|
|
|
|
Cancer & Oncology Medical and Health News Headlines
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Recent Cancer & Oncology Medical News Headlines |
|
|
|
|
Nanoshells for Photothermal Cancer Therapy
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States and contributes to yearly rising health care costs. Current methods of treating cancer involve surgical removal of easily accessible tumors, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These methods do not always result in full treatment of the cancer and can in many cases damage healthy cells both surrounding the tissue area and systemically. Nanoshells are optically tunable core/shell nanoparticles that can be fabricated to strongly absorb in the near-infrared (NIR) region where light transmits deeply into tissue. When injected systemically, these particles have been shown to accumulate in the tumor due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and induce photothermal ablation of the tumor when irradiated with an NIR laser. T......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Gold Nanocages for Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Gold nanocages are hollow nanostructures with porous walls that can be simply prepared via the galvanic replacement reaction between silver nanocubes and chloroauric acid. Their optical resonance peaks can be precisely tuned into the near-infrared region, in which the adsorption caused by blood or soft tissue is essentially negligible. Significantly, the strong absorption of gold nanocages makes them attractive as a novel class of contrast enhancement and photothermal agents for cancer detection and treatment. The well-established chemistry for gold also allows them to target specific cells by functionalizing their surface with various moieties such as antibodies, peptides, and DNAs. In this chapter, we focus on their use as a photothermal agent for the ablation of cancer cells and as a co......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Multimodal Nanoparticulate Bioimaging Contrast Agents
A wide variety of bioimaging techniques (e.g., ultrasound, computed X-ray tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography) are commonly employed for clinical diagnostics and scientific research. While all of these methods use a characteristic “energy–matter” interaction to provide specific details about biological processes, each modality differs from another in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, anatomical and molecular details, imaging depth, as well as the desirable material properties of contrast agents needed for augmented imaging. On many occasions, it is advantageous to apply multiple complimentary imaging modalities for faster and more accurate prognosis. Since most imaging modalities employ exogenous contrast agents to improv......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Nanoparticle Characterization for Cancer Nanotechnology and Other Biological Applications
Nanotechnology is actively being used to develop promising diagnostics and therapeutics tools for the treatment of cancer and many other diseases. The unique properties of nanomaterials offer an exciting frontier of possibilities for biomedical researchers and scientists. Because existing knowledge of macroscopic materials does not always allow for adequate prediction of the characteristics and behaviors of nanoscale materials in controlled environments, much less in biological systems, careful nanoparticle characterization should accompany biomedical applications of these materials. Informed correlations between adequately characterized nanomaterial properties and reliable biological endpoints are essential for guiding present and future researchers toward clinical nanotechnology-based so......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Molecular-Targeted Therapy for Cancer and Nanotechnology
In order to stop malignant tumor growth, >90% of a critical biochemical pathway needs to be blocked. Due to extraordinary advances in molecular biology, there is an increased understanding of rationale and relevant molecular targets in cancer. However, due to the heterogeneity of the molecular abnormalities in multiple tumor types, strategies designed to interfere with multiple molecular abnormalities will be necessary to impact survival. Nanoparticles have the potential to provide therapies not possible with other drug modalities. Researchers and clinicians must take advantage of these opportunities in order for nanotechnology to make an impact in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancy. A discussion of relevant targets either on the cell surface or the cytoplasm and strategies to ac......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Liposomal Doxorubicin and nab-Paclitaxel: Nanoparticle Cancer Chemotherapy in Current Clinical Use
Liposomal doxorubicin and nab-paclitaxel are nanoparticle formulations of traditional cancer chemotherapy drugs which have ample clinical experience both pre- and post-nanoparticle modification. The alterations in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and toxicity compared with their parent compounds are instructive for future development of nanoparticle-based therapies. In this article we review the current status of these agents, emphasizing the alterations in clinical behavior resulting from the nanoparticle formulation of the parent compound. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Cancer Research)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Colloidal Gold: A Novel Nanoparticle for Targeted Cancer Therapeutics
Since their initial description in 1857, gold nanoparticles have been used extensively in the fields of diagnostics and therapeutics. Now, gold nanoparticles are engineered to target the delivery of potent anti-cancer therapeutics to solid tumors to improve either their safety or efficacy or both. Described in this chapter is the development of one such nanotherapeutic, termed CYT-6091, that targets the delivery of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) to solid tumors. Outlined in the presentation is a discussion of nanoparticles and specifically colloidal gold, an historical review on the biology of TNF and its limited use in the clinic when administered systemically, and finally, how gold nanoparticles bound with TNF may improve the safety and efficacy profiles of TNF. (Source: Springer prot......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Use of Nanoparticles for Targeted, Noninvasive Thermal Destruction of Malignant Cells
