Percutaneous ultrasound guided PEG-coated gold nanoparticles enhanced radiofrequency ablation in liver

Abstract

To investigate the effects of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles on ablation zone volumes following in vivo radiofrequency ablation of porcine liver. This prospective study was performed following institutional animal care and committee approval was used. Radiofrequency ablations were performed in the livers of ten Sus scrofa domesticus swines. During each ablation, 10 mL (mL) of Peg-coated gold nanoparticles at two different concentrations (0.5 mg/mL and 0.01 mg/mL) were injected through the electrode channel into the target zone. For the control group, 10 mL of physiological saline was used. Five to ten minutes after each ablation, contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed to evaluate the volume of the coagulation zone. On day five we performed another CEUS and the animals were sacrificed. Treated tissues were explanted for quantification of the ablation zones’ volumes. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was also performed for histologic analysis. A total of 30 ablations were performed in the livers. The mean coagulation zone volume as measured by CEUS on day 5 after RFA was: 21.69 ± 3.39 cm3, 19.22 ± 5.77 cm3, and 8.80 ± 3.33 cm3 for N1, N2 and PS respectively. The coagulation zone volume after N1 and N2 treatments was significantly higher compared to PS treatment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025 respectively). There was no difference between N1 and N2 treatment (p = 0.60). In our proof-of concept, pilot study we have shown for the first time that when injected directly into the target tissue during RFA, gold nanoparticles can substantially increase the coagulation zone.

Rational Design of Biomaterials to Potentiate Cancer Thermal Therapy

“…Currently, diverse metallic biomaterials, including Au-, Ag-, and Fe-based nanoparticles, have been reported to enhance the conversion of RF current to heat to achieve better RFA treatment outcomes. ,, Among them, gold nanoparticles have been reported to be able to increase RFA heating via the Joule heating principle, although this is still under debate. In a recent work by Tudor Mocan et al, it was uncovered that swine livers with percutaneous injection of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles through the electrode channel during RFA treatment showed a large coagulation zone volume as determined by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) . In contrast, livers receiving an injection of physiological saline, which is well-known as a concomitant agent for thermal ablation in clinical practice, showed a much smaller coagulation zone volume.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that high electrical conductivity of lesions can promote heating generation by favoring more current flow and power being applied from the RF probe, while high thermal conductivity could endow fast transfer of the generated heat from the direct heating zone to surrounding tissues . Currently, diverse metallic biomaterials, including Au-, Ag-, and Fe-based nanoparticles, have been reported to enhance the conversion of RF current to heat to achieve better RFA treatment outcomes. ,, Among them, gold nanoparticles have been reported to be able to increase RFA heating via the Joule heating principle, although this is still under debate. In a recent work by Tudor Mocan et al, it was uncovered that swine livers with percutaneous injection of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles through the electrode channel during RFA treatment showed a large coagulation zone volume as determined by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) .…”

Present and future of metal nanoparticles in tumor ablation therapy

“…Thus, when combined with thermal, cryo and electro (reversible or irreversible electroporation) ablation techniques, the extent and scope of tumor ablation is further enhanced, thus reducing the possibility of residual tumor after ablation. [225][226][227] However, in subsequent studies, it was found that some of the metal nanoparticles were prone to agglomeration and uneven distribution within the tumor, resulting in an unevenly extended ablation area and degree of ablation, which ultimately did not cover the tumor area perfectly. 207,208 Hence, one of the future research directions is to address the issue of agglomeration and uneven distribution of certain metal nanoparticles within tumors.…”

The Emerging Landscape for Combating Resistance Associated with Energy‐Based Therapies via Nanomedicine

“…Enzymes are biocatalysts that mediate various biological processes, including the inhibition of tumor progression. [266,267] However, the widespread use of enzymes in tumor therapy PEG-GNP [281] Decrease the loss of thermal energy dvGC@PNA [216] Increase the penetration depth Hf-DBB-Ru [238] ACHL [47] Stability…”