Long-term survival following a single treatment of kidney tumors with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and near-infrared radiation

Abstract

Type I fibrillar collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, crucial for the formation and strength of bones, skin, and tendon. Proteolytic enzymes are essential for initiation of the assembly of collagen fibrils by cleaving off the propeptides. We report that Mep1a −/− and Mep1b −/− mice revealed lower amounts of mature collagen I compared with WT mice and exhibited significantly reduced collagen deposition in skin, along with markedly decreased tissue tensile strength. While exploring the mechanism of this phenotype, we found that cleavage of full-length human procollagen I heterotrimers by either meprin α or meprin β led to the generation of mature collagen molecules that spontaneously assembled into collagen fibrils. Thus, meprin α and meprin β are unique in their ability to process and release both C-and N-propeptides from type I procollagen in vitro and in vivo and contribute to the integrity of connective tissue in skin, with consequent implications for inherited connective tissue disorders.proteolysis | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | proteomics | fibrosis | connective tissue

Fractionated photothermal antitumor therapy with multidye nanoparticles

“…It is noteworthy that in the present study, very low laser intensity (625 mW/cm 2 ) was required to achieve fractionated photothermal ablation compared to previous reports of photothermal ablation (4 W/cm 2 ). 1,10 The minimal number of ablations needed to achieve complete tumor destruction is not investigated in the present study and very likely depends on many factors, such as tumor type, tumor size, tumor location, nanoparticle construct (eg, NIR-absorbing component used for ablation), intratumoral distribution of NPs, and concentration of MDT-NPs within tumors. 17 Such investigations would represent the next step in advancing the concept of fractionated tumor photothermal ablation toward clinical application.…”

“…2,7,8,13 Several studies have focused on the effect of photothermal therapy using these nanomaterials using in vivo models. 1,10,13 These in vivo studies have demonstrated that a single photothermal treatment results in partial but incomplete tumor destruction based on long term follow-up of tumor growth. 10,13 Approaches and strategies to improve the efficacy of the photothermal antitumor strategy are needed.…”

Evaluation of MR thermometry with proton resonance frequency method at 7T

“…Evaluation of MR thermometry with proton resonance frequency method at 7T already show great potential for improving diagnosis and therapy because higher temporal/spatial resolution as well as higher TNR could be achieved (21)(22)(23)(24). Therefore, further work evaluating the sensitivity of MR-based temperature mapping at high MR fields is of particular interest.…”

Carbon nanotubes as a novel drug delivery system for anticancer therapy: a review

“…Thermal ablation is a unique property attached with nanotubes to cause an increase of 10 0 C, the temperature rise required to induce a form of hyperthermia in the cells, ultimately causing their death (Burke et al, 2009). It is a universal means of destroying any type of cancer.…”

“…This improves drug uptake into the tumour resulting in more effective chemotherapeutic treatment. It is conceivable that CNTs could be utilised as both a drug-delivery vehicle and as a means of thermal ablation, improving the efficacy of treatment yet with reduced intensity (Burke et al, 2009). …”