Molecular MRI for sensitive and specific detection of lung metastases

Abstract

Early and specific detection of metastatic cancer cells in the lung (the most common organ targeted by metastases) could significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes. However, the most widespread lung imaging methods use ionizing radiation and have low sensitivity and/or low specificity for cancer cells. Here we address this problem with an imaging method to detect submillimeter-sized metastases with molecular specificity. Cancer cells are targeted by iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with cancer-binding ligands, then imaged by high-resolution hyperpolarized 3 He MRI. We demonstrate in vivo detection of pulmonary micrometastates in mice injected with breast adenocarcinoma cells. The method not only holds promise for cancer imaging but more generally suggests a fundamentally unique approach to molecular imaging in the lungs.hyperpolarized gas MRI | superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles | luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

Real-time and non-invasive optical imaging of tumor-targeting glycol chitosan nanoparticles in various tumor models

“…Early and specific detection of metastatic tumors could significantly improve clinical treatment of cancers, but targeted delivery to these widely spread metastatic cells is more difficult than other isolated solid tumor models [35]. In metastasis model, CNPs also showed its superior tumor-targeting ability to spread metastatic tumor cells in whole lung organ.…”

Targeted hyperthermia-induced cancer cell death by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

“…Although it is too early to comment on clinical use(s) of SPIONs@Au-LHRH, a promise along these lines is indicated based on the fact that GT1-7 neurons elaborate HSP70 and thus are resistant from the toxicity associated with the MNP-induced heat stress. Considering that our recent investigations demonstrate extremely sensitive in vivo detection of pulmonary micrometastases using LHRH-SPIONs as MRI contrast agents [29], we believe there is potential opportunity for application of SPIONs@ Au-LHRH in diagnosis as well as therapy. …”

Advances in bio-imaging: A survey from WWMR 2010

“…Innovative ideas have been also introduced for pursuing early diagnosis of lung micrometastases based on the use of hyperpolarized gases in the presence of paramagnetic nanoparticles (SPION) [7]. These particles generate strong local gradients of magnetic susceptibility that, in turn, induce very fast polarization decay.…”