Imaging and therapy with radionuclide labeled magnetic nanoparticles

NUCLEAR MEDICINE: GENERAL APPLICATIONS

Imaging and therapy with radionuclide labeled magnetic nanoparticles

Perihan Ünak^*

Department of Nuclear Applications; Institute of Nuclear Sciences; Ege University, 35100; [e-mail]; Bornova Izmir -Turkey

ABSTRACT

Magnetic nanoparticles offer exciting new opportunities including the improvement of the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hyperthermic treatment for malignant cells, site-specific drug delivery and also the recent research interest of manipulating cell membranes. The biological applications of these nanomaterials require these nanoparticles to have high magnetization values, size smaller than 20 nm, narrow particle size distribution and a special surface coating for both avoiding toxicity and allowing the coupling of biomolecules. In this review, we focus on the feasibility of radionuclide labeled magnetic nanoparticles, as drug carriers, and summarize recent advances in this field.

Key words: Magnetite Nanoparticles, radionuclide, imaging, therapy, targeted drug delivery, iron oxide

RESUMO

Nanopartículas magnéticas oferecem novas oportunidades interessantes, incuindo a melhora da qualidade da imagem de ressonância magnética (MRI), no tratamento hipertérmico para células malignas, na administração de medicamentos sítio-específicos e também no recente interesse da manipulação de membranas celulares. As aplicações biológicas desses nanomateriais requer que essas nanopartículas tenham valores altos de magnetização, tamanho menor que 20 nm, partículas de dimensão de distribuição restrita e um revestimento especial de superfície para evitar a toxicidade e permitir o acoplamento de biomoléculas. Nessa revisão, focalizamos na viabilidade de nanopartículas magnéticas marcadas com radionuclídeos, como transportadoras de medicamentos, e resumimos os recentes avanços nesse campo.

INTRODUCTION

Nanoparticles are colloidal vesicular systems that vary in size from 10 to 1000 nm, and the drug and/or imaging probe of interest is either entrapped therein or attached thereon. The application of methodologies to produce nanoparticles with bioresponsive properties has opened the way for producing useful tools for molecular diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology (Bjerner et al., 2004; Campo, et al., 2005; Jung, 1995; Pintaske et al., 2006; Vassallo et al., 1994; Daldrup et al., 1999). Metal, semiconductor, and magnetic colloidal nanoparticles are presently under intensive study for potential applications (Fuente et al., 2006).

Nano-sized structures range from 1-100 nm - for comparative purposes, a single turn of the DNA helix is 3.4 nm in length, and a eukaryotic cell has dimensions in the range 10-100 mm (Fig. 1).

Nanoparticles have been used in biology and medicine for over 50 years (Kreuter, 2007). Experimental and clinical studies with radioactive colloidal gold in the therapy of serious effusions arising from cancer (Moses et al., 1955). In earlier times, they were generally called colloids, emulsions or aerosols, and included many natural and man-made suspensions. Colloidal radioactive gold or gold salts were used as therapeutic agents for intra-articular injection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis - a practice that continues in the current clinical management of this disease - and for treating cancer in the 1950s (Ahlberg et al., 1969), and colloidal gold or gold granules were used as electron-opaque labels in electron microscopy in the 1960s (Fortina et al., 2007). Since then, a variety of animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the technique, however, only a handful of Phase I/II clinical trials have taken place (Dobson, 2006).

The interest in Magnetic Nanoparticles (ferrofluids) arises from the fact that these liquids can be controlled directly by the application of a magnetic field. Magnetite (Fe3O4) is the best known material as magnetic carrier. Magnetite (Fe304) nanoparticles that have excellent magnetic saturation due to

the strong ferromagnetic behavior,

less sensitivity to oxidation and

relatively low toxicity compared to many other materials (e.g., iron, nickel and cobalt). Additionally, magnetite nanoparticles are

prepared easily

chemically stable

non cancerogen

biodegradable.

Magnetically targeted drug delivery by magnetite nanoparticles is an efficient method of delivering drugs to localized disease sites, such as tumors. Thus high concentrations of carrier molecules such as therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals can be achieved near the target site without any toxic effects to normal surrounding tissue. The interest in magnetite nanoparticles (ironfluids) arises from the fact that these liquids can be controlled directly by the application of a magnetic field.

The ability of Magnetic nanoparticles to enhance proton relaxation of specific tissues and serve as MR imaging contrast agents is one of the most promising applications of nanomedicine. MNPs in the form of superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) have been actively investigated as MR imaging contrast agents for over two decades (Sun et al.2008). Different targets may be obtained with varying the particles size. For example; large iron oxide particles were used for bowel contrast [AMI-121 (i.e. Lumirem and Gastromark) and OMP (i.e Abdoscan), mean diameter no less than 300 nm] (Jung, 1995) and liver/spleen imaging [AMI-25 [i.e. Endorem and Feridex IV, diameter 80-150 nm); SHU 555A (i.e. Resovist, mean diameter 60 nm)] (Pintaske et al., 2006). Smaller iron oxide particles also may be applied for lymph node imaging [AMI-227 (i.e. Sinerem and Combidex, diameter 20-40 nm)] (Vassallo et al., 1994), bone marrow imaging (AMI-227) (Daldrup et al., 1999), perfusion imaging [NC100150 (i.e. Clariscan, mean diameter 20 nm)] and Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography (NC100150) (Bjerner et al., 2004). Even smaller monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles may be used for receptor imaging and magnetically labeled cell probe imaging (Stevens et al., 2008).

