Targeted nanoparticles for detecting and treating cancer

Abstract

Enabled by their size and supramolecular structures, nanoparticles (that is, particles of approximately 10 to 100 nanometers) promise to be particularly capable agents in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. When loaded with chemotherapeutic agents, nanoparticle delivery to cancerous tissues relative to healthy tissues may be favorably biased by size and through the attachment of targeting ligands to the surface of the particle. Nanoparticles may be made from a variety of materials, and in addition to chemotherapeutic payloads, nanoparticles can incorporate non-bioactive elements useful as diagnostic and device agents. For example, the inclusion of iron oxide colloids enables nanoparticle use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, and also, through the application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF), enables the particle to generate enough heat to be used for hyperthermic therapeutic applications. In this report, we also introduce novel Magnetic Nanoparticle Hydro-Gel (MagNaGel TM ) materials comprised of chemotherapeutic agents, iron oxide colloids, and targeting ligands. MagNaGel particles were fabricated in the 20-to 40-nm size range with very narrow size dispersion. These particles demonstrate high (410 wt %) chemotherapeutic loading, tumor-associated biomolecular binding, good magnetic susceptibility, and attractive toxicity and circulation profiles in mouse models. Looking forward, the convergence of drug and device on the nano-scale promises treatment modalities that cannot be practiced through traditionally distinct drug and device combinations. MagNaGel nanoparticles are drug-device hybrids that, when used in conjunction with diagnostic MRI and inductive heating, may play a key role in new and powerful cancer treatment regimens. Drug Dev. Res. 67:70-93, 2006.

Monodisperse Magnetite Nanoparticles Coupled with Nuclear Localization Signal Peptide for Cell‐Nucleus Targeting

“…[1][2][3][4] Targeted magnetic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the tissue contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [5,6] to improve the efficiency in anticancer drug delivery, [7,8] and to eliminate tumor cells by magnetic fluid hyperthermia. [9][10][11] Recent synthetic progress makes it possible to produce mono disperse iron oxide nanoparticles with controlled sizes and magnetic properties, [12][13][14][15] but interactions between these nanoparticles and biomolecular entities, especially various tumor cells, are rarely studied owing to the challenge in nanoparticle functionalization and stabilization.…”

Impact of nanotechnology in breast cancer

“…They have been used in breast cancer rat models to highlight the leaky microvasculature of breast carcinomas (using the MRI data), which can correlate with tumor grade and differentiate them from benign breast lesions [13]. Additionally, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) conjugated USPIOs have been shown to enhance MRI and microscopy of LHRH receptor-expressing breast cancers (and their lung metastases) in mouse models [12].…”

“…Traditional systemic anthracycline preparations can have poor target tissue penetration and significant cardiotoxic side effects requiring regular monitoring of cardiac function [1,13]. Nanoparticle anthracycline preparations have been developed to address these issues and are now licenced for use in the USA and Europe [1,2].…”

“…This is a tumor-targeting mechanism known as enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) [1,14,15]. By adding polyethylene glycol to the vector, clearance from the system is prolonged [4,[13][14][15]. Liposomal doxorubicin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin have been compared with conventional (systemic) doxorubicin in first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.…”

“…Impact of nanotechnology in breast cancer those taking the modified preparation had significantly fewer cardiotoxic and neutropenic effects [2,4,13,16]. Liposomal doxorubicin (in combination with cyclophosphamide) is approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in Europe, but is not currently recommended by National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) [15,16].…”