Gold Nanoparticles Doped with ¹⁹⁹Au Atoms and Their Use for Targeted Cancer Imaging by SPECT

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles have been labeled with various radionuclides and extensively explored for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the context of cancer diagnosis. The stability of most radiolabels, however, still needs to be improved for accurate detection of cancer biomarkers and thereby monitoring of tumor progression and metastasis. Here we report the first synthesis of Au nanoparticles doped with 199Au atoms for targeted SPECT tumor imaging in a mouse triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) model. By directly incorporating 199Au atoms into the crystal lattice of each Au nanoparticle, the stability of the radiolabel could be ensured. The synthetic procedure also allowed for a precise control over both the radiochemistry and particle size. When conjugated with D-Ala1-peptide T-amide, the Au nanoparticles doped with 199Au atoms could serve as a CCR5-targeted nanoprobe for the sensitive and specific detection of both TNBC and its metastasis in a mouse tumor model.

Targeted Delivery to Tumors: Multidirectional Strategies to Improve Treatment Efficiency

“…Thus, noble metals are now widely used to create tumor targeting agents. Golden, silver and platinum nanoparticle delivery systems showed pronounced antitumor efficacy towards in vitro and in vivo tumor models [94,95,96,97,98] and represented themselves as a potent tumor imaging agents [99,100]. Highly fluorescent quantum dots, up-conversion nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles are the promising tool for fluorescence guided drug delivery [101,102,103,104,105].…”

Gold nanoparticles enlighten the future of cancer theranostics

“…42,81,82 Moreover, the real-time noninvasive monitoring potentially enables a rapid decision on whether the treatment regimen is effective in a given patient. 40,83 Recently, Zhao et al 84 have synthesized gold nanospheres doped with 199 Au atoms using a one-step procedure for single-photon emission CT (SPECT)/CT imaging in an orthotopic mouse xenograft of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The high-stable radiolabeling ability resulted from the incorporation of …”

Radiolabeled Nanoparticles in Nuclear Oncology

“…In an effort to incorporate radioisotopic 199 Au in Au NPs, Zhao Y. et al (2016) once again used gold nanoparticles as nanocarriers. PEGylation and linking to DAPTA followed, in order to provide efficient imaging via SPECT of a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its metastasis [118].…”