Shortwave (MHz range) radiofrequency (RF) energy is nonionizing, penetrates deeply into biological tissues with no adverse side effects, and heats metallic nanoparticles efficiently. Targeted delivery of these nanoparticles to cancer cells should result in hyperthermic cytotoxicity upon exposure to a focused, noninvasive RF field. We have demonstrated that gold nanoparticles conjugated with cetuximab (C225) are quickly internalized by Panc-1 (pancreatic adenocarcinoma) and Difi (colorectal adenocarcinoma) cancer cells overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Panc-1 or Difi cells treated with naked gold nanoparticles or nonspecific IgG-conjugated gold nanoparticles demonstrated minimal intracellular uptake of gold nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In co......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Current Applications of Nanotechnology for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Apoptosis
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a morphologically and biochemically distinct form of cell death, which together with proliferation plays an important role in tissue development and homeostasis. Insufficient apoptosis is important in the pathology of various disorders such as cancer and autoimmune diseases, whereas a high apoptotic activity is associated with myocardial infarction, neurodegenerative diseases, and advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Consequently, apoptosis is recognized as an important therapeutic target, which should be either suppressed, e.g., during an ischemic cardiac infarction, or promoted, e.g., in the treatment of cancerous lesions. Imaging tools to address location, amount, and time course of apoptotic activity non-invasively in vivo are therefore of great cli......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Photoacoustic Tomography for Imaging Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology is the key to a new, noninvasive photoacoustic imaging technique that could detect early stages of disease tissues. The combination of photoacoustic imaging with nanotechnology holds promise for determining the structural and functional properties of tissues with enhanced sensitivity and specificity and for monitoring the treatment of diseases. In this chapter, we described in detail photoacoustic reconstruction methods and imaging systems. We also review the recent advances in nanoparticles and their in vivo applications in the field of photoacoustic imaging. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Cancer Research)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Antibody Targeting of Nanoparticles to Tumor-Specific Receptors: Immunoliposomes
Immunoliposomes generated by coupling of antibodies to the liposomal surface allow for an active tissue targeting, e.g., through binding to tumor cell-specific receptors. Instead of whole antibodies, single-chain Fv fragments (scFv), which represent the smallest part of an antibody containing the entire antigen-binding site, find increasing usage as targeting moiety. Here we provide protocols for the preparation of type II scFv immunoliposomes by the conventional coupling method as well as the post-insertion method. Furthermore protocols to analyze binding of these immunoliposomes to antigen-expressing cells as well as internalization through receptor-mediated endocytosis are included. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Cancer Research)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
What Is Cancer Nanotechnology?
Cancer nanotechnology has the potential to dramatically improve current approaches to cancer detection, diagnosis, imaging, and therapy while reducing toxicity associated with traditional cancer therapy (1, 2). In this overview, we will define cancer nanotechnology, consider issues related to application of nanotechnology for cancer imaging and therapy, and broadly consider implications for continued development in nanotechnology for the future of clinical cancer care. These considerations will place in perspective the methodological approaches in cancer nanotechnology and subject reviews outlined in this volume. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Cancer Research)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Magnetic Aerosol Targeting of Nanoparticles to Cancer: Nanomagnetosols
Inhalation of aerosols represents the most frequently used drug delivery method for the treatment of lung diseases. To further improve drug efficacy in the lungs, it may be advantageous to control aerosol deposition and target aerosols to diseased or disease-causing lung tissue and cellular structures in order to maximize drug potency and minimize side effects in unaffected tissue. We have recently investigated a novel method which brings aerosol delivery to an advanced level of specificity by making use of magnetic gradient fields to direct magnetizable aerosol droplets containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) specifically to desired regions of the lungs in mice. In this chapter, we will present a detailed description of this procedure for application in mice. (Source......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Targeting of Nanoparticles: Folate Receptor
Nanoparticulate medicines offer the advantage of allowing delivery of large quantities of unmodified drug within the same particle. Nanoparticle uptake by cancer cells can, however, be compromised due to the large size and hydrophilicity of the particle. To circumvent cell penetration problems and simultaneously improve tumor specificity, nanoparticulate medicines have been linked to targeting ligands that bind to malignant cell surfaces and enter cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. In this chapter, we summarize multiple methods for delivering nanoparticles into cancer cells by folate receptor-mediated endocytosis, devoting special emphasis to folate-targeted liposomes. Folate receptor-mediated endocytosis has emerged as an attractive strategy for nanoparticle delivery due to both over......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Nanoparticle–Aptamer Conjugates for Cancer Cell Targeting and Detection
