Image‐Guided Prostate Cancer Therapy Using Aptamer‐Functionalized Thermally Cross‐Linked Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

CG-rich duplex containing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) aptamer-conjugated thermally cross-linked superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (TCL-SPIONs) is reported as prostate cancer-specific nanotheranostic agents. These agents are capable of prostate tumor detection in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and selective delivery of drugs to the tumor tissue, simultaneously. The prepared PSMA-functionalized TCL-SPION via a hybridization method (Apt-hybr-TCL-SPION) exhibited preferential binding towards target prostate-cancer cells (LNCaP, PSMA+) in both in vitro and in vivo when analyzed by T(2) -weighted MRI. After Dox molecules were loaded onto the Apt-hybr-TCL-SPION through the intercalation of Dox to the CG-rich duplex containing PSMA aptamer as well as electrostatic interaction between the Dox-and-polymer coating layer of the nanoparticles, the resulting Dox@Apt-hybr-TCL-SPION showed selective drug-delivery efficacy in the LNCaP xenograft mouse model. These results suggest that Dox@Apt-hybr-TCL-SPION has potential for use as novel prostate cancer-specific nanotheranostics.

Aptamer-based molecular imaging

“…The probe accumulated on the tumor site and effectively inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Thus the probe had the capability of imaging the tumor, targeted delivery of drug and simultaneously monitoring the therapeutic effect (Yu et al, 2011).…”

“…Similarly, targeted MRI can be achieved through aptamer-conjugated contrast reagent. In fact, a PSMA aptamer conjugated with a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle has been successfully applied to image LNCaP xenograft mouse model (Yu et al, 2011). Another example is a nucleolin aptamer conjugated with a cobalt-ferrite nanoparticle for imaging rat glioma (Hwang do et al, 2010).…”

“…Aptamer conjugated contrast reagents can achieve targeted MRI. Aptamer conjugated magnetic beads, CoFe 2 O 4 , Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles have been applied in targeted imaging in animal models (Hwang do et al, 2010;Yu et al, 2011).…”

Thrombotic Inception at Nano-Scale

“…bio-imaging) therapy and a smart combination of both of these properties (Smith et al, 2008;Peng et al, 2000;Li et al, 2003;Murry et al, 2000). Some of advancement of nanotechnology inspired application include improved imaging contrast agents by SPIONS (super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles), targeted delivery of drugs, molecular chaperons and agents to kill specific cancer cells (Yu et al, 2011;Petkar et al, 2011;Patra et al, 2007). Another exclusive application involve magnetic induction (radio frequency) heating or laser induced heating of designer particles, with desirable material and shape attributes (Peterman et al, 2003;Plech et al, 2004).…”

Chemotherapy of Prostate Cancer by Targeted Nanoparticles Trackable by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…In particular, MNPs present exciting new opportunities including dual functionality of site-specific delivery of anticancer drugs coupled with an enhanced quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [8]. Thus, MNPs have the potential to revolutionize current clinical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CaP patients [9][10][11].…”