Investigation of Dextran-Coated Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Vinblastine Controlled Release, Delivery, Apoptosis Induction, and Gene Expression in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

In the current study, the surface of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPION) was coated with dextran (DEX), and conjugated with folic acid (FA), to enhance the targeted delivery and uptake of vinblastine (VBL) in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. Numerous analyses were performed to validate the prepared FA-DEX-VBL-SPION, such as field emission scanning transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The delivery system capacity was evaluated by loading and release experiments. Moreover, in vitro biological studies, including a cytotoxicity study, cellular uptake assessment, apoptosis analysis, and real-time PCR, were carried out. The results revealed that the obtained nanocarrier was spherical with a suitable dispersion and without visible aggregation. Its average size, polydispersity, and zeta were 74 ± 13 nm, 0.080, and −45 mV, respectively. This dual functional nanocarrier also exhibited low cytotoxicity and a high apoptosis induction potential for successful VBL co-delivery. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated the activation of caspase-3, NF-1, PDL-1, and H-ras inhibition, in PANC-1 cells treated with the FA-VBL-DEX-SPION nanostructure. Close inspection of the obtained data proved that the FA-VBL-DEX-SPION nanostructure possesses a noteworthy chemo-preventive effect on pancreatic cancer cells through the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis.

Effects of multiple injections on the efficacy and cytotoxicity of folate-targeted magnetite nanoparticles as theranostic agents for MRI detection and magnetic hyperthermia therapy of tumor cells

Folate-targeted iron oxide nanoparticles (FA@Fe3O4 NPs) were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method and then used as cancer theranostic agents by combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT). Crystal structure, morphology, magnetic properties, surface functional group, and heating efficacy of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, VSM, FTIR, and hyperthermia analyses. The results indicated that the crystal structure, magnetic properties, and heating efficacy of the magnetite nanoparticles were improved by hydrothermal treatment. Toxicity of the prepared NPs was assessed in vitro and in vivo on the mammary cells and BALB/c mice, respectively. The results of the in vitro toxicity analysis showed that the FA@Fe3O4 NPs are relatively safe even at high concentrations of the NPs up to 1000 µg mL-1. Also, the targetability of the FA@Fe3O4 NPs for the detection of folate over-expressed cancer cells was evaluated in an animal model of breast tumor using MRI analysis. It was observed that T2-weighted magnetic resonance signal intensity was decreased with the three-time injection of the FA@Fe3O4 NPs with 24 h interval at a safe dose (50 mg kg-1), indicating the accumulation and retention of the NPs within the tumor tissues. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of the MHT using the FA@Fe3O4 NPs was evaluated in vivo in breast tumor-bearing mice. Hyperthermia treatment was carried out under a safe alternating magnetic field permissible for magnetic hyperthermia treatment (f = 150 kHz, H = 12.5 mT). The therapeutic effects of the MHT were evaluated by monitoring the tumor volume during the treatment period. The results showed that the mice in the control group experienced an almost 3.5-fold increase in the tumor volume during 15 days, while, the mice in the MHT group had a mild increase in the tumor volume (1.8-fold) within the same period (P < 0.05). These outcomes give promise that FA@Fe3O4 NPs can be used as theranostic agents for the MRI and MHT applications.

Targeting chemo-proton therapy on C6 cell line using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with folate and paclitaxel

PURPOSE

This report presents novel nanoparticle-based drug delivery system (NPDDS) aiming to targeting chemo-proton therapy (TCPT) to improve the therapeutic efficacy on brain cancer treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A NPDDS, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with folate and paclitaxel, was synthesized and applied to C6 brain cancer cell line that was prepared for TCPT. The characterization of NPDDS was analyzed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The uptake of NPDDS into the cytoplasm of C6 cells was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The therapeutic efficacy of proton beam was quantitatively evaluated by flow cytometry and clonogenic assay at various radiation dose.

RESULTS

NPDDS was synthesized in the uniform size distribution with a mean diameter of 5.44 ± 0.70 nm, and it showed no significant cytotoxicity at the concentration lower than 200 ng/mL. Radiosensitization enhancement factors of PTX, D-SPIONs and FA-PTX-D-SPIONs were 1.35, 1.16 and 1.52, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that TCPT improved the therapeutic efficacy of the proton beam therapy when the synthesized novel NPDDS was administrated. The improvement in therapeutic efficacy was achieved by the synergetic effect of drug delivery increased by FA, radiosensitivity increased by PTX and absorption of proton energy increased by SPIONs.

Novel redox-responsive polymeric magnetosomes with tunable magnetic resonance property for in vivo drug release visualization and dual-modal cancer therapy

Monitoring of in vivo drug release from nan by non-invasive approaches Remains very challenging. Herein we report on novel redox-responsive polymeric magnetosomes (PolyMags) with tunable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties for in vivo drug release monitoring and effective dual-modal cancer therapy. The encapsulation of doxorubicin (DOX) significantly decreased PolyMags' T2 contrast enhancement and transverse relaxation rate R2, depending on the drug loading level. The T2 enhancement and R2 could be recovered once the drug was released upon PolyMags' disassembly. T2 & T2* MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were utilized to quantitatively study the correlation between MRI signal changes and drug release, and discover the MR tuning mechanisms. We visualized the in vivo drug release pattern based on such tunable MRI capability via monitoring the changes in T2-weighted images, T2 & T2* maps and R2 & R2* values. Interestingly, the PolyMags possessed excellent photothermal effect, which could be further enhanced upon DOX loading. The PolyMags were highly efficacious to treat breast tumors on xenograft model with tumor-targeted photothermal-and chemo-therapy, achieving a complete cure rate of 66.7%. The concept reported here is generally applicable to other micellar and liposomal systems for image-guided drug delivery & release applications toward precision cancer therapy.

