Polymeric nanomedicine for cancer MR imaging and drug delivery

Abstract

Multifunctional nanomedicine is emerging as a highly integrated platform that allows for molecular diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and simultaneous monitoring and treatment of cancer. Advances in polymer and materials science are critical for the successful development of these multi-component nanocomposites in one particulate system with such a small size confinement (<200 nm). Currently, several nanoscopic therapeutic and diagnostic systems have been translated into clinical practices. In this feature article, we will provide an up-to-date review on the development and biomedical applications of nanocomposite materials for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Overview of each functional component, i.e. polymer carriers, MR imaging agents, and therapeutic drugs will be presented. Integration of different functional components will be illustrated in several highlighted examples to demonstrate the synergy of the multifunctional nanomedicine design.

PEGylated polymers for medicine: from conjugation to self-assembled systems

“…Alternatives to conventional linear polymers evolved rapidly in the 1980s and 90s, as described by a number of research groups, such as Fre´chet and Tomalia for dendritic polymers, [5][6][7][8][9] Eisenberg, Wooley, Bates, Discher and others for polymer micelles, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and Torchilin for polymer modified liposomes. [22][23][24][25][26] In conjunction with advances in polymer synthesis came novel synthetic strategies for the conjugation, encapsulation, release, and imaging 27 of drugs. This review will examine some of the advances in synthetic polymers as drug delivery platforms focusing on PEGylation, and discuss ongoing efforts to improve existing conjugates and diversify the range and targets of drug delivery platforms.…”

Curcumin-coordinated nanoparticles with improved stability for reactive oxygen species-responsive drug delivery in lung cancer therapy

“…35,36 The physicochemical characteristic of nanoparticles such as particle size directly influences the cellular uptake and distribution, as well as therapeutic efficiency. 37 Particle sizes in different medium at different time intervals were also measured. No significant size fluctuations in Figures 4C-E were observed, indicating that the nanoparticles were stable at 4°C and in the presence of PBS or in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% FBS.…”

Development of Responsive Lanthanide-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Luminescent Probes for Biological Applications

“…For example, there have recently been advances in the design and synthesis of cell-penetrating and receptor-targeted MR imaging agents. [88][89][90] On the other hand, in the case of luminescent lanthanide complexes, sensors for a targeted analyte can be designed by rationally manipulating the parameters that influence the luminescence of lanthanide complexes, such as varying the number of innersphere water molecules, the distance separating the antenna from the lanthanide ion, the energies of excited states of the antenna, and PeT switches. Thus, a wide variety of analytes can be detected, including pH, ions, reactive oxygen species, and enzymes.…”