Ballroom C
Purpose: Nanoparticle drones (smart nanomaterials) can now be constructed with capability to deliver therapeutic payloads and be activated with radiotherapy photons to release micrometer-range missile-like electrons or reactive oxygen species to destroy tumor cell. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of such nanoparticle drones to enhance image-guided radiotherapy.
Methods: A colloid of nanoparticle drones (nanodrones) was developed with ultrasmall Gadolinium nanoparticles incorporated in a mixture of natural polymers (chitosan and Alginic acid sodium salt from brown algae) and loaded with the therapeutic payload antiCD40. A second formulation was developed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Pancreatic cancer (KPC) cells (1.5x10^5 cells/mL) were used to generate subcutaneous tumors in C57BL6 mice (8– 10 weeks old). The nanodrone colloid was administered during image-guided radiotherapy with the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) with one radiotherapy fraction treatment of 5 Gy to monitor movement of the nanoparticle drones through the tumors with MRI/CT imaging and assess therapeutic outcome. Results where compared to appropriate controls, including no treatment, radiotherapy alone, and no radiotherapy.
Results: Results showed that the nanoparticle drone distribution could be monitored over time by MRI or CT imaging in-vivo over 4-weeks as tumors responded to treatment. Results show the nanodrone colloid significantly slowed tumor growth and prolonged mice survival (p < 0.0001) over time.
Conclusion: The results highlight the potential of nanoparticle drones for enhancing image-guided radiotherapy. The potential to load different therapeutic payloads and provide image contrast highlight great potential for using such technology for combining image-guided radiotherapy with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Not Applicable / None Entered.
Not Applicable / None Entered.