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Bam R, Natarajan A, Tabesh F, Paulmurugan R, Dahl JJ. Synthesis and Evaluation of Clinically Translatable Targeted Microbubbles Using a Microfluidic Device for In Vivo Ultrasound Molecular Imaging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9048. [PMID: 37240396 PMCID: PMC10219500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The main aim of this study is to synthesize contrast microbubbles (MB) functionalized with engineered protein ligands using a microfluidic device to target breast cancer specific vascular B7-H3 receptor in vivo for diagnostic ultrasound imaging. We used a high-affinity affibody (ABY) selected against human/mouse B7-H3 receptor for engineering targeted MBs (TMBs). We introduced a C-terminal cysteine residue to this ABY ligand for facilitating site-specific conjugation to DSPE-PEG-2K-maleimide (M. Wt = 2.9416 kDa) phospholipid for MB formulation. We optimized the reaction conditions of bioconjugations and applied it for microfluidic based synthesis of TMBs using DSPE-PEG-ABY and DPPC liposomes (5:95 mole %). The binding affinity of TMBs to B7-H3 (MBB7-H3) was tested in vitro in MS1 endothelial cells expressing human B7-H3 (MS1B7-H3) by flow chamber assay, and by ex vivo in the mammary tumors of a transgenic mouse model (FVB/N-Tg (MMTV-PyMT)634Mul/J), expressing murine B7-H3 in the vascular endothelial cells by immunostaining analyses. We successfully optimized the conditions needed for generating TMBs using a microfluidic system. The synthesized MBs showed higher affinity to MS1 cells engineered to express higher level of hB7-H3, and in the endothelial cells of mouse tumor tissue upon injecting TMBs in a live animal. The average number (mean ± SD) of MBB7-H3 binding to MS1B7-H3 cells was estimated to be 354.4 ± 52.3 per field of view (FOV) compared to wild-type control cells (MS1WT; 36.2 ± 7.5/FOV). The non-targeted MBs did not show any selective binding affinity to both the cells (37.7 ± 7.8/FOV for MS1B7-H3 and 28.3 ± 6.7/FOV for MS1WT cells). The fluorescently labeled MBB7-H3 upon systemic injection in vivo co-localized to tumor vessels, expressing B7-H3 receptor, as validated by ex vivo immunofluorescence analyses. We have successfully synthesized a novel MBB7-H3 via microfluidic device, which allows us to produce on demand TMBs for clinical applications. This clinically translatable MBB7-H3 showed significant binding affinity to vascular endothelial cells expressing B7-H3 both in vitro and in vivo, which shows its potential for clinical translation as a molecular ultrasound contrast agent for human applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ramasamy Paulmurugan
- Canary Center for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Dahl
- Canary Center for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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2
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Characterization of spatially mapped volumetric molecular ultrasound signals for predicting response to anti-vascular therapy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1686. [PMID: 36717575 PMCID: PMC9886917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative three-dimensional molecular ultrasound is a promising technology for longitudinal imaging applications such as therapy monitoring; the risk profile is favorable compared to positron emission tomography and computed tomography. However, clinical translation of quantitative methods for this technology are limited in that they assume that tumor tissues are homogeneous, and often depend on contrast-destruction events that can produce unintended bioeffects. Here, we develop quantitative features (henceforth image features) that capture tumor spatial information, and that are extracted without contrast destruction. We compare these techniques with the contrast-destruction derived differential targeted enhancement parameter (dTE) in predicting response to therapy. We found thirty-three reproducible image features that predict response to antiangiogenic therapy, without the need for a contrast agent disruption pulse. Multiparametric analysis shows that several of these image features can differentiate treated versus control animals with comparable performance to post-destruction measurements, suggesting that these can potentially replace parameters such as the dTE. The highest performing pre-destruction image features showed strong linear correlations with conventional dTE parameters with less overall variance. Thus, our study suggests that image features obtained during the wash in of the molecular agent, pre-destruction, may replace conventional post-destruction image features or the dTE parameter.
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3
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Myers JZ, Navarro-Becerra JA, Borden MA. Nanobubbles are Non-Echogenic for Fundamental-Mode Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:1106-1113. [PMID: 35476906 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbubbles (1-10 μm diameter) have been used as conventional ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) for applications in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Nanobubbles (<1 μm diameter) have recently been proposed as potential extravascular UCAs that can extravasate from the leaky vasculature of tumors or sites of inflammation. However, the echogenicity of nanobubbles for CEUS remains controversial owing to prior studies that have shown very low ultrasound backscatter. We hypothesize that microbubble contamination in nanobubble formulations may explain the discrepancy. To test our hypothesis, we examined the size distributions of lipid-coated nanobubble and microbubble suspensions using multiple sizing techniques, examined their echogenicity in an agar phantom with fundamental-mode CEUS at 7 MHz and 330 kPa peak negative pressure, and interpreted our results with simulations of the modified Rayleigh-Plesset model. We found that nanobubble formulations contained a small contamination of microbubbles. Once the contribution from these microbubbles is removed from the acoustic backscatter, the acoustic contrast of the nanobubbles was shown to be near noise levels. This result indicates that nanobubbles have limited utility as UCAs for CEUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Z Myers
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - J Angel Navarro-Becerra
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Mark A Borden
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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4
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Goncin U, Bernhard W, Curiel L, Geyer CR, Machtaler S. Rapid Copper-free Click Conjugation to Lipid-Shelled Microbubbles for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of Murine Bowel Inflammation. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:848-857. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Una Goncin
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Wendy Bernhard
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Laura Curiel
- Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - C. Ronald Geyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Steven Machtaler
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
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5
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Endo-Takahashi Y, Negishi Y. Gene and oligonucleotide delivery via micro- and nanobubbles by ultrasound exposure. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2022; 44:100445. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2022.100445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Microbubbles and Nanobubbles with Ultrasound for Systemic Gene Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12100964. [PMID: 33066531 PMCID: PMC7602142 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression is a promising therapeutic approach for many intractable diseases. However, its use in clinical applications requires the efficient delivery of nucleic acids to target tissues, which is a major challenge. Recently, various delivery systems employing physical energy, such as ultrasound, magnetic force, electric force, and light, have been developed. Ultrasound-mediated delivery has particularly attracted interest due to its safety and low costs. Its delivery effects are also enhanced when combined with microbubbles or nanobubbles that entrap an ultrasound contrast gas. Furthermore, ultrasound-mediated nucleic acid delivery could be performed only in ultrasound exposed areas. In this review, we summarize the ultrasound-mediated nucleic acid systemic delivery system, using microbubbles or nanobubbles, and discuss its possibilities as a therapeutic tool.
