Preparation and evaluation of bismuth sulfide and magnetite‐based theranostic nanohybrid as drug carrier and dual MRI/CT contrast agent

Abstract

Due to the increased incidence and population growth that has been leading to growing number of cases worldwide, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is crucial. Low density cancer tissue cannot be diagnosed before progressing toward a metastatic stage. Thus, theranostic systems play a significant role in assisting timely diagnosis and treatment. The combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) contrast agents in a single probe is of high importance and necessity, where individual strengths of each approach can be merged while shortcomings of each modality could be compensated. With this motivation, we have developed and synthesized Bi2S3@BSA‐Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a dual MRI/CT contrast agent and carrier of curcumin (CUR) as natural anticancer drug. The nanoparticles shortened both the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2), MRI relaxation times, with a more distinct effect on producing negative contrast (T2) images with a relaxivity (r2) of 54.73 mM−1 s−1. The magnetite/bismuth hybrid nanoparticle also was capable of increasing CT image contrast. Further, in vitro cytotoxicity assay showed high biocompatibility of the synthesized nanoparticles. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity assay on cancer cells showed high anticancer activity of the synthesized nanoparticles.

Recent Metal Nanotheranostics for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: A Review

“…In their groundbreaking paper, Zaho et al [121] developed Bi@mSio 2 @Mno 2 /DOX as a powerful theragnostic agent for CT/MR imaging and photothermal therapy (PPT)/ chemodynamic therapy (CDT)/chemotherapy cancer treatment. More recent evidence [122] shows the effect of reducing T 1 and T 2 relaxation times and increasing CT image contrast of Bi 2 S 3 @BSA-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle as a dual contrast agent for MRI and CT imaging modalities.…”

Biomimetic cell membrane‐coated poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanoparticles for biomedical applications

“…Cancer treatment options include a wide variety of approaches and often include a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy with advances being made in combinatorial strategies as hybrid technologies. 137,138 Yet, there is no panacea and the limitations of conventional methods related to therapeutic performance, tumor targeting specificity and off-target toxicities are being addressed by modification of nanosized drug delivery systems.…”

Enhanced In Vivo Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer Using Gadolinium Oxide and Gold Hybrid Nanoparticles

“…There is a widespread consensus that radiosensitization efforts should prioritize the integration of nanotechnology and radiation. In recent years, nanotechnology has been frequently used as a potential cancer detection and treatment technique in theranostics applications. − Nanoparticles (NPs) have the capability of selectively accumulating in the tumor site through passive targeting, also known as the enhanced permeability and retention effect, which prolongs their circulation time. , Our previous reports illustrated some of the beneficial properties of NPs favoring radiosensitizer agents in cancer treatment. − NPs containing high atomic number (Z) elements, also known as heavy elements, such as gold (Au), gadolinium (Gd), and bismuth (Bi), have been shown as potential radiosensitizer agents due to their high X-ray photon capture cross section and Compton scattering effect. , High Z-elements can release photoelectrons and Auger electrons under the X-ray irradiation which damage cancer cells through dose enhancement effect during radiation therapy . Due to their excellent absorption and ability to generate secondary electrons, AuNPs can boost X-ray dosage deposited in the tumor region and are considered potential radiation therapy sensitizers in cancer therapy .…”