Albumin Coating Prevents Cardiac Effect of the Magnetic Nanoparticles

Recent Advancements and Strategies for Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier Using Albumin-Based Drug Delivery Systems to Treat Brain Cancer, with a Focus on Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor, and the most prevalent primary malignant tumor affecting the brain and central nervous system. Recent research indicates that the genetic profile of GBM makes it resistant to drugs and radiation. However, the main obstacle in treating GBM is transporting drugs through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Albumin is a versatile biomaterial for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The efficiency of albumin-based delivery systems is determined by their ability to improve tumor targeting and accumulation. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence of human glioblastoma and the currently adopted treatment, as well as the structure and some essential functions of the BBB, to transport drugs through this barrier. We will also mention some aspects related to the blood-tumor brain barrier (BTBB) that lead to poor treatment efficacy. The properties and structure of serum albumin were highlighted, such as its role in targeting brain tumors, as well as the progress made until now regarding the techniques for obtaining albumin nanoparticles and their functionalization, in order to overcome the BBB and treat cancer, especially human glioblastoma. The albumin drug delivery nanosystems mentioned in this paper have improved properties and can overcome the BBB to target brain tumors.

Hybrid Nanoparticles of Citrate-Coated Manganese Ferrite and Gold Nanorods in Magneto-Optical Imaging and Thermal Therapy

The development of nanomaterials has drawn considerable attention in nanomedicine to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment over the last decades. Gold nanorods (GNRs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been known as commonly used nanostructures in biomedical applications due to their attractive optical properties and superparamagnetic (SP) behaviors, respectively. In this study, we proposed a simple combination of plasmonic and SP properties into hybrid NPs of citrate-coated manganese ferrite (Ci-MnFe₂O₄) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated GNRs (CTAB-GNRs). In this regard, two different samples were prepared: the first was composed of Ci-MnFe₂O₄ (0.4 wt%), and the second contained hybrid NPs of Ci-MnFe₂O₄ (0.4 wt%) and CTAB-GNRs (0.04 wt%). Characterization measurements such as UV-Visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed electrostatic interactions caused by the opposing surface charges of hybrid NPs, which resulted in the formation of small nanoclusters. The performance of the two samples was investigated using magneto-motive ultrasound imaging (MMUS). The sample containing Ci-MnFe₂O₄_CTAB-GNRs demonstrated a displacement nearly two-fold greater than just using Ci-MnFe₂O₄; therefore, enhancing MMUS image contrast. Furthermore, the preliminary potential of these hybrid NPs was also examined in magnetic hyperthermia (MH) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) modalities. Lastly, these hybrid NPs demonstrated high stability and an absence of aggregation in water and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) medium. Thus, Ci-MnFe₂O₄_CTAB-GNRs hybrid NPs can be considered as a potential contrast agent in MMUS and PAI and a heat generator in MH.

Biodistribution Profile of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cirrhosis-Associated Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats by AC Biosusceptometry

Since magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been used as multifunctional probes to diagnose and treat liver diseases in recent years, this study aimed to assess how the condition of cirrhosis-associated hepatocarcinogenesis alters the biodistribution of hepatic MNPs. Using a real-time image acquisition approach, the distribution profile of MNPs after intravenous administration was monitored using an AC biosusceptometry (ACB) assay. We assessed the biodistribution profile based on the ACB images obtained through selected regions of interest (ROIs) in the heart and liver position according to the anatomical references previously selected. The signals obtained allowed for the quantification of pharmacokinetic parameters, indicating that the uptake of hepatic MNPs is compromised during liver cirrhosis, since scar tissue reduces blood flow through the liver and slows its processing function. Since liver monocytes/macrophages remained constant during the cirrhotic stage, the increased intrahepatic vascular resistance associated with impaired hepatic sinusoidal circulation was considered the potential reason for the change in the distribution of MNPs.

Serum Albumin for Magnetic Nanoparticles Coating

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have great potential in biochemistry and medical science. In particular, iron oxide nanoparticles have demonstrated a promising effect in various biomedical applications due to their high magnetic properties, large surface area, stability, and easy functionalization. However, colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and potential toxicity of MNPs in physiological environments are crucial for their in vivo application. In this context, many research articles focused on the possible procedures for MNPs coating to improve their physic-chemical and biological properties. This review highlights one viable fabrication strategy of biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles using human serum albumin (HSA). HSA is mainly a transport protein with many functions in various fundamental processes. As it is one of the most abundant plasma proteins, not a single drug in the blood passes without its strength test. It influences the stability, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of different drug-delivery systems by binding or forming its protein corona on the surface. The development of albumin-based drug carriers is gaining increasing importance in the targeted delivery of cancer therapy. Considering this, HSA is a highly potential candidate for nanoparticles coating and theranostics area and can provide biocompatibility, prolonged blood circulation, and possibly resolve the drug-resistance cancer problem.

Corona protein impacts on alternating current biosusceptometry signal and circulation times of differently coated MnFe2O4 nanoparticles

Background: We evaluated the impacts of corona protein (CP) formation on the alternating current biosusceptometry (ACB) signal intensity and in vivo circulation times of three differently coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNP): bare, citrate-coated and bovine serum albumin-coated MNPs. Methods: We employed the ACB system, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis. Results: Higher CP formation led to a greater reduction in the in vitro ACB signal intensity and circulation time. We found fewer proteins forming the CP for the bovine serum albumin-coated MNPs, which presented the highest circulation time in vivo among the MNPs studied. Conclusion: These data showed better biocompatibility, stability and magnetic signal uniformity in biological media for bovine serum albumin-coated MNPs than for citrate-coated MNPs and bare MNPs.

Noninvasive intratumoral thermal dose determination during in vivo magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia: combining surface temperature measurements and computer simulations

PURPOSE

Noninvasive thermometry during magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia (MNH) remains a challenge. Our pilot study proposes a methodology to determine the noninvasive intratumoral thermal dose during MNH in the subcutaneous tumor model.

METHODS

Two groups of Ehrlich bearing-mice with solid and subcutaneous carcinoma, a control group (n = 6), and a MNH treated group (n = 4) were investigated. Histopathology was used to evaluate the percentage of non-viable lesions in the tumor. MNH was performed at 301 kHz and 17.5 kA.m^-1, using a multifunctional nanocarrier. Surface temperature measurements were obtained using an infrared camera, where an ROI with 750 pixels was used for comparison with computer simulations. Realistic simulations of the bioheat equation were obtained by combining histopathology intratumoral lesion information and surface temperature agreement of at least 50% of the pixel's temperature data calculated and measured at the surface.

RESULTS

One animal of the MNH group showed tumor recurrence, while two others showed complete tumor remission (monitored for 585 days). Sensitivity analysis of the simulation parameters indicated low tumor blood perfusion. Numerical simulations indicated, for the animals with complete remission, an irreversible tissue injury of 91 ± 5% and 100%, while the one with recurrence had a lower value, 56 ± 7%. The computer simulations also revealed the in vivo heat efficiency of the nanocarrier.

CONCLUSION

A new methodology for determining noninvasively the three-dimensional intratumoral thermal dose during MNH was developed. The method demonstrates the potential for predicting the long-term preclinical outcome of animals treated with MNH.