of design. Indeed, for several imaging modalities, nanomaterials are now not simply ancillary contrast entities, but are instead the original and sole source of image signal that make possible the modality's existence. We address the physicochemical makeup/design of nanomaterials through the lens of the physical properties that produce contrast signal for the cognate imaging modality-we stratify nanomaterials on the basis of their (i) magnetic, (ii) optical, (iii) acoustic, and/or (iv) nuclear properties. We evaluate them for their ability to provide relevant information under preclinical and clinical circumstances, their in vivo safety profiles (which are being incorporated into their chemical design), their modularity in being fused to create multimodal nanomaterials (spanning multiple different physical imaging modalities and therapeutic/theranostic capabilities), their key properties, and critically their likelihood to be clinically translated.

Preoperative endoscopic localization of colorectal cancer and tracing lymph nodes by using carbon nanoparticles in laparoscopy

Background

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative endoscopic localization of colorectal cancer and tracing lymph nodes by carbon nanoparticle tattooing in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

From January 2013 to December 2014, 54 patients with colorectal cancer were recruited and divided into experimental (n = 27) and control (n = 27) groups. The patients in the experimental group were localized preoperatively by endoscopic carbon nanoparticle tattooing, whereas patients in the control group were not tattooed.

Results

All injection sites in the experimental group were visible to surgeons. No abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and other symptoms of infection were found in the experimental group. The time for detecting the tumor (2.71 ± 2.13 min versus 6.91 ± 5.16 min, p < 0.001), operation time (151.22 ± 30.66 min versus 170.26 ± 33.13 min, p = 0.033), and blood loss during the operation (125.04 ± 29.48 mL versus 147.52 ± 34.35 mL, p = 0.013) were lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Average numbers of dissected lymph nodes in the experimental group exceeded those in the control group (14.41 ± 3.32 versus 8.96 ± 2.90, p < 0.001), and the rate of dissected lymph nodes ≥12 was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (70.37 versus 37.04 %, p < 0.001). Moreover, no difference in postoperative complications was found between the two groups.

Conclusions

Tattooing colorectal cancer with carbon nanoparticles in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery is safe and useful both in localization and lymph node tracing.

Interventional Nanotheranostics of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for over 90% of all pancreatic cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs) offer new opportunities for image-guided therapy owing to the unique physicochemical properties of the nanoscale effect and the multifunctional capabilities of NPs. However, major obstacles exist for NP-mediated cancer theranostics, especially in PDAC. The hypovascular nature of PDAC may impede the deposition of NPs into the tumor after systemic administration, and most NPs localize predominantly in the mononuclear phagocytic system, leading to a relatively poor tumor-to-surrounding-organ uptake ratio. Image guidance combined with minimally invasive interventional procedures may help circumvent these barriers to poor drug delivery of NPs in PDAC. Interventional treatments allow regional drug delivery, targeted vascular embolization, direct tumor ablation, and the possibility of disrupting the stromal barrier of PDAC. Interventional treatments also have potentially fewer complications, faster recovery, and lower cost compared with conventional therapies. This work is an overview of current image-guided interventional cancer nanotheranostics with specific attention given to their applications for the management of PDAC.

Nanocarriers Usage for Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy

Conventional therapeutic agents have displayed significant shortcomings. For this reason, important achievements have effectively made in biotechnology for delivering the therapeutic agents to the site of action, and diminish side effects. Polymeric carriers, micelles, dendrimers, liposomes, solid lipid carriers, gold carriers, viral carriers, nanotubes and magnetic carriers incorporating cytotoxic therapeutics have developed. To improve biological distribution of therapeutic drugs, some modified carriers have designed in optimal size and modified surface area. Delivery of carriers to target cells could be done by passive and active targeting.

Effect of preoperative colonoscopic tattooing on lymph node harvest in T1 colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the impact of preoperative colonoscopic tattooing (PCT) on lymph node harvest in T1 colorectal cancer patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and forty-three patients were included who underwent curative resection and were diagnosed with T1 colorectal cancer. These patients were categorized into the tattooing group and the non-tattooing group depending on whether preoperative India ink tattooing was done. Clinicopathological findings and lymph node harvest were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The median number of lymph nodes examined was 18 in the tattooing group and 13 in the non-tattooing group (p < 0.001). The rate of adequate lymph node harvest (retrieval of more than 12 lymph nodes) was higher in the tattooing group than that in the non-tattooing group (83.7 vs. 58.5 %, p = 0.002). The PCT was significantly associated with adequate lymph node harvest in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 3.8; 95 % confidence interval, 1.5-9.2; p = 0.003). Among the 40 patients who showed at least one carbon particle-containing lymph nodes, the positive lymph node rate was not different between carbon-containing LNs (0.9 %) and non-carbon-containing LNs (1.7 %).

CONCLUSIONS

PCT was associated with higher lymph node yield in T1 colorectal cancer. It is questionable if tattooing has additional detection power as a sentinel lymph node mapping tool in T1 colorectal cancer.

Sentinel Lymph Node Detection Using Carbon Nanoparticles in Patients with Early Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Carbon nanoparticles have a strong affinity for the lymphatic system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy using carbon nanoparticles in early breast cancer and to optimize the application procedure.

METHODS

Firstly, we performed a pilot study to demonstrate the optimized condition using carbon nanoparticles for sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) detection by investigating 36 clinically node negative breast cancer patients. In subsequent prospective study, 83 patients with clinically node negative breast cancer were included to evaluate SLNs using carbon nanoparticles. Another 83 SLNs were detected by using blue dye. SLNs detection parameters were compared between the methods. All patients irrespective of the SLNs status underwent axillary lymph node dissection for verification of axillary node status after the SLN biopsy.

RESULTS

In pilot study, a 1 ml carbon nanoparticles suspension used 10-15min before surgery was associated with the best detection rate. In subsequent prospective study, with carbon nanoparticles, the identification rate, accuracy, false negative rate was 100%, 96.4%, 11.1%, respectively. The identification rate and accuracy were 88% and 95.5% with 15.8% of false negative rate using blue dye technique. The use of carbon nanoparticles suspension showed significantly superior results in identification rate (p = 0.001) and reduced false-negative results compared with blue dye technique.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated feasibility and accuracy of using carbon nanoparticles for SLNs mapping in breast cancer patients. Carbon nanoparticles are useful in SLNs detection in institutions without access to radioisotope.