Single-Component Bismuth Nanoparticles as a Theranostic Agent for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Glioma Therapy

Abstract

Single-component nanomaterials such as bismuth (Bi) based on nanoparticles (NPs) intrinsically having both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are widely needed in biomedical fields. However, their design and fabrication still face enormous challenges. Here, a kind of pure Bi NPs with ultrahigh X-ray attenuation coeffcient was developed and evaluated as a simple but powerful theranostic nanomaterals and potent light-to-heat conversion efficiency for photoacuostic imaging (PAI)/photothermal therapy (PTT) in this study. The prepared pure Bi NPs showed excellent photothermal performance and the temperature of NPs solution (1 mg/mL) increased to 70 °C under near-infrared light irradiation within 4 min. The pure Bi NPs showed obvious enhancement effect both in X-ray computed tomography (CT) and PA imaging modalities in vivo . In addition, the glioma growth was efficiently suppressed by the pure Bi NPs after 808 nm laser irradiation, while maintained the biosafety and low toxicity. Thus, it is notable that this type of Bi nanomaterial has great potential in multi-imaging guided cancer treatment.

Application of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy

“…These characteristics make them suitable to be used in PAI and PTT. In one study, bismuth NPs were able to increase the temperature by 70 degrees Celsius within 4 min under infrared irradiation in PTT [ 184 ]. Carbon nanotubes have advantageous optical, thermal, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties.…”

Medical Applications of Metallic Bismuth Nanoparticles

“…Lu et al recently prepared Bi NPs coated with PEG-2000-2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3phosphoethanolamine (Bi@DSPE-PEG NPs), which were used as CT and PAI contrast agents and PTT agents [32]. The performance of the Bi@DSPE-PEG NPs as CT and PAI contrast agents was demonstrated with phantoms (HU measurement and PA signals as functions of Bi concentration) and in vivo by measurement of PA and CT signals after the Bi NPs were IV injected into the C6 glioma tumour-bearing mice.…”

“…Bi@DSPE-PEG NPs exhibited no cytotoxicity in C6 and Cos-7 cells [32]. Liver function was measured and blood was analysed after the DSPE-PEG-Bi NPs (200 µL of a 10 mg mL −1 Bi@DSPE-PEG NP solution) were IV injected into C6 glioma tumour-bearing mice.…”

A Greener Chemistry Process Using Microwaves in Continuous Flow to Synthesize Metallic Bismuth Nanoparticles

“…On the other hand, Cui et al have characterized bismuth NPs photocatalytic activity . Finally, several recent works have shown the interest of bismuth NPs in medical applications, especially as antimicrobial agents, as contrast agents in X-ray imaging − or in photoacoustic imaging, − and as radiosensitizers that can potentiate radiotherapy − or thermotherapy. − ,,, In view of many advantages and different applications of metallic bismuth, the development of a new process to synthesize these nanoparticles is considered in this work. Our strategy has been developed with respect to all settings established in greener nanoparticle preparation. , Indeed, in the published articles mentioning metallic bismuth NPs syntheses, which have been reviewed and critically discussed, no synthesis is known in light of the six principles of new nanomaterial design .…”

“…8 Finally, several recent works have shown the interest of bismuth NPs in medical applications, 9 especially as antimicrobial agents, as contrast agents in X-ray imaging 10−14 or in photoacoustic imaging, 15−18 and as radiosensitizers that can potentiate radiotherapy 19−25 or thermotherapy. [15][16][17][18]24,26,27 In view of many advantages and different applications of metallic bismuth, the development of a new process to synthesize these nanoparticles is considered in this work. Our strategy has been developed with respect to all settings established in greener nanoparticle preparation.…”