Image-guided interventional therapy for cancer with radiotherapeutic nanoparticles

Abstract

One of the major limitations of current cancer therapy is the inability to deliver tumoricidal agents throughout the entire tumor mass using traditional intravenous administration. Nanoparticles carrying beta-emitting therapeutic radionuclides that are delivered using advanced image-guidance have significant potential to improve solid tumor therapy. The use of image-guidance in combination with nanoparticle carriers can improve the delivery of localized radiation to tumors. Nanoparticles labeled with certain beta-emitting radionuclides are intrinsically theranostic agents that can provide information regarding distribution and regional dosimetry within the tumor and the body. Image-guided thermal therapy results in increased uptake of intravenous nanoparticles within tumors, improving therapy. In addition, nanoparticles are ideal carriers for direct intratumoral infusion of beta-emitting radionuclides by convection enhanced delivery, permitting the delivery of localized therapeutic radiation without the requirement of the radionuclide exiting from the nanoparticle. With this approach, very high doses of radiation can be delivered to solid tumors while sparing normal organs. Recent technological developments in image-guidance, convection enhanced delivery and newly developed nanoparticles carrying beta-emitting radionuclides will be reviewed. Examples will be shown describing how this new approach has promise for the treatment of brain, head and neck, and other types of solid tumors.

Radionuclide imaging of liposomal drug delivery

“…Based on preclinical dosimetric studies in mice with human tumor xenografts, the authors estimated that a high-radiation dose could be delivered to tumor lesions (114 mGy/MBq). Since, 177 Lu, 186 Re, and 188 Re emit both ß-particles as well as γ-photons, labeling of liposomes with these radionuclides result directly in theranostic agents [92].…”

Translational radionanomedicine: a clinical perspective

“…Therapeutic radiolabeled nanoparticles could be not only intravenously injected but also directly delivered to target lesions. The image-guided theranostic approach using radiolabeled nanoparticles achieved by intratumoral administration resulted in high radiation dose delivery to the tumor tissues (36). Furthermore, simultaneous imaging and delivery could be an example of theranostic approach of radiolabeled nanoparticles as nanoparticles loaded drugs rather than therapeutic radionuclides.…”

Advancement in treatment and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with radiopharmaceuticals

“…Meanwhile, a number of compounds labeled with therapy radionuclides have been employed for cancer treatment through intratumoral administration [12][13][14][15] . Compared with traditional high-dose external radiation, intratumoral administration delivers more radioactivity to the tumor than the normal structure [16] .…”