Magnetic fluid hyperthermia inhibits the growth of breast carcinoma and downregulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression

In vivo evaluation of oxidized multiwalled-carbon nanotubes-mediated hyperthermia treatment for breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that contribute to high mortality worldwide. Hyperthermia (HT) was introduced as one of the alternative treatments to treat breast cancer but has major drawback of damaging normal adjacent cells. This study explores the integration effect of multiwalled‑carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in combination with hyperthermia treatment for breast cancer therapy regimes. In this study, acid-functionalized MWCNTs (ox-MWCNTs) were prepared by acid washing methods using H₂SO₄/HNO₃ (98%/68%) with the ratio of 3:1 (ν/ν) and characterized by colloidal dispersibility test, FTIR, TGA, XRD, FESEM and EDX analysis. EMT6 tumor-bearing mice were treated with ox-MWCNTs in combination with local HT at 43 °C. The tumor progression was monitored and the influence of immune response was evaluated. Results from this study demonstrated that mice from ox-MWCNTs in combination with local HT treatment group experienced complete tumor eradication, accompanied by a significant increase in median survival of the mice. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues revealed that tumor treated with combined treatment underwent cell necrosis and there was a significant reduction of proliferating cells when compared to the untreated tumor. This observation is also accompanied with an increase in Hsp70 expression in tumor treated with HT. Flow cytometry analysis of the draining lymph nodes showed an increase in dendritic cells infiltration and maturation in mice treated with combined treatment. In addition, a significant increase of tumor-infiltrated CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells along with macrophages and natural killer cells was observed in tumor treated with combined treatment. Altogether, results presented in this study suggested the potential of ox-MWCNTs-mediated HT as an anticancer therapeutic agent, hence might be beneficial in the future of breast cancer treatment.

Bifunctional scaffolds of hydroxyapatite/poly(dopamine)/carboxymethyl chitosan with osteogenesis and anti-osteosarcoma effect

Bifunctional scaffolds prepared by hydroxyapatite/poly(dopamine)/carboxymethyl chitosan with good osteogenesis and anti-osteosarcoma effect is promising for bone tumor therapy.

Numerical Model for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia in a Realistic Breast Phantom: Calorimetric Calibration and Treatment Planning

This paper aims to apply a proposed, based on calorimetric measurements, a reliable numerical model for magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatment planning of breast cancer. Furthermore, we perform a comparative analysis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and tumour tissue interactions by means of the magnetic-field-dependent Néel and Brownian relaxation times. The analysis was based on an anatomically correct breast model (developed in-house) and a modified linear response theory, which was applied to investigate the heat dissipation from the magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in the breast tumour. The calculations of the single-domain magnetic power losses were conducted for a case where the magnetic field value and the applied frequency were known, but also for the different concentrations of the MNPs in the tumour. Two scenarios were considered: The MNPs mobilised and immobilised in the tumour. In parallel, the eddy currents effect, together with the related temperature distributions, were considered in order to analyse safety issues. By changing the MNP concentration in the tumour, the corresponding temperature distributions were calculated. The eddy current effect, together with the related temperature distribution, were considered in order to analyse safety issues. Varying the MNP concentration in the tumour, the corresponding temperature distribution was calculated. Moreover, the cumulative equivalent minutes at 43   ℃ were analysed. In the anatomically correct breast phantoms, the tissue location can lead to "hot spots" due to the eddy current effect and subsequently to the high gradients of the temperature. That is why the analysis of safety issues related to the overheating side effect should be taken into consideration during the treatment planning of magnetic fluid hyperthermia. The phenomenon of heat dissipation from MNPs is very sophisticated and depends on their concentration, the distribution and the relaxation mechanism in the tumour, together with magnetic field strength and frequency. Furthermore, we inferred that the phenomenon of heat dissipation from MNPs equally depends on MNP-tissue interactions, and it can lead to 30% differences in the power assessment. Nevertheless, the aforementioned factors should be considered in parallel using anatomical, volume-dependent models to enhance the efficiency of in vivo treatment.

Effective elimination of liver cancer stem-like cells by CD90 antibody targeted thermosensitive magnetoliposomes

AIM

To investigate the use of thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs) loaded with magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) and the anti-cancer stem cell marker CD90 (CD90@TMs) to target and kill CD90+ liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs).