Facile Synthesis of Folic Acid-Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted MR Imaging in Pulmonary Tumor Xenografts

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to develop folic acid (FA)-modified iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) for targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of H460 lung carcinoma cells.

PROCEDURES

Water-dispersible Fe3O4 NPs synthesized via a mild reduction method were conjugated with FA to generate FA-targeted Fe3O4 NPs. The specificity of FA-targeted Fe3O4 NPs to bind FA receptor was investigated in vitro by cellular uptake and cell MRI and in vivo by MRI of H460 tumors.

RESULTS

The formed NPs displayed good biocompatibility and ultrahigh r 2 relaxivity (440.01/mM/s). The targeting effect of the NPs to H460 cells was confirmed by in vitro cellular uptake and cell MRI. H460 tumors showed a significant reduction in T2 signal intensity at 0.85 h, which then recovered and returned to control at 2.35 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the prepared FA-targeted Fe3O4 NPs have potential to be used as T2 negative contrast agents in targeted MRI.

Functional magnetic hybrid nanomaterials for biomedical diagnosis and treatment

Magnetic nanomaterials integrating supplemental functional materials are called magnetic hybrid nanomaterials (MHNs). Such MHNs have drawn increasing attention due to their biocompatibility and the potential applications either as alternative contrast enhancing agents or effective heat nanomediators in hyperthermia therapy. The joint function comes from the hybrid nanostructures. Hybrid nanostructures of different modification can be easily achieved owing to the large surface-area-to-volume ratio and sophisticated surface characteristic. In this focus article, we mainly discussed the design and synthesis of MHNs and their applications as multimodal imaging probes and therapy agents in biomedicine. These MHNs consisting magnetic nanomaterials with functional nanocomponents such as noble metal or isotopes could perform not only superparamagnetism but also features that can be adapted in, for example, enhancing computed tomography contrast modalities, positron emission tomography, and single-photon emission computed tomography. The combination of several techniques provides more comprehensive information by both synergizing the advantages, such as quantitative evaluation, higher sensitivity and spatial resolution, and mitigating the disadvantages. Such hybrid nanostructures could also provide a unique nanoplatform for enhanced medical tracing, magnetic field, and light-triggered hyperthermia. Moreover, potential advantages and opportunities will be achieved via a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic agents within a single platform, which is so-called 'theranostics.' We expect the combination of unique structural characteristics and integrated functions of multicomponent magnetic hybrid nanomaterials will attract increasing research interest and could lead to new opportunities in nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1476. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1476 This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices.

Active targeting theranostic iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound ablation of lung cancer

Despite its great promise in non-invasive treatment of cancers, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is currently limited by the insensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for visualization of small tumors, low efficiency of in vivo ultrasonic energy deposition, and damage to surrounding tissues. We hereby report the development of an active targeting nano-sized theranostic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) platform for significantly increasing the imaging sensitivity and energy deposition efficiency using a clinical MRgFUS system. The surfaces of these PEGylated SPIO nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated with anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for targeted delivery to lung cancer with EGFR overexpression. The potential of these targeted nano-theranostic agents for MRI and MRgFUS ablation was evaluated in vitro and in vivo in a rat xenograft model of human lung cancer (H460). Compared with nontargeting PEGylated SPIO NPs, the anti-EGFR mAb targeted PEGylated SPIO NPs demonstrated better targeting capability to H460 tumor cells and greatly improved the MRI contrast at the tumor site. Meanwhile, this study showed that the targeting NPs, as synergistic agents, could significantly enhance the efficiency for in vivo ultrasonic energy deposition in MRgFUS. Moreover, we demonstrated that a series of MR methods including T2-weighted image (T2WI), T1-weighted image (T1WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and contrast-enhanced T1WI imaging, could be utilized to noninvasively and conveniently monitor the therapeutic efficacy in rat models by MRgFUS.

Investigation of biological cell–small molecule interactions with a gold surface plasmon resonance sensor using a laser scanning confocal imaging-surface plasmon resonance system

In our work, we investigated the interactions between a small molecule, folic acid, and biological cells through the interaction of folic acid and folate receptors using a laser scanning confocal imaging-surface plasmon resonance (LSCI-SPR) system.

Facile synthesis of magnetic core-shell nanocomposites for MRI and CT bimodal imaging

With the development of nanotechnology, nanocomposites have been used as bimodal contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. We have developed a facile method for the synthesis of iron oxide@bismuth sulfide magnetic core-shell nanocomposites. These bifunctional nanocomposites can be made water-soluble via PEG coating and present strong MRI/CT contrast enhancement. Evaluation of cytotoxicity by MTT assay shows that the nanocomposites have low cytotoxicity. The results illustrate that the nanocomposites have great potential as bimodal imaging agents for MR/CT.