Functional roles of magnetic nanoparticles for the identification of metastatic lymph nodes in cancer patients

Artificial intelligence-assisted magnetic resonance lymphography for evaluation of micro- and macro-sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphography (CE-MRL) plays a crucial role in preoperative diagnostic for evaluating tumor metastatic sentinel lymph node (T-SLN), by integrating detailed lymphatic information about lymphatic anatomy and drainage function from MR images. However, the clinical gadolinium-based contrast agents for identifying T-SLN is seriously limited, owing to their small molecular structure and rapid diffusion into the bloodstream. Herein, we propose a novel albumin-modified manganese-based nanoprobes enhanced MRL method for accurately assessing micro- and macro-T-SLN. Specifically, the inherent concentration gradient of albumin between blood and interstitial fluid aids in the movement of nanoprobes into the lymphatic system. The micro-T-SLN exhibits a notably higher MR signal due to the formation of new lymphatic vessels and increased lymphatic flow, allowing for a greater influx of nanoprobes. In contrast, the macro-T-SLN shows a lower MR signal as a result of tumor cell proliferation and damage to the lymphatic vessels. Additionally, a highly accurate and sensitive machine learning model has been developed to guide the identification of micro- and macro-T-SLN by analyzing manganese-enhanced MR images. In conclusion, our research presents a novel comprehensive assessment framework utilizing albumin-modified manganese-based nanoprobes for a highly sensitive evaluation of micro- and macro-T-SLN in breast cancer.

The diagnosis and management of small and indeterminate lymph nodes in papillary thyroid cancer: preoperatively and intraoperatively

Although thyroid cancer is an indolent tumor with a favorable prognosis, lymph node metastasis (LNM) serves as a major concern for many patients. Because LNM is strongly correlated with recurrence, distant metastasis, and shortened survival, a precise and timely diagnosis and following appropriate management for LNM are necessary. However, significant challenges still exist in the diagnosis of small LNs (<1 cm in diameter), and their low volume makes it difficult to determine whether they are metastatic or benign. Therefore, the diagnostic technique for these small and indeterminate LNs (siLNs) has been one of the leading research subjects in recent years. The implementation of innovative technologies, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, frozen section, and molecular detection, has brought great progress to the diagnosis of siLNs. Meanwhile, the strategies for managing siLNs in clinical practice have evolved considerably over the past several years, with several appropriate options recommended by guidelines. In this review, we aim to provide a systematic overview of the latest studies and potential evidence about effective approaches for detecting and evaluating siLNs. Furthermore, the following management modalities of siLNs in different situations are well discussed.

Application of Carbon Nanomaterials to Enhancing Tumor Immunotherapy: Current Advances and Prospects

Recent advances in tumor immunotherapy have highlighted the pivotal role of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon dots, graphene quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes. This review examines the unique benefits of these materials in cancer treatment, focusing on their mechanisms of action within immunotherapy. These include applications in immunoregulation, recognition, and enhancement. We explore how these nanomaterials when combined with specific biomolecules, can form immunosensors. These sensors are engineered for highly sensitive and specific detection of tumor markers, offering crucial support for early diagnosis and timely therapeutic interventions. This review also addresses significant challenges facing carbon nanomaterials in clinical settings, such as issues related to long-term biocompatibility and the hurdles of clinical translation. These challenges require extensive ongoing research and discussion. This review is of both theoretical and practical importance, aiming to promote using carbon nanomaterials in tumor immunotherapy, potentially transforming clinical outcomes and enhancing patient care.

Future challenges of contrast media in radiology

Contrast media (CM) were first used soon after the discovery of X-rays in 1895. Ever since, continuous technological development and pharmaceutical research has led to tremendous progress in radiology, more available techniques and contrast media, and expanded knowledge around their indications. A greater prevalence of chronic diseases, population ageing, and the rise in diagnosis and survival times among cancer patients have resulted in a growing demand for diagnostic imaging and an increased consumption of CM. This article presents the main lines of research in CM development which seek to minimise toxicity and maximise efficacy, opening up new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities through new molecules or nanomedicine. The sector, which is continuously evolving, faces challenges such as shortages and the need for more equitable and sustainable practices.

Application of nanoparticles in breast cancer treatment: a systematic review

It is estimated that cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The primary or secondary cause of cancer-related mortality for women is breast cancer. The main treatment method for different types of cancer is chemotherapy with drugs. Because of less water solubility of chemotherapy drugs or their inability to pass through membranes, their body absorbs them inadequately, which lowers the treatment's effectiveness. Drug specificity and pharmacokinetics can be changed by nanotechnology using nanoparticles. Instead, targeted drug delivery allows medications to be delivered to the targeted sites. In this review, we focused on nanoparticles as carriers in targeted drug delivery, their characteristics, structure, and the previous studies related to breast cancer. It was shown that nanoparticles could reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy drugs while increasing their effectiveness. Lipid-based nanocarriers demonstrated notable results in this instance, and some products that are undergoing various stages of clinical trials are among the examples. Nanoparticles based on metal or polymers demonstrated a comparable level of efficacy. With the number of cancer cases rising globally, many researchers are now looking into novel treatment approaches, particularly the use of nanotechnology and nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer. In order to help clinicians, this article aimed to gather more information about various areas of nanoparticle application in breast cancer therapy, such as modifying their synthesis and physicochemical characterization. It also sought to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interactions between nanoparticles and biologically normal or infected tissues.

