PB@Au Core–Satellite Multifunctional Nanotheranostics for Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging in Vivo and Synergetic Photothermal and Radiosensitive Therapy

Abstract

To integrate multiple diagnostic and therapeutic strategies on a single particle through simple and effective methods is still challenging for nanotheranostics. Herein, we develop multifunctional nanotheranostic PB@Au core-satellite nanoparticles (CSNPs) based on Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are two kinds of intrinsic theranostic nanomaterials, for magnetic resonance (MR)-computed tomography (CT) imaging and synergistic photothermal and radiosensitive therapy (PTT-RT). PBNPs as cores enable T- and T-weighted MR contrast and strong photothermal effect, while AuNPs as satellites offer CT enhancement and radiosensitization. As revealed by both MR and CT imaging, CSNPs realized efficient tumor localization by passively targeted accumulation after intravenous injection. In vivo studies showed that CSNPs resulted in synergistic PTT-RT action to achieve almost entirely suppression of tumor growth without observable recurrence. Moreover, no obvious systemic toxicity of mice confirmed good biocompatibility of CSNPs. These results raise new possibilities for clinical nanotheranostics with multimodal diagnostic and therapeutic coalescent design.

Emerging Strategies of Nanomaterial‐Mediated Tumor Radiosensitization

“…Au‐based nanomaterials are the hottest researched radiosensitizers due to their unique advantages such as chemical inertness, highly biocompatibility, varied morphology for achieving optimum delivery and effect, multiform modification of targeting moieties for specifically delivering to the tumor tissue and longer systemic circulation for providing the material with enough time to be absorbed by tumor tissue . A large amount of articles about Au‐induced tumor radiosensitization can be searched . For example, Zhang et al prepared ultrasmall GSH‐Au nanomolecules for increasing the safety and efficacy of RT .…”

“…Therefore, when combing PTT with RT, the heat generated from PTT can elevate the oxygen level in cancer cells to make the cells more sensitive to radiation, and thus the RT therapeutic effect is availably strengthened. Up to date, a large number of literatures about PTT and RT synergetic therapy can be searched . And we roughly summarized the evolution trends of this synergetic strategy as follows.…”

Potential of MRI in Radiotherapy Mediated by Small Conjugates and Nanosystems

“…The researchers demonstrated 80% inhibition of proliferation of carcinoma cells (CNE) in the presence of 8 mg/L of nanocomposite and down-regulation of EGFR, but most importantly, the accompanying enhancement of sensitivity of CNE to X-ray irradiation by 2.3-fold. Dou et al have doped clinically applied cubic shaped (83 nm) Prussian Blue NPs with AuNPs (13 nm) via electrostatic adsorption [42]. After PEGylation, the final nanocomposite (138 nm) injected intravenously into 4T1 xenograft bearing mice was observed by MRI (both T 1 -and T 2 -weighted images) and CT (gold-contrast) showing accumulation at the tumor site after 24h p.i.…”

Oridonin-loaded and GPC1-targeted gold nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and therapy in pancreatic cancer

“…The tumor volumes were calculated according to the equation (volume = [length×width 2 ]/2). 41 On the 14th day, the tumor and organ samples were harvested from euthanized mice and were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. For H&E staining, tissues were immobilized in 4% paraformaldehyde and were then embedded into paraffin to permit observation of pathological changes in the tissues of different groups under a light microscope.…”