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Wang J, Jiao Y, Shao Y. Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Dual-Mode Chemo-Sonodynamic Therapy by Low-Energy Ultrasound. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 11:E2041. [PMID: 30347751 PMCID: PMC6212853 DOI: 10.3390/ma11102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Low-energy ultrasound (LEUS), exhibiting obvious advantages as a safe therapeutic strategy, would be promising for cancer therapy. We had synthesized a LEUS-responsive targeted drug delivery system based on functional mesoporous silica nanoparticle for cancer therapy. Paclitaxel (PTX) was loaded in mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a hydrophobic internal channel, and folic acid (FA) functionalized β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) was capped on the surface of the nanoparticles (DESN), which acted as a cancer-targeting moiety and solubilizer. The existence of a hydrophobic internal channel in the DESN was beneficial to the storage of hydrophobic PTX, along with the enhancement of the cavitation effect produced by mild low-energy ultrasound (LEUS, ≤1.0 W/cm², 1 MHz). The DESN showed significantly enhanced cavitation effect, selective targeting, and achieved a rapid drug release under mild LEUS. To investigate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of the DESN upon LEUS irradiation, we established a 4T1 mammary tumor model. The DESN were confirmed to be of great biodegradability/biocompatibility. The tumor growth was significantly inhibited when the mice were treated with DESN (10 mg/kg) + LEUS with the relative tumor volume reduced to 4.72 ± 0.70 compared with the control group (V/V₀ = 17.12 ± 2.75). The DESN with LEUS represented excellent inhibiting effect on tumor cell in vivo. This work demonstrated that DESN mediating dual mode chemo-sonodynamic therapy could be triggered by extracorporeal remote control, may suggest a promising clinical application in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic Coating Materials CAS, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Yajing Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic Coating Materials CAS, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China.
| | - Yiran Shao
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic Coating Materials CAS, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China.
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Moccetti F, Weinkauf CC, Davidson BP, Belcik JT, Marinelli ER, Unger E, Lindner JR. Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis Using Small-Peptide Targeting Ligands Against Endothelial Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1155-1163. [PMID: 29548756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate a panel of endothelium-targeted microbubble (MB) ultrasound contrast agents bearing small peptide ligands as a human-ready approach for molecular imaging of markers of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque. Small peptide ligands with established affinity for human P-selectin, VCAM-1, LOX-1 and von Willebrand factor (VWF) were conjugated to the surface of lipid-stabilized MBs. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) molecular imaging of the thoracic aorta was performed in wild-type and gene-targeted mice with advanced atherosclerosis (DKO). Histology was performed on carotid endarterectomy samples from patients undergoing surgery for unstable atherosclerosis to assess target expression in humans. In DKO mice, CEUS signal for all four targeted MBs was significantly higher than that for control MBs, and was three to sevenfold higher than in wild-type mice, with the highest signal achieved for VCAM-1 and VWF. All molecular targets were present on the patient plaque surface but expression was greatest for VCAM-1 and VWF. We conclude that ultrasound contrast agents bearing small peptide ligands feasible for human use can be targeted against endothelial cell adhesion molecules for inflammatory cells and platelets for imaging advanced atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Moccetti
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Craig C Weinkauf
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Brian P Davidson
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - J Todd Belcik
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | | | - Jonathan R Lindner
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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Wang J, Qin B, Chen X, Wagner WR, Villanueva FS. Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of Angiogenesis Using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Conjugated Microbubbles. Mol Pharm 2017; 14:781-790. [PMID: 28165246 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b01033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Imaging of angiogenesis receptors could provide a sensitive and clinically useful method for detecting neovascularization such as occurs in malignant tumors, and responses to antiangiogenic therapies for such tumors. We tested the hypothesis that microbubbles (MB) tagged with human VEGF121 (MBVEGF) bind to the kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) in vitro and angiogenic endothelium in vivo, and that this specific binding can be imaged on a clinical ultrasound system. In this work, targeted adhesion of MBVEGF was evaluated in vitro using a parallel plate flow system containing adsorbed recombinant human KDR. There was more adhesion of MBVEGF to KDR-coated plates when the amount of VEGF121 on each MB or KDR density on the plate was increased. MBVEGF adhesion to KDR-coated plates decreased with increasing wall shear rate. On intravital microscopic imaging of bFGF-stimulated rat cremaster muscle, there was greater microvascular adhesion of MBVEGF compared to that of isotype IgG-conjugated control MB (MBCTL). To determine if MBVEGF could be used to ultrasonically image angiogenesis, ultrasound imaging was performed in mice bearing squamous cell carcinoma after intravenous injection of MBVEGF. Ultrasound videointensity enhancement in tumor was significantly higher for MBVEGF (17.3 ± 9.7 dB) compared to MBCTL (3.8 ± 4.4 dB, n = 6, p < 0.05). This work demonstrates the feasibility of targeted ultrasound imaging of an angiogenic marker using MBVEGF. This approach offers a noninvasive bedside method for detecting tumor angiogenesis and could be extended to other applications such as molecular monitoring of therapeutic angiogenesis or antiangiogenic therapies in cardiovascular disease or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Wang