Synthesis and surface modification of magnetite nanoparticles

Surface-modification of the magnetite nanoparticle core with a suitable and functional organic core represents an important issue in nanoparticle research for several reasons such as stability, prevent agglemeration or increase affinity to living systems. Mostly relying on ligand exchange reactions has been reported, enabling the modification with polymeric (Thunemann et al.2006), organic (Sonvico et al.2005), and enzyme (Johnson et al.2008). In the most of the works, modification of Fe2O3-nanoparticle-surfaces was performed by use of the amino silane coupling agent, N-[3-(trimethyoxysilyl) propyl]-ethylenediamine (SG-Si900) followed by the ligand or pro-drug was covalently linked to the amine group using glutaraldehyde as cross-linker (Ünak et al.2008). (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). Thiols, disulfides, amines, nitriles, carboxylic acids and phosphines are the other groups that may be used for modification of metal nanoparticles (Neouze and Schubert, 2008).

Surface modification of silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles with amino silane (SG-Si900)

The preparation procedure for silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles is shown in Equations (1) and (2). In step 1, nanomagnetite is formed, which is then coated in step 2 with a silica layer:

Normally surface modification involves development of core-shell structures to create a new types of material in which unique magnetic properties of iron oxide-core are combined with biological functionalities of shell. Each of the coating materials has its own importance in biomedical point of view. Polymers like polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and dextran are used in order to improve the biocompatibility, blood circulation time and to stabilize the colloidal solution (Gupta and Gupta, 2005).

Gelatin is thermally and hydrolytically denatured product of collagen, the most abundant protein in animals, and further, it has been utilized extensively for industrial, pharmaceutical, and medical applications. Properties like biodegradability, biocompatibility and presence of multifunctional groups make gelatin a promising candidate for the surface modification (Maria, et al. 2002). Ideally, gelatin can be used to encapsulate the magnetic nanoparticles and pharmaceutical drugs could be attached on its surface or in their bulk and could be guided to the target organs (Muniyandy et al.2004). Development of magnetic microspheres and nanoparticles, using gelatin as a carrier system, is a new area and only few research works have been carried out (Maria et al. 2002; Muniyandy et al.2004; Saravanan et al. 2003; Gaihre et al. 2008).

Potential radionuclides for labeling of nanoparticles for therapy and imaging

MRI system was used for imaging with magnetic particles, however in the case of radionuclide labeling magnetic particles, hybride imaging such as SPECT-MRI or PET-MRI may be efficiently depend on the decay properties of radionuclide or therapeutic agents or both (imaging and therapy) may be obtained. Several radionuclides labeled magnetic particles such as Re-188 (Jeong and Chung, 2003), In-111 (Heckl, 2007), Y-90 (Shabat et al.2002) and I-125/131 Lankester et al., 2007; Dağdeviren et al., 2007), Tc-99m (Ünak and Medine, 2007; Bekiet al.2008) have been reported in the literature.

However other radionuclides such as Sr-89, Cu-64, Pd-109, Sm-153, Dy-165, Ho-166, Er-169, Lu-177, and Au-198 can also be used for labeling of nanoparticles that have been proposed for radionuclide therapy (Wessels and Mears, 2000; Volkert and Hoffman, 1999; Neves et al.1987a, b), for use as therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals for bone pain palliation, tumor therapy, radiation synovectomy, etc.

Table 1 shows some radionuclides, which have different decay characteristics, and emit particles with different LET and different range. Some of these radionuclides emit photons in addition to particle emission which make them suitable for monitoring the therapy with imaging, and for continuous follow-up of the absorbed dose distribution. Also, preadministration of the therapeutic ligands is possible in estimating the absorbed dose per unit administered activity. Where there is no emission of photons, bremstrahlung imaging might be a solution. Another solution is to label ligands with a gamma-emitting radionuclide with similar chemical properties, preferably an isotope of the same element as the therapeutic radionuclide or an isotope, which have similar chemical properties. Thus, gamma emitting radionuclide can be used for imaging and mechanisms of follow up, other one can be used for therapy. Tc-99m and Re-186, Y-88 and Y-90, I-123 and I-131, In-111 and In-114m are this type of couples.

CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

Colloidal magnetite nanoparticules are alternative in bioimaging and diagnostic applications due to ease of preparation and bioconjugation as well as non-cytotoxic properties. It could be possible to increase this specificity by targeting of the nanoparticles. Because of their size range, 10-100 nm, nanoparticles are very suitable for manipulations at the molecular level, for example cell-receptor binding for site-selective imaging and targeting, localization of encapsulated therapeutics for delivery, and decoration of expression systems for substrate-based nanosensing.

Targeted drug delivery by nanoparticles is a promising method of delivering drugs to localized disease sites, such as tumors. Magnetite, conjugated to radionuclide labeled therapeutic agent may be used for this aim. Thus, high concentrations of carrier molecules such as therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals can be achieved near the target site without any toxic effects to normal surrounding tissue.

We expect that a variety of applications of radionuclide labeled magnetic nanoparticles for hybrid imaging systems such as PET-MRI or SPECT-MRI together with thepeutic radionuclide labeled magnetic nanoparticles for targeted therapy will be developed in the near future.

Received: August 22, 2008;

Accepted: September 05, 2008.

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^*

Author for correspondence

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  20 Feb 2009
• Date of issue
  Dec 2008

History

• Accepted
  05 Sept 2008
• Received
  22 Aug 2008