Issue 10, 2020

Continuously manufactured single-core iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer theranostics as valuable contribution in translational research

Abstract

Micromixer technology was used to manufacture magnetic single core iron oxide nanoparticles that combine imaging as well as therapeutic functions. In a continuous, scalable and highly controllable manner, synthesis with biocompatible educts via an aqueous synthesis route was performed. Size control by varying relevant process parameters e.g. temperature was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy measurements of experimental series demonstrating the exceptional size control and homogeneity. Furthermore, analytical centrifugation evidenced the stably dispersed state of the single core nanoparticles in aqueous media. Size controlled production of single-core iron oxide nanoparticles was used to design optimized nanoparticles with a core diameter of about 30 nm, showing high signal amplitudes in Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) as a promising MPI tracer material. Moreover, therapeutic potential of these particles in magnetic fluid hyperthermia was evaluated and specific absorption rates (SAR values) up to 1 kW per g(Fe) were obtained, which exceed the comparable SAR value of Resovist® by more than a factor of three. Relaxometry measurements clearly confirmed the capacity of these single-core magnetic nanoparticles to generate significant T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast that potentially allows multimodal imaging for monitoring the particles in vivo in a theranostic application scenario. Finally, first cell viability and apoptosis tests on endothelial cells did not show any cytotoxicity certifying a good biocompatibility of the iron oxide nanoparticles. This microtechnological approach provides reproducible, scalable single core iron oxide nanoparticles as highly performing tracers for MPI diagnosis as well as efficient heat generators for hyperthermia therapy. These preliminary results contribute to translational research in image guided cancer therapy – a further step from basic research to future medicine.

Graphical abstract: Continuously manufactured single-core iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer theranostics as valuable contribution in translational research

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 5 2020
Accepted
09 8 2020
First published
17 8 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 4510-4521

Continuously manufactured single-core iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer theranostics as valuable contribution in translational research

R. Bleul, A. Baki, C. Freese, H. Paysen, O. Kosch and F. Wiekhorst, Nanoscale Adv., 2020, 2, 4510 DOI: 10.1039/D0NA00343C

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