- Center of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Bin Qin
- Center of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Xucai Chen
- Center of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - William R Wagner
- McGowan Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Flordeliza S Villanueva
- Center of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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10
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Eschbach RS, Clevert DA, Hirner-Eppeneder H, Ingrisch M, Moser M, Schuster J, Tadros D, Schneider M, Kazmierczak PM, Reiser M, Cyran CC. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound with VEGFR2-Targeted Microbubbles for Monitoring Regorafenib Therapy Effects in Experimental Colorectal Adenocarcinomas in Rats with DCE-MRI and Immunohistochemical Validation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169323. [PMID: 28060884 PMCID: PMC5217974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles for monitoring therapy effects of regorafenib on experimental colon carcinomas in rats with correlation to dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and immunohistochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human colorectal adenocarcinoma xenografts (HT-29) were implanted subcutaneously in n = 21 (n = 11 therapy group; n = 10 control group) female athymic nude rats (Hsd: RH-Foxn1rnu). Animals were imaged at baseline and after a one-week daily treatment with regorafenib or a placebo (10 mg/kg bodyweight), using CEUS with VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles and DCE-MRI. In CEUS tumor perfusion was assessed during an early vascular phase (wash-in area under the curve = WiAUC) and VEGFR2-specific binding during a late molecular phase (signal intensity after 8 (SI8min) and 10 minutes (SI10min)), using a conventional 15L8 linear transducer (transmit frequency 7 MHz, dynamic range 80 dB, depth 25 mm). In DCE-MRI functional parameters plasma flow (PF) and plasma volume (PV) were quantified. For validation purposes, CEUS parameters were correlated with DCE-MRI parameters and immunohistochemical VEGFR2, CD31, Ki-67 and TUNEL stainings. RESULTS CEUS perfusion parameter WiAUC decreased significantly (116,989 ± 77,048 a.u. to 30,076 ± 27,095a.u.; p = 0.005) under therapy with no significant changes (133,932 ± 65,960 a.u. to 84,316 ± 74,144 a.u.; p = 0.093) in the control group. In the therapy group, the amount of bound microbubbles in the late phase was significantly lower in the therapy than in the control group on day 7 (SI8min: 283 ± 191 vs. 802 ± 460 a.u.; p = 0.006); SI10min: 226 ± 149 vs. 645 ± 461 a.u.; p = 0.009). PF and PV decreased significantly (PF: 147 ± 58 mL/100 mL/min to 71 ± 15 mL/100 mL/min; p = 0.003; PV: 13 ± 3% to 9 ± 4%; p = 0.040) in the therapy group. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly fewer VEGFR2 (7.2 ± 1.8 vs. 17.8 ± 4.6; p < 0.001), CD31 (8.1 ± 3.0 vs. 20.8 ± 5.7; p < 0.001) and Ki-67 (318.7 ± 94.0 vs. 468.0 ± 133.8; p = 0.004) and significantly more TUNEL (672.7 ± 194.0 vs. 357.6 ± 192.0; p = 0.003) positive cells in the therapy group. CEUS parameters showed significant (p < 0.05) correlations to DCE-MRI parameters and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS CEUS with VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles allowed for monitoring regorafenib functional and molecular therapy effects on experimental colorectal adenocarcinomas with a significant decline of CEUS and DCE-MRI perfusion parameters as well as a significant reduction of specifically bound microbubbles under therapy, consistent with a reduced expression of VEGFR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Stefan Eschbach
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Dirk-Andre Clevert
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Heidrun Hirner-Eppeneder
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Ingrisch
- Josef Lissner Laboratory for Biomedical Imaging, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Moser
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Jessica Schuster
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Dina Tadros
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Schneider
- Josef Lissner Laboratory for Biomedical Imaging, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Maximilian Kazmierczak
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reiser
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens C. Cyran
- Laboratory for Experimental Radiology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
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Pagoto A, Stefania R, Garello F, Arena F, Digilio G, Aime S, Terreno E. Paramagnetic Phospholipid-Based Micelles Targeting VCAM-1 Receptors for MRI Visualization of Inflammation. Bioconjug Chem 2016; 27:1921-30. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amerigo Pagoto
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126-Torino, Italy
| | - Rachele Stefania
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126-Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Garello
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126-Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Arena
