Theranostic approach is currently among the fastest growing trends in cancer treatment. It implies the creation of multifunctional agents for simultaneous precise diagnosis and targeted impact on tumor cells. A new type of theranostic complexes was created based on NaYF4: Yb,Tm upconversion nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and functionalized with the HER2-specific recombinant targeted toxin DARPin-LoPE. The obtained agents bind to HER2-overexpressing human breast adenocarcinoma cells and demonstrate selective cytotoxicity against this type of cancer cells. Using fluorescent human breast adenocarcinoma xenograft models, the possibility of intravital visualization of the UCNP-based complexes biodistribution and accumulation in tumor was demonstrated.
Glioma is the most aggressive type of brain tumors encountered in medical practice. The high frequency of diagnosed cases and risk of metastasis, the low efficiency of traditional therapy, and the usually unfavorable prognosis for patients dictate the need to develop alternative or combined approaches for an early diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. High expectations are placed on the use of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). In this study, we have produced and characterized UCNPs doped with the rare-earth elements ytterbium and thulium. Our UCNPs had photoluminescence emission maxima inthe visible and infrared spectral regions, which allow for deep optical imaging of tumor cells in the brain. Moreover, we evaluated the toxicity effects of our UCNPs on a normal brain and glioma cells. It was revealed thatour UCNPs are non-toxic to glioma cells but have a moderate cytotoxic effect on primary neuronal cultures at high concentrations, a condition that is characterized by a decreased cellular viability and changes in thefunctional metabolic activity of neuron-glial networks. Despite the great potential associated with the use of these UCNPs as fluorescent markers, there is a need for further studies on the rate of the UCNPsaccumulation and excretion in normal and tumor brain cells, and the use of their surface modifications in order to reduce their cytotoxic effects.
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