METHODS

The hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh7 was used to separate CD90+ LCSCs by magnetic-activated cell sorting. CD90@TMs was characterized and their ability to target CD90+ LCSCs was determined. Experiments were used to investigate whether CD90@TMs combined with magnetic hyperthermia could effectively eliminate CD90+ LCSCs.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated that CD90+ LCSCs with stem cells properties were successfully isolated. We also successfully prepared CD90@TMs that was almost spherical and uniform with an average diameter of 130±4.6 nm and determined that magnetic iron oxide could be incorporated and retained a superparamagnetic response. CD90@TMs showed good targeting and increased inhibition of CD90+ LCSCs in vitro and in vivo compared to TMs.

CONCLUSIONS

CD90@TMs can be used for controlled and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, which may offer a promising alternative for HCC therapy.

Combinatorial immunotherapy and nanoparticle mediated hyperthermia

Immune checkpoint therapy has become the first widely adopted immunotherapy for patients with late stage malignant melanoma, with potential for a wide range of cancers. While some patients can experience long term disease remission, this is limited only to a subset of patients and tumor types. The path forward to expand this therapy to more patients and tumor types is currently thought to be combinatorial treatments, the combination of immunotherapy with other treatments. In this review, the combinatorial approach of immune checkpoint therapy combined with nanoparticle-assisted localized hyperthermia is discussed, starting with an overview of the different nanoparticle hyperthermia approaches in development, an overview of the state of immune checkpoint therapy, recent reports of immune checkpoint therapy and nanoparticle-assisted hyperthermia in a combinatorial approach, and finally a discussion of future research topics and areas to be explored in this new combinatorial approach to cancer treatment.

Physical mechanism and modeling of heat generation and transfer in magnetic fluid hyperthermia through Néelian and Brownian relaxation: a review

Current clinically accepted technologies for cancer treatment still have limitations which lead to the exploration of new therapeutic methods. Since the past few decades, the hyperthermia treatment has attracted the attention of investigators owing to its strong biological rationales in applying hyperthermia as a cancer treatment modality. Advancement of nanotechnology offers a potential new heating method for hyperthermia by using nanoparticles which is termed as magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH). In MFH, superparamagnetic nanoparticles dissipate heat through Néelian and Brownian relaxation in the presence of an alternating magnetic field. The heating power of these particles is dependent on particle properties and treatment settings. A number of pre-clinical and clinical trials were performed to test the feasibility of this novel treatment modality. There are still issues yet to be solved for the successful transition of this technology from bench to bedside. These issues include the planning, execution, monitoring and optimization of treatment. The modeling and simulation play crucial roles in solving some of these issues. Thus, this review paper provides a basic understanding of the fundamental and rationales of hyperthermia and recent development in the modeling and simulation applied to depict the heat generation and transfer phenomena in the MFH.

Thermosensitive/superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-loaded nanocapsule hydrogels for multiple cancer hyperthermia

Magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) has been explored as an efficient and non-invasive treatment for cancer. However, the short retention time of magnetic nanoparticles localized within tumor targets hinders its potential for repeatable treatment. We report herein on the development of an injectable, biodegradable, thermosensitive and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-loaded nanocapsule hydrogels (SPION-NHs) system for multiple MHT and long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast. Transmission electron microscopic images showed the core-shell structure of self-assembled poly(organophosphazene) nanocapsules and multiple embedded SPIONs within the core. The SPION-loaded nanocapusule solution can be transformed into hydrogel form at body temperature via the hydrophobic interaction. The cancer cells were killed efficiently using multiple MHT at moderate temperature through necrosis, as compared to single MHT-induced apoptosis. More than three weeks retention of SPIONs within tumors after a single injection of SPION-NHs facilitated successful multiple MHT, which was monitored by T2-weighted MRI. Furthermore, excellent in vivo anti-cancer effect was observed after four cycles of MHT without severe damage on the surrounding healthy tissues, which was in contrast to single magnetic thermal ablation.

Magnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposites for remote controlled therapies

This review highlights the state-of-the-art in the application of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and their composites for remote controlled therapies. Novel macro- to nano-scale systems that utilize remote controlled drug release due to actuation of MNPs by static or alternating magnetic fields and magnetic field guidance of MNPs for drug delivery applications are summarized. Recent advances in controlled energy release for thermal therapy and nanoscale energy therapy are addressed as well. Additionally, studies that utilize MNP-based thermal therapy in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation to enhance the efficacy of the conventional treatment are discussed.