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126-Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Digilio
- DISIT,
Università
del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Via T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126-Torino, Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126-Torino, Italy
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Zhou J, Wang H, Zhang H, Lutz AM, Tian L, Hristov D, Willmann JK. VEGFR2-Targeted Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging Can Predict Responses to Antiangiogenic Therapy in Preclinical Models of Colon Cancer. Cancer Res 2016; 76:4081-9. [PMID: 27206846 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-3271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) imaging capabilities to assess responses to anticancer therapies are needed to minimize sampling errors common to two-dimensional approaches as a result of spatial heterogeneity in tumors. Recently, the feasibility and reproducibility of 3D ultrasound molecular imaging (3D USMI) using contrast agents, which target molecular markers, have greatly improved, due to the development of clinical 3D matrix array transducers. Here we report preclinical proof-of-concept studies showing that 3D USMI of VEGFR2/KDR expression accurately gauges longitudinal treatment responses to antiangiogenesis therapy in responding versus nonresponding mouse models of colon cancer. Tumors in these models exhibited differential patterns of VEGFR2-targeted 3D USMI signals during the course of antiangiogenic treatment with bevacizumab. In responding tumors, the VEGFR2 signal decreased as soon as 24 hours after therapy was started, whereas in nonresponding tumors there was no change in signal at any time point. The early decrease in VEGFR2 signal was highly predictive of treatment outcome at the end of therapy. Our results offer preclinical proof that 3D USMI can predict responses to antiangiogenic therapy, warranting further investigation of its clinical translatability to predicting treatment outcomes in patients. Cancer Res; 76(14); 4081-9. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California. Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaijun Wang
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Amelie M Lutz
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Health, Research & Policy, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Dimitre Hristov
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Jürgen K Willmann
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
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Payen T, Dizeux A, Baldini C, Le Guillou-Buffello D, Lamuraglia M, Comperat E, Lucidarme O, Bridal SL. VEGFR2-Targeted Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound to Distinguish between Two Anti-Angiogenic Treatments. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:2202-2211. [PMID: 25980323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of BR55, an ultrasound contrast agent specifically targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), to distinguish the specific anti-VEGFR2 therapy effect of sunitinib from other anti-angiogenic effects of a therapy (imatinib) that does not directly inhibit VEGFR2. Sunitinib, imatinib and placebo were administered daily for 11 d (264 h) to 45 BalbC mice bearing ectopic CT26 murine colorectal carcinomas. During the course of therapy, B-mode ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and VEGFR2-targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed to assess tumor morphology, vascularization and VEGFR2 expression, respectively. The angiogenic effects on these three aspects were characterized using tumor volume, contrast-enhanced area and differential targeted enhancement. Necrosis, microvasculature and expression of VEGFR2 were also determined by histology and immunostaining. B-Mode imaging revealed that tumor growth was significantly decreased in sunitinib-treated mice at day 11 (p < 0.05), whereas imatinib did not affect growth. Functional evaluation revealed that the contrast-enhanced area decreased significantly (p < 0.02) and by similar amounts under both anti-angiogenic treatments by day 8 (192 h): -23% for imatinib and -21% for sunitinib. No significant decrease was observed in the placebo group. Targeted contrast-enhanced imaging revealed lower differential targeted enhancement, that is, lower levels of VEGFR2 expression, in sunitinib-treated mice relative to placebo-treated mice from 24 h (p < 0.05) and relative to both placebo- and imatinib-treated mice from 48 h (p < 0.05). Histologic assessment of tumors after the final imaging indicated that necrotic area was significantly higher for the sunitinib group (21%) than for the placebo (8%, p < 0.001) and imatinib (11%, p < 0.05) groups. VEGFR2-targeted ultrasound was able to sensitively differentiate the anti-VEGFR2 effect from the reduced area of tumor with functional flow produced by both anti-angiogenic agents. BR55 molecular imaging was, thus, able both to detect early therapeutic response to sunitinib in CT26 tumors as soon as 24 h after the beginning of the treatment and to provide early discrimination (48 h) between tumor response during anti-angiogenic therapy targeting VEGFR2 expression and response during anti-angiogenic therapy not directly acting on this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Payen
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Dizeux
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Capucine Baldini
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Michele Lamuraglia
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France; Medical Oncology Department, Hopital Louis-Mourier, AP-HP, Colombes, France
| | - Eva Comperat
- Anatomic Pathology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Lucidarme
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - S Lori Bridal
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France.
