NANOMAGDYE

MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES COMBINED WITH SUBMICRONIC BUBBLES AND DYE FOR ONCOLOGING IMAGING

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The objective of NANOMAGDYE consists in developing tailored biocompatible magneto-optical nanosystems based on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The project will comprise the elaboration of the nanosystems and the characterisation of their structural, optical and magnetic properties. In vitro and in vivo tests will be carried out to test their biocompatibility. The combination of magnetic and optical properties will be achieved through hybrid nanoparticles made of a magnetic iron oxide core on which an organic layer (dye) will be grafted through a dendrimer molecule and a phosphate entity. This grafting strategy will be extended to bubbles on which magnetic nanoparticles will be attached. The grafting sites will be controlled in order to design new geometries and architectures from rings up to submicronic magnetic spheres. Magnetic nanoparticles with monodisperse size between 2 and 100 nm will be elaborated in order to increase the possibility range of achieved properties. The opto-magnetic nanoparticles will be tested in a medical application and a dedicated magneto-optical probe will be fabricated. Current methods for labelling the lymph node system use a dye (vital blue) or radio nuclide injection detected through optical or Gamma probes, respectively, or a combination of both types of markers. Combining optical and magnetic labelling into a single biocompatible nanosystem will provide higher spatial resolution than presently and avoid using ionising radiation to improve patient safety and medical effectiveness. Stabilized submicronic bubbles labelled with the optical-magnetic nanoparticles will play the role of a contrast agent currently used in echography imaging and facilitate the uptake of the iron nanoparticle, and therefore improve node imaging.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The mapping of lymph nodes that act as the sentinels of cancer metastasis is an important detection and diagnostic tool. Scientists have developed novel technology to increase image resolution without the use of ionising radiation.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart disease. Improved prognosis depends on early diagnosis and tumour grading. Detection and mapping of the so-called sentinel node (SN) is critical for effective and minimally destructive biopsy as well as for cancer staging. This node, is the one most likely to contain malignant cells if a tumour has metastasised, or spread to other parts of the body. Conventional methods currently involve the use of radio-labelled substances and ionising radiation.

Non-nuclear detection and imaging techniques are gaining increased attention. Scientists initiated the EU-funded project known as 'Magnetic nanoparticles combined with submicronic bubbles and dye for oncologing imaging' (Nanomagdye) to develop a novel, biocompatible labelling system for SN mapping.

Scientists first sought to develop or modify hybrid nanoparticle systems of two types. One consisted of a magnetic iron oxide core onto which an organic dye layer was grafted, referred to as nano-objects. The other was an organic shell onto which nanoparticles were attached, referred to as magnetic microbubbles. The system combines optical and magnetic characteristics in a single nanoparticle, enabling high-resolution SN detection without the use of ionising radiation. In addition, the super-paramagnetic behaviour of the oxide nanoparticles will potentially enable the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to operating. The magnetic bubbles act as both magnetic and mechanical markers. These were designed such that a surgeon can use a conventional ultrasound probe after injection of the bubble suspension in order to define the skin mammary area for best access to the lymph nodes of interest.

No commercially available surgical probe existed to detect nodes loaded with magnetic nanoparticles. In order to test the nanosystems in vivo using rat models, a novel magneto-optical probe was manufactured consisting of a Fluxset-type magnetic field sensor combined with an electromagnetic field generation coil or coils.

Nanomagdye technology is expected to improve SN imaging and thus the early detection and staging of cancer. Using biocompatible nanoparticles with combined optical, magnetic and mechanical marking properties, the new system should enhance the resolution of spatial mapping without the use of ionising radiation.