Aptamers are DNA or RNA oligonucleotide sequences that selectively bind to their target with high affinity and specificity. They are obtained using an iterative selection protocol called SELEX. Several small molecules and proteins have been used as targets. Recently, a variant of this methodology, known as cell-SELEX, has been developed for a new generation of aptamers, which are capable of recognizing whole living cells. We have used this methodology for the selection of aptamers, which show high affinity and specificity for several cancer cells. In this chapter, we describe (1) the process followed for the generation of aptamers capable of recognizing acute leukemia cells (CCRF–CEM cells) and (2) the method of enhancing the selectivity and sensitivity of these aptamers by conjugati......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
PEGylated Nanocarriers for Systemic Delivery
In this chapter, we outline the protocols for PEGylation of some drug carriers, such as dendrimer, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, for systemic delivery. PEGylation simply refers to the modification of particle surface by covalently grafting, entrapping, or adsorbing PEG chains of vivid length. However, limitation of simple adsorption being easy displacement of the coating layer in vivo, covalent mode for PEGylation of nanoparticles is mostly preferred, and outlined herein. Derivatization and activation of polyethylene glycol is an important step during PEGylation and its chemistry chiefly relies on availability as well as type of functional groups on carrier periphery. A summarized set of protocols for PEGylation of widely explored nanocarriers for systemic delivery is presented. (Sou......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Identification of Pancreatic Cancer-Specific Cell-Surface Markers for Development of Targeting Ligands
Pancreatic cancer is generally detected at later stages with a poor prognosis and a high-mortality rate. Development of theranostic imaging agents that noninvasively target pancreatic cancer by gene expression and deliver therapies directly to malignant cells could greatly improve therapeutic outcomes. Small-peptide ligands that bind cell-surface proteins and are conjugated to imaging moieties have demonstrated efficacy in cancer imaging. Identification of cancer-specific targets is a major bottleneck in the development of such agents. Herein, a method is presented that uses DNA microarray expression profiling of large sets of normal and cancer tissues to identify targets expressed in cancer but not expressed in relevant normal tissues. Identified targets are subsequently validated for pro......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Synthesis, Characterization, and Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles for Cancer Imaging
This chapter describes the methodology by which mAb-F19-conjugated gold nanoparticles were prepared and used to label human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Specifically, gold nanoparticles were coated with dithiol bearing hetero-bifunctional PEG (polyethylene glycol), and cancer-specific mAb F19 was attached by means of NHS-EDC coupling chemistry taking advantage of a carboxylic acid group on the heterobifunctional PEG. These conjugates were completely stable and were characterized by a variety of methods, including UV–Vis absorbance spectrometry, darkfield microscopy, DLS (dynamic light scattering), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), SEC (size-exclusion chromatography), and confocal microscopy. Nanoparticle bioconjugates were used to label sections of healthy and cancerous human pan......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
The use of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for controlled drug delivery has shown significant therapeutic potential. Concurrently, targeted delivery technologies are becoming increasingly important as a scientific area of investigation. In cancer, targeted polymeric NPs can be used to deliver chemotherapies to tumor cells with greater efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity on peripheral healthy tissues. In this chapter, we describe the methods of (1) preparation and characterization of drug-encapsulated polymeric NPs formulated with biocompatible and biodegradable poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-b-PEG) copolymers; (2) surface functionalization of the polymeric NPs with the A10 2'-fluoropyrimidine ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers that recognize the prosta......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles for Cancer Imaging
In recent years, fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) received immense interest in cancer imaging. FSNPs are a new class of engineered optical probes consisting of silica NPs loaded with fluorescent dye molecules. These probes exhibit some attractive features, such as photostability and brightness, which allow sensitive imaging of cancer cells. In general, FSNPs are chemically synthesized in solution using appropriate silane-based precursors. Fluorescent dye molecules are entrapped during the synthesis process. The synthetic process involves hydrolysis and condensation reactions of silane precursors. Stöber’s sol–gel and water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion methods are two popular chemical methods that have been used for synthesizing FSNPs. Silica matrix is capable of carr......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 07:51 AM --
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional
medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a
qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