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Yeh JSM, Sennoga CA, McConnell E, Eckersley R, Tang MX, Nourshargh S, Seddon JM, Haskard DO, Nihoyannopoulos P. A Targeting Microbubble for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129681. [PMID: 26161541 PMCID: PMC4498921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Microbubbles conjugated with targeting ligands are used as contrast agents for ultrasound molecular imaging. However, they often contain immunogenic (strept)avidin, which impedes application in humans. Although targeting bubbles not employing the biotin-(strept)avidin conjugation chemistry have been explored, only a few reached the stage of ultrasound imaging in vivo, none were reported/evaluated to show all three of the following properties desired for clinical applications: (i) low degree of non-specific bubble retention in more than one non-reticuloendothelial tissue; (ii) effective for real-time imaging; and (iii) effective for acoustic quantification of molecular targets to a high degree of quantification. Furthermore, disclosures of the compositions and methodologies enabling reproduction of the bubbles are often withheld. Objective To develop and evaluate a targeting microbubble based on maleimide-thiol conjugation chemistry for ultrasound molecular imaging. Methods and Results Microbubbles with a previously unreported generic (non-targeting components) composition were grafted with anti-E-selectin F(ab’)2 using maleimide-thiol conjugation, to produce E-selectin targeting microbubbles. The resulting targeting bubbles showed high specificity to E-selectin in vitro and in vivo. Non-specific bubble retention was minimal in at least three non-reticuloendothelial tissues with inflammation (mouse heart, kidneys, cremaster). The bubbles were effective for real-time ultrasound imaging of E-selectin expression in the inflamed mouse heart and kidneys, using a clinical ultrasound scanner. The acoustic signal intensity of the targeted bubbles retained in the heart correlated strongly with the level of E-selectin expression (|r|≥0.8), demonstrating a high degree of non-invasive molecular quantification. Conclusions Targeting microbubbles for ultrasound molecular imaging, based on maleimide-thiol conjugation chemistry and the generic composition described, may possess properties (i)–(iii) desired for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Shue-Min Yeh
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Imaging Sciences Department, Medical Research Council, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles A. Sennoga
- Imaging Sciences Department, Medical Research Council, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen McConnell
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Eckersley
- Imaging Sciences Department, Medical Research Council, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Meng-Xing Tang
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sussan Nourshargh
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Seddon
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dorian O. Haskard
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Petros Nihoyannopoulos
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Ultrasound molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis with a neuropilin-1-targeted microbubble. Biomaterials 2015; 56:104-13. [PMID: 25934284 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound molecular imaging has great potential to impact early disease diagnosis, evaluation of disease progression and the development of target-specific therapy. In this paper, two neuropilin-1 (NRP) targeted peptides, CRPPR and ATWLPPR, were conjugated onto the surface of lipid microbubbles (MBs) to evaluate molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis in a breast cancer model. Development of a molecular imaging agent using CRPPR has particular importance due to the previously demonstrated internalizing capability of this and similar ligands. In vitro, CRPPR MBs bound to an NRP-expressing cell line 2.6 and 15.6 times more than ATWLPPR MBs and non-targeted (NT) MBs, respectively, and the binding was inhibited by pretreating the cells with an NRP antibody. In vivo, the backscattered intensity within the tumor, relative to nearby vasculature, increased over time during the ∼6 min circulation of the CRPPR-targeted contrast agents providing high contrast images of angiogenic tumors. Approximately 67% of the initial signal from CRPPR MBs remained bound after the majority of circulating MBs had cleared (8 min), 8 and 4.5 times greater than ATWLPPR and NT MBs, respectively. Finally, at 7-21 days after the first injection, we found that CRPPR MBs cleared faster from circulation and tumor accumulation was reduced likely due to a complement-mediated recognition of the targeted microbubble and a decrease in angiogenic vasculature, respectively. In summary, we find that CRPPR MBs specifically bind to NRP-expressing cells and provide an effective new agent for molecular imaging of angiogenesis.
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Masaka T, Li Y, Kawatobi S, Koide Y, Takami A, Yano K, Imai R, Yagi N, Suzuki H, Hikawa H, Tatsuno I, Terada K, Yokoyama Y. [Liposome modified with VIP-lipopeptide as a new drug delivery system]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2015; 134:987-95. [PMID: 25174370 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.14-00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have designed a novel lipid analog (lipopeptide) that mimics the structural features of modified phospholipids. This lipopeptide is easily synthesized using a peptide synthesizer and has been shown to be useful for the modification of liposomes, which are used as an active targeted drug delivery system (DDS). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has high homology with pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP). There are three major PACAP receptors: PAC1R, VPAC1R, and VPAC2R. PAC1R has affinity only for PACAP, whereas VPAC1R and VPAC2R have the same affinity for both VIP and PACAP. In the present study, we synthesized several lipopeptides conjugated with VIP through different linkers and found that liposomes modified with these lipopeptides (VIP-Lips) selectively recognized the PACAP/VIP receptors. The anti-cancer activity of these VIP-Lips was evaluated by encapsulation of an antitumor drug, doxorubicin (DOX), into the modified liposomes (VIP-Lips-DOX) against the human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos-2, which highly expresses the VIP receptor. cAMP production was then measured to determine how well the VIP-Lips were able to recognize VPAC2R. The results clearly indicate that the proposed lipopeptide methodology holds promise as a DDS for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Masaka
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University
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Angiogenic growth factors interactome and drug discovery: The contribution of surface plasmon resonance. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2014; 26:293-310. [PMID: 25465594 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is implicated in several pathological conditions, including cancer, and in regenerative processes, including the formation of collateral blood vessels after stroke. Physiological angiogenesis is the outcome of a fine balance between the action of angiogenic growth factors (AGFs) and anti-angiogenic molecules, while pathological angiogenesis occurs when this balance is pushed toward AGFs. AGFs interact with multiple endothelial cell (EC) surface receptors inducing cell proliferation, migration and proteases upregulation. On the contrary, free or extracellular matrix-associated molecules inhibit angiogenesis by sequestering AGFs (thus hampering EC stimulation) or by interacting with specific EC receptors inducing apoptosis or decreasing responsiveness to AGFs. Thus, angiogenesis results from an intricate network of interactions among pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules, EC receptors and various modulators. All these interactions represent targets for the development of pro- or anti-angiogenic therapies. These aims call for suitable technologies to study the countless interactions occurring during neovascularization. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a label-free optical technique to study biomolecular interactions in real time. It has become the golden standard technology for interaction analysis in biomedical research, including angiogenesis. From a survey of the literature it emerges that SPR has already contributed substantially to the better understanding of the neovascularization process, laying the basis for the decoding of the angiogenesis "interactome" and the identification of "hub molecules" that may represent preferential targets for an efficacious modulation of angiogenesis. Here, the still unexploited full potential of SPR is enlightened, pointing to improvements in its use for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of neovascularization and the identification of novel anti-angiogenic drugs.
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Poitevin M, Tranquart F, Cherkaoui S. Use of capillary electrophoresis as a versatile tool to measure interaction constants between a KDR-binding PEGylated lipopeptide and pegylated phospholipid micelles. Electrophoresis 2014; 36:326-34. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201400280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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19
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Pysz MA, Machtaler SB, Seeley ES, Lee JJ, Brentnall TA, Rosenberg J, Tranquart F, Willmann JK. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2-targeted contrast-enhanced US of pancreatic cancer neovasculature in a genetically engineered mouse model: potential for earlier detection. Radiology 2014; 274:790-9. [PMID: 25322341 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.14140568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To test ultrasonographic (US) imaging with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted microbubble contrast material for the detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experiments involving animals were approved by the Institutional Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care at Stanford University. Transgenic mice (n = 44; Pdx1-Cre, KRas(G12D), Ink4a(-/-)) that spontaneously develop PDAC starting at 4 weeks of age were imaged by using a dedicated small-animal US system after intravenous injection of 5 × 10(7) clinical-grade VEGFR2-targeted microbubble contrast material. The pancreata in wild-type (WT) mice (n = 64) were scanned as controls. Pancreatic tissue was analyzed ex vivo by means of histologic examination (with hematoxylin-eosin staining) and immunostaining of vascular endothelial cell marker CD31 and VEGFR2. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and linear mixed-effects model were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS VEGFR2-targeted US of PDAC showed significantly higher signal intensities (26.8-fold higher; mean intensity ± standard deviation, 6.7 linear arbitrary units [lau] ± 8.5; P < .001) in transgenic mice compared with normal, control pancreata of WT mice (mean intensity, 0.25 lau ± 0.25). The highest VEGFR2-targeted US signal intensities were observed in smaller tumors, less than 3 mm in diameter (30.8-fold higher than control tissue with mean intensity of 7.7 lau ± 9.3 [P < .001]; and 1.7-fold higher than lesions larger than 3 mm in diameter with mean intensity of 4.6 lau ± 5.8 [P < .024]). Ex vivo quantitative VEGFR2 immunofluorescence demonstrated that VEGFR2 expression was significantly higher in pancreatic tumors (P < .001; mean fluorescent intensity, 499.4 arbitrary units [au] ± 179.1) compared with normal pancreas (mean fluorescent intensity, 232.9 au ± 83.7). CONCLUSION US with clinical-grade VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles allows detection of small foci of PDAC in transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marybeth A Pysz
- From the Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr, Room H1307, Stanford, CA 94305 (M.A.P., S.B.M., J.R., J.K.W.); Department of Pathology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif (E.S.S.); Department of Developmental Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif (J.J.L.); Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (T.A.B.); and Bracco Suisse SA, Geneva, Switzerland (F.T.)
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Yang P, Li D, Jin S, Ding J, Guo J, Shi W, Wang C. Stimuli-responsive biodegradable poly(methacrylic acid) based nanocapsules for ultrasound traced and triggered drug delivery system. Biomaterials 2013; 35:2079-88. [PMID: 24331704 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) have been investigated for echogenic intravenous drug delivery system. Due to the traditional UCAs with overlarge size (micro-scale), their reluctant accumulation in target organs and the instability have presented severe obstacles to the accurate response to the ultrasound and severely limited their further clinical application. Furthermore, elimination of drug carriers from the biologic system after their carrying out the diagnostic or therapeutic functions is one important aspect to be considered. The drug carriers with large sizes, avoiding renal filtration, will lead to increasing toxicity. In this present paper, we design and develop a new type of triple-stimuli responsive (ultrasound/pH/GSH) biodegradable nanocapsules, in which fill up with perfluorohexane, and the DOX-loaded PMAA with disulfide crosslinking forms the wall. These soft nanocapsules with uniform size of 300 nm can easily enter the tumor tissues via EPR effects. The PMAA shell has high DOX-loading content (36 wt%) and great drug loading efficiency (93.5%), the PFH filled can effectively enhance US imaging signal through acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV), ensuring diagnostic and image-guided therapeutic applications. What is more, the disulfide-crosslinked PMAA shell is biodegradable and thus safe for normal organisms. These merits enabled us optimize the balance of diagnostic, therapeutic and biodegradable functionalities in a multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Dian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Sha Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 200092, China
| | - Jia Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weibin Shi
- Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 200092, China
| | - Changchun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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Fabiilli ML, Piert MR, Koeppe RA, Sherman PS, Quesada CA, Kripfgans OD. Assessment of the biodistribution of an [(18) F]FDG-loaded perfluorocarbon double emulsion using dynamic micro-PET in rats. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2013; 8:366-74. [PMID: 23613440 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorocarbon (PFC) double emulsions loaded with a water-soluble, therapeutic agent can be triggered by ultrasound in a process known as acoustic droplet vaporization. Elucidating the stability and biodistribution of these sonosensitive vehicles and encapsulated agents is critical in developing targeted drug delivery strategies using ultrasound. [(18) F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was encapsulated in a PFC double emulsion and the in vitro diffusion of FDG was assessed using a Franz diffusion cell. Using dynamic micro-positron emission tomography and direct tissue sampling, the biodistribution of FDG administered as a solution (i.e. non-emulsified) or as an emulsion was studied in Fisher 344 rats (n = 6) bearing subcutaneous 9L gliosarcoma. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) and area under the curve of the SUV (AUCSUV ) of FDG were calculated for various tissues. The FDG flux from the emulsion decreased by up to a factor of 6.9 compared with the FDG solution. FDG uptake, calculated from the AUCSUV , decreased by 36% and 44% for brain and tumor, respectively, when comparing FDG solution vs FDG emulsion (p < 0.01). Decreases in AUCSUV in highly metabolic tissues such as brain and tumor demonstrated retention of FDG within the double emulsion. No statistically significant differences in lung AUCSUV were observed, suggesting minimal accumulation of the emulsion in the pulmonary capillary bed. The liver AUCSUV increased by 356% for the FDG emulsion, thus indicating significant hepatic retention of the emulsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario L Fabiilli