Application of biomimetic nanovaccines in cancer immunotherapy: A useful strategy to help combat immunotherapy resistance

Breakthroughs in actual clinical applications have begun through vaccine-based cancer immunotherapy, which uses the body's immune system, both humoral and cellular, to attack malignant cells and fight diseases. However, conventional vaccine approaches still face multiple challenges eliciting effective antigen-specific immune responses, resulting in immunotherapy resistance. In recent years, biomimetic nanovaccines have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional vaccine approaches by incorporating the natural structure of various biological entities, such as cells, viruses, and bacteria. Biomimetic nanovaccines offer the benefit of targeted antigen-presenting cell (APC) delivery, improved antigen/adjuvant loading, and biocompatibility, thereby improving the sensitivity of immunotherapy. This review presents a comprehensive overview of several kinds of biomimetic nanovaccines in anticancer immune response, including cell membrane-coated nanovaccines, self-assembling protein-based nanovaccines, extracellular vesicle-based nanovaccines, natural ligand-modified nanovaccines, artificial antigen-presenting cells-based nanovaccines and liposome-based nanovaccines. We also discuss the perspectives and challenges associated with the clinical translation of emerging biomimetic nanovaccine platforms for sensitizing cancer cells to immunotherapy.

In Vivo PET Detection of Lung Micrometastasis in Mice by Targeting Endothelial VCAM-1 Using a Dual-Contrast PET/MRI Probe

Current clinical diagnostic imaging methods for lung metastases are sensitive only to large tumours (1-2 mm cross-sectional diameter), and early detection can dramatically improve treatment. We have previously demonstrated that an antibody-targeted MRI contrast agent based on microparticles of iron oxide (MPIO; 1 μm diameter) enables the imaging of endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Using a mouse model of lung metastasis, upregulation of endothelial VCAM-1 expression was demonstrated in micrometastasis-associated vessels but not in normal lung tissue, and binding of VCAM-MPIO to these vessels was evident histologically. Owing to the lack of proton MRI signals in the lungs, we modified the VCAM-MPIO to include zirconium-89 (89Zr, t1/2 = 78.4 h) in order to allow the in vivo detection of lung metastases by positron emission tomography (PET). Using this new agent (89Zr-DFO-VCAM-MPIO), it was possible to detect the presence of micrometastases within the lung in vivo from ca. 140 μm in diameter. Histological analysis combined with autoradiography confirmed the specific binding of the agent to the VCAM-1 expressing vasculature at the sites of pulmonary micrometastases. By retaining the original VCAM-MPIO as the basis for this new molecular contrast agent, we have created a dual-modality (PET/MRI) agent for the concurrent detection of lung and brain micrometastases.

Nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery and drug resistance in glioma: New perspectives

Gliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system, with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) having the highest incidence, and their therapeutic efficacy depends primarily on the extent of surgical resection and the efficacy of postoperative chemotherapy. The role of the intracranial blood-brain barrier and the occurrence of the drug-resistant gene O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase have greatly limited the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in patients with GBM and made it difficult to achieve the expected clinical response. In recent years, the rapid development of nanotechnology has brought new hope for the treatment of tumors. Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential in tumor therapy due to their unique properties such as light, heat, electromagnetic effects, and passive targeting. Furthermore, NPs can effectively load chemotherapeutic drugs, significantly reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, and improve chemotherapeutic efficacy, showing great potential in the chemotherapy of glioma. In this article, we reviewed the mechanisms of glioma drug resistance, the physicochemical properties of NPs, and recent advances in NPs in glioma chemotherapy resistance. We aimed to provide new perspectives on the clinical treatment of glioma.

Advanced Nano-Drug Delivery Systems in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

In recent years, the frequency of strokes has been on the rise year by year and has become the second leading cause of death around the world, which is characterized by a high mortality rate, high recurrence rate, and high disability rate. Ischemic strokes account for a large percentage of strokes. A reperfusion injury in ischemic strokes is a complex cascade of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, immune infiltration, and mitochondrial damage. Conventional treatments are ineffective, and the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) leads to inefficient drug delivery utilization, so researchers are turning their attention to nano-drug delivery systems. Functionalized nano-drug delivery systems have been widely studied and applied to the study of cerebral ischemic diseases due to their favorable biocompatibility, high efficiency, strong specificity, and specific targeting ability. In this paper, we briefly describe the pathological process of reperfusion injuries in strokes and focus on the therapeutic research progress of nano-drug delivery systems in ischemic strokes, aiming to provide certain references to understand the progress of research on nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs).