Abstract:The combination of multiple functions in a single nanoparticle (NP) represents a key advantage of nanomedicine compared to traditional medical approaches. This is well represented by radiotherapy in which the dose of ionizing radiation should be calibrated on sensitizers biodistribution. Ideally, this is possible when the drug acts both as radiation enhancer and imaging contrast agent. Here, an easy, one‐step, laser‐assisted synthetic procedure is used to generate iron–boron (Fe–B) NPs featuring the set of fun… Show more
“…A possible way to obtain multifunctional NPs is represented by bi-metallic NPs. In this context, Torresan et al [ 41 ] developed, by an easy, one-step, laser-assisted synthetic procedure, iron–boron (Fe–B) NPs coated with a shell of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The obtained NPs, exhibiting an average diameter of 26 ± 15 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), featured the functions required for both neutron capture therapy (NCT) and MRI.…”
Section: Main Technological Strategies and Examples Of Imaging Agents Developed For Improving Diagnostic Efficiencymentioning
Many modern therapeutic approaches are based on precise diagnostic evidence, where imaging procedures play an essential role. To date, in the diagnostic field, a plethora of agents have been investigated to increase the selectivity and sensitivity of diagnosis. However, the most common drawbacks of conventional imaging agents reside in their non-specificity, short imaging time, instability, and toxicity. Moreover, routinely used diagnostic agents have low molecular weights and consequently a rapid clearance and renal excretion, and this represents a limitation if long-lasting imaging analyses are to be conducted. Thus, the development of new agents for in vivo diagnostics requires not only a deep knowledge of the physical principles of the imaging techniques and of the physiopathological aspects of the disease but also of the relative pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical requirements. In this scenario, skills in pharmaceutical technology have become highly indispensable in order to respond to these needs. This review specifically aims to collect examples of newly developed diagnostic agents connoting the importance of an appropriate formulation study for the realization of effective products. Within the context of pharmaceutical technology research in Italy, several groups have developed and patented promising agents for fluorescence and radioactive imaging, the most relevant of which are described hereafter.
“…A possible way to obtain multifunctional NPs is represented by bi-metallic NPs. In this context, Torresan et al [ 41 ] developed, by an easy, one-step, laser-assisted synthetic procedure, iron–boron (Fe–B) NPs coated with a shell of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The obtained NPs, exhibiting an average diameter of 26 ± 15 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), featured the functions required for both neutron capture therapy (NCT) and MRI.…”
Section: Main Technological Strategies and Examples Of Imaging Agents Developed For Improving Diagnostic Efficiencymentioning
Many modern therapeutic approaches are based on precise diagnostic evidence, where imaging procedures play an essential role. To date, in the diagnostic field, a plethora of agents have been investigated to increase the selectivity and sensitivity of diagnosis. However, the most common drawbacks of conventional imaging agents reside in their non-specificity, short imaging time, instability, and toxicity. Moreover, routinely used diagnostic agents have low molecular weights and consequently a rapid clearance and renal excretion, and this represents a limitation if long-lasting imaging analyses are to be conducted. Thus, the development of new agents for in vivo diagnostics requires not only a deep knowledge of the physical principles of the imaging techniques and of the physiopathological aspects of the disease but also of the relative pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical requirements. In this scenario, skills in pharmaceutical technology have become highly indispensable in order to respond to these needs. This review specifically aims to collect examples of newly developed diagnostic agents connoting the importance of an appropriate formulation study for the realization of effective products. Within the context of pharmaceutical technology research in Italy, several groups have developed and patented promising agents for fluorescence and radioactive imaging, the most relevant of which are described hereafter.
“…In this sense, huge efforts are devoted to the development of new theranostic compounds for BNCT (e.g. Refs 25,26,35,38,39). One example is the halogenated (most of them iodinated) carborane derivatives that were shown to provide nuclear imaging by PET-CT (positron emission tomography-computed tomography, 124 I-, a positron emitter) and SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography, 125 I-, a gamma emitter) (Refs [40][41][42].…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…), nanoparticles (e.g. Refs25, 26), boron cluster agents, carrier proteins conjugated with boron compounds (e.g. Refs27, 28) and bimodal drugs (with anti-tumoural and BNCT effects) such as metallocarboranes (e.g.…”
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a tumour selective particle radiotherapy, based on the administration of boron carriers incorporated preferentially by tumour cells, followed by irradiation with a thermal or epithermal neutron beam. BNCT clinical results to date show therapeutic efficacy, associated with an improvement in patient quality of life and prolonged survival. Translational research in adequate experimental models is necessary to optimise BNCT for different pathologies. This review recapitulates some examples of BNCT radiobiological studies for different pathologies and clinical scenarios, strategies to optimise boron targeting, enhance BNCT therapeutic effect and minimise radiotoxicity. It also describes the radiobiological mechanisms induced by BNCT, and the importance of the detection of biomarkers to monitor and predict the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of BNCT alone or combined with other strategies. Besides, there is a brief comment on the introduction of accelerator-based neutron sources in BNCT. These sources would expand the clinical BNCT services to more patients, and would help to make BNCT a standard treatment modality for various types of cancer. Radiobiological BNCT studies have been of utmost importance to make progress in BNCT, being essential to design novel, safe and effective clinical BNCT protocols.
“…In particular, we previously showed that techniques of femtosecond laser ablation and fragmentation can be used to fabricate stable solutions of low-size dispersed NPs of a variety of materials, including Au 28 , 31 , Si 32 , 34 , TiN 33 , 35 , elemental Bi 36 NPs. Recently, methods of laser ablation from a Fe-B alloy target were elaborated for the fabrication of composite Fe-B NPs 37 . The experiments were carried out in acetone in the presence of ligands (polyvinyl pyrrolidone, PVP) to control size characteristics and minimize oxidation effects, which could alter material stoichiometry.…”
Boron-based nano-formulations look very promising for biomedical applications, including photo- and boron neutron capture therapies, but the fabrication of non-toxic water-dispersible boron nanoparticles (NPs), which contain the highest boron atom concentration, is difficult using currently available chemical and plasma synthesis methods. Here, we demonstrate purely aqueous synthesis of clean boron NPs by methods of femtosecond laser ablation from a solid boron target in water, thus free of any toxic organic solvents, and characterize their properties. We show that despite highly oxidizing water ambience, the laser-ablative synthesis process follows an unusual scenario leading to the formation of boron NPs together with boric acid (H3BO3) as an oxidation by-product coating the nanoparticles, which acts to stabilize the elemental boron NPs dispersion. We then demonstrate the purification of boron NPs from residual boric acid in deionized water, followed by their coating with polyethylene glycol to improve colloidal stability and biocompatibility. It was found that the formed NPs have a spherical shape with averaged size of about 37 nm, and are composed of elemental boron in mostly amorphous phase with the presence of certain crystalline fraction. The synthesized NPs demonstrate low toxicity and exhibit strong absorption in the NIR window of relative tissue transparency, promising their use in photoacoustic imaging and phototherapy, in addition to their promise for neutron capture therapy. This combined potential ability of generating imaging and therapy functionalities makes laser-synthesized B NPs a very promising multifunctional agent for biomedical applications.
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