HSA—Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for MRI-Guided Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising technique for cancer treatment; however, low tissue permeability for irradiating light and insufficient photosensitizer (PS) accumulation in tumors limit its clinical potential. Nanoparticles are engineered to improve selective drug delivery to tumor sites, but its accumulation is highly variable between tumors and patients. Identifying PS accumulation peak in a personalized manner is crucial for therapeutic outcome. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) provide opportunity for tracking drug accumulation in dynamics using non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of the study was to evaluate MNP loaded with PS as a theranostic tool for treating cancer in mice xenograft colon cancer models. Methods: MNPs coated with human serum albumin (HSA) were loaded with bacteriochlorine a. MRI, atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) and fluorescent imaging were used to study MNP and drug accumulation rates and dynamics in CT26 tumors. Tumor growth curves were evaluated in animals that received PDT at different time points upon MNP systemic injection. Results: Peak MNP accumulation in tumors was detected by MRI 60 min post injection (pi) and the data were verified by AES and fluorescent imaging. Up to 17% of injected dose/g of tissue was delivered to malignant tissues 24 h after injection. Consistent with MRI predicted drug accumulation peak PDT performed 60 min after intravenous injection was more efficient in inhibiting tumor growth than treatment scheduled 30 min and 240 min pi. Conclusions: PS loading on HAS-coated MNPs is a perspective approach to increase drug delivery to tumor site. Tracking for MNP accumulation by MRI can be used to predict drug concentration peak in tumors and to adjust PDT time scheduling for improved antitumor response.

Photosensitizing potential of tailored magnetite hybrid nanoparticles functionalized with levan and zinc (II) phthalocyanine

“…This property leads to poor solubility of the photosensitizer molecules and causes aggregation in the biological media. Another limitation pertains to the partial retention of the photosensitizer in healthy cells or difficult excretion of the photosensitizer from normal tissues [10]. All the aspects mentioned above lead to a significant decrease in PDT efficiency.…”

“…It goes without saying the materials applied in biomedicine and pharmacy should express good biocompatibility and be non-toxic. Therefore, it is worth noting that these criteria are fulfilled by some polysaccharide polymers, such as chitosan, starch, or dextran [10]. Polysaccharides comprise a large family of naturally occurring polymeric carbohydrates.…”

Imaging Constructs: The Rise of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

“…Multicore iron oxide nanoparticles (maghemite) coated with poly (4-vinylpyridine)-PEG copolymer and having an average hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 20 nm, crossed the glomerulus wall and were mostly excreted through the urine. Thus, they avoided the effects of RES, as confirmed by SPECT, gamma counting (after radiolabelling with 111 In ions), T 2 -MRI biodistribution studies on BALB/cJRj mice. The simple, new, reliable and direct radiolabelling method presented by the authors could be applied to prepare magnetic nanocarrier MRI/SPECT contrast agents for kidneys [222].…”

“…Nonetheless, even if both techniques have quantitative advantages over MRI and optical imaging, the poor resolution of PET led to the design of hybrid imaging to track molecular events [7]. The most commonly used radionuclides in nuclear medicine include 99m Tc (metastable, short life of 6 h) and 111 In (half-life of 2.8 days) for SPECT imaging, and 64 Cu (t 1/2 =12.7 h), 18 F (t 1/2 = 109.8 min) and 68 Ga (t 1/2 = 68.1 min) for PET [8].…”

Wearable Fixation Device for a Magnetically Controllable Therapeutic Agent Carrier: Application to Cartilage Repair

“…Recently, magnetically controllable therapeutic agent carriers (MCTACs) have emerged as a suitable candidate facilitating the development of precisely targeted drug delivery systems. As MCTACs contain magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), they can be controlled and directed to a target lesion by means of external permanent magnets or electromagnetic actuation system (EMA) [1][2][3][4]. Owing to the advantages of minimally invasive surgery and accompanied by a strong targeting ability and reduced side effects, MCTACs have been highlighted for their precise therapeutic delivery, particularly in terms of cell-based therapeutics and triggered drug releases [5].…”