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Narunsky L, Oren R, Bochner F, Neeman M. Imaging aspects of the tumor stroma with therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 141:192-208. [PMID: 24134903 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells rely on extensive support from the stroma in order to survive, proliferate and invade. The tumor stroma is thus an important potential target for anti-cancer therapy. Typical changes in the stroma include a shift from the quiescence promoting-antiangiogenic extracellular matrix to a provisional matrix that promotes invasion and angiogenesis. These changes in the extracellular matrix are induced by changes in the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and glucose amino glycans, extravasation of plasma proteins from hyperpermeable vessels and release of matrix modifying enzymes resulting in cleavage and cross-linking of matrix macromolecules. These in turn alter the rigidity of the matrix and the exposure and release of cytokines. Changes in matrix rigidity and vessel permeability affect drug delivery and mediate resistance to cytotoxic therapy. These stroma changes are brought about not only by the cancer cells, but also through the action of many cell types that are recruited by tumors including immune cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Within the tumor, these normal host cells are activated resulting in loss of inhibitory and induction of cancer promoting activities. Key to the development of stroma-targeted therapies, selective biomarkers were developed for specific imaging of key aspects of the tumor stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Narunsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Roni Oren
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Filip Bochner
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Fischer G, Schirrmacher R, Wängler B, Wängler C. Radiolabeled Heterobivalent Peptidic Ligands: an Approach with High Future Potential for in vivo Imaging and Therapy of Malignant Diseases. ChemMedChem 2013; 8:883-90. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201300081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Bachawal SV, Jensen KC, Lutz AM, Gambhir SS, Tranquart F, Tian L, Willmann JK. Earlier detection of breast cancer with ultrasound molecular imaging in a transgenic mouse model. Cancer Res 2013; 73:1689-98. [PMID: 23328585 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-3391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
While there is an increasing role of ultrasound for breast cancer screening in patients with dense breast, conventional anatomical ultrasound lacks sensitivity and specificity for early breast cancer detection. In this study, we assessed the potential of ultrasound molecular imaging using clinically translatable vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted microbubbles (MB(VEGFR2)) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in earlier detection of breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in a transgenic mouse model [FVB/N-Tg(MMTV-PyMT)634Mul]. In vivo binding specificity studies (n = 26 tumors) showed that ultrasound imaging signal was significantly higher (P < 0.001) using MB(VEGFR2) than nontargeted microbubbles and imaging signal significantly decreased (P < 0.001) by blocking antibodies. Ultrasound molecular imaging signal significantly increased (P < 0.001) when breast tissue (n = 315 glands) progressed from normal [1.65 ± 0.17 arbitrary units (a.u.)] to hyperplasia (4.21 ± 1.16), DCIS (15.95 ± 1.31), and invasive cancer (78.1 ± 6.31) and highly correlated with ex vivo VEGFR2 expression [R(2) = 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.91; P < 0.001]. At an imaging signal threshold of 4.6 a.u., ultrasound molecular imaging differentiated benign from malignant entities with a sensitivity of 84% (95% CI, 78-88) and specificity of 89% (95% CI, 81-94). In a prospective screening trail (n = 63 glands), diagnostic performance of detecting DCIS and breast cancer was assessed and two independent readers correctly diagnosed malignant disease in more than 95% of cases and highly agreed between each other [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.98; 95% CI, 97-99]. These results suggest that VEGFR2-targeted ultrasound molecular imaging allows highly accurate detection of DCIS and breast cancer in transgenic mice and may be a promising approach for early breast cancer detection in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunitha V Bachawal
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Yuan B, Rychak J. Tumor functional and molecular imaging utilizing ultrasound and ultrasound-mediated optical techniques. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 182:305-11. [PMID: 23219728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tumor functional and molecular imaging has significantly contributed to cancer preclinical research and clinical applications. Among typical imaging modalities, ultrasonic and optical techniques are two commonly used methods; both share several common features such as cost efficiency, absence of ionizing radiation, relatively inexpensive contrast agents, and comparable maximum-imaging depth. Ultrasonic and optical techniques are also complementary in imaging resolution, molecular sensitivity, and imaging space (vascular and extravascular). The marriage between ultrasonic and optical techniques takes advantages of both techniques. This review introduces tumor functional and molecular imaging using microbubble-based ultrasound and ultrasound-mediated optical imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohong Yuan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76010, USA.
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Microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents for molecular imaging: preparation and application. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012; 199:292-9. [PMID: 22826389 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.12.8826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review is to describe trends in microbubble application in molecular imaging. CONCLUSION Microbubbles are used for contrast ultrasound imaging as blood-pool agents in cardiology and radiology. Their promise as targeted agents for molecular imaging is now being recognized. Microbubbles can be functionalized with ligand molecules that bind to molecular markers of disease. Potential clinical applications of molecular imaging with microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents are in the monitoring of the biomarker status of vascular endothelium, visualizing tumor vasculature, and imaging inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury zones and thrombi.
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Bzyl J, Palmowski M, Rix A, Arns S, Hyvelin JM, Pochon S, Ehling J, Schrading S, Kiessling F, Lederle W. The high angiogenic activity in very early breast cancer enables reliable imaging with VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles (BR55). Eur Radiol 2012; 23:468-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-012-2594-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Revised: 06/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Moestue SA, Gribbestad IS, Hansen R. Intravascular targets for molecular contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:6679-6697. [PMID: 22837657 PMCID: PMC3397489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13066679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular targeting of contrast agents for ultrasound imaging is emerging as a new medical imaging modality. It combines advances in ultrasound technology with principles of molecular imaging, thereby allowing non-invasive assessment of biological processes in vivo. Preclinical studies have shown that microbubbles, which provide contrast during ultrasound imaging, can be targeted to specific molecular markers. These microbubbles accumulate in tissue with target (over) expression, thereby significantly increasing the ultrasound signal. This concept offers safe and low-cost imaging with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. It is therefore considered to have great potential in cancer imaging, and early-phase clinical trials are ongoing. In this review, we summarize the current literature on targets that have been successfully imaged in preclinical models using molecularly targeted ultrasound contrast agents. Based on preclinical experience, we discuss the potential clinical utility of targeted microbubbles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siver A. Moestue
- MI Lab, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim N-7006, Norway; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +47-911-111-74; Fax: +47-735-513-50
| | - Ingrid S. Gribbestad
- MI Lab, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim N-7006, Norway; E-Mail:
| | - Rune Hansen
- Department of Medical Technology, SINTEF Technology and Society, Trondheim N-7491, Norway; E-Mail:
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Development and validation of an intrinsic landmark-based gating protocol applicable for functional and molecular ultrasound imaging. Eur Radiol 2012; 22:1789-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-012-2429-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Sanna V, Pintus G, Bandiera P, Anedda R, Punzoni S, Sanna B, Migaleddu V, Uzzau S, Sechi M. Development of polymeric microbubbles targeted to prostate-specific membrane antigen as prototype of novel ultrasound contrast agents. Mol Pharm 2011; 8:748-57. [PMID: 21545176 DOI: 10.1021/mp100360g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound-targeted microbubbles (MBs) offer new opportunities to enhance the capabilities of diagnostic ultrasound (US) imaging to specific pathological tissue. Herein, we report on the design and development of a novel prototype of US contrast agent based on polymeric MBs targeted to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for use in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). First, a set of air-filled MBs by a variety of biocompatible polymers were prepared and characterized in terms of morphology and echogenic properties after exposure to US. MBs derived from poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymer resulted as the most effective in terms of reflectivity. Such polymer was therefore preconjugated with a urea-based PSMA inhibitor molecular probe (DCL), and the obtained MBs were investigated in vitro for their targeting efficacy toward PSMA positive PCa (LNCaP) cells. Fluorescence microscopy proved a specific and efficient adhesion of targeted MBs to LNCaP cells. To our knowledge, this work reports the first model of polymeric MBs appropriately engineered to target PSMA, which might be further optimized and used for PCa diagnosis and potential carriers for selective drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanna Sanna
- Porto Conte Ricerche, Località Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Sassari, Italy.
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Molecular and functional ultrasound imaging in differently aggressive breast cancer xenografts using two novel ultrasound contrast agents (BR55 and BR38). Eur Radiol 2011; 21:1988-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-011-2138-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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PYSZ MARYBETHA, WILLMANN JÜRGENK. Targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound: an emerging technology in abdominal and pelvic imaging. Gastroenterology 2011; 140:785-90. [PMID: 21255573 PMCID: PMC4162392 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2011.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Hu H, Zhou H, Du J, Wang Z, An L, Yang H, Li F, Wu H, Yang S. Biocompatiable hollow silica microspheres as novel ultrasound contrast agents for in vivo imaging. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1039/c0jm03915b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Deelman LE, Declèves AE, Rychak JJ, Sharma K. Targeted renal therapies through microbubbles and ultrasound. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2010; 62:1369-77. [PMID: 20946925 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2010.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Revised: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Microbubbles and ultrasound enhance the cellular uptake of drugs (including gene constructs) into the kidney. Microbubble induced modifications to the size selectivity of the filtration capacity of the kidney may enable drugs to enter previously inaccessible compartments of the kidney. So far, negative renal side-effects such as capillary bleeding have been reported only in rats, with no apparent damage in larger models such as pigs and rabbits. Although local delivery is accomplished by applying ultrasound only to the target area, efficient delivery using conventional microbubbles has depended on the combined injection of both drugs and microbubbles directly into the renal artery. Conjugation of antibodies to the shell of microbubbles allows for the specific accumulation of microbubbles in the target tissue after intravenous injection. This exciting approach opens new possibilities for both drug delivery and diagnostic ultrasound imaging in the kidney.
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Deshpande N, Pysz MA, Willmann JK. Molecular ultrasound assessment of tumor angiogenesis. Angiogenesis 2010; 13:175-88. [PMID: 20549555 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-010-9175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, plays a critical role in progression of tumor growth and metastasis, making it an attractive target for both cancer imaging and therapy. Several molecular markers, including those that are involved in the angiogenesis signaling pathway and those unique to tumor angiogenic vessels, have been identified and can be used as targets for molecular imaging of cancer. With the introduction of ultrasound contrast agents that can be targeted to those molecular markers, targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (molecular ultrasound) imaging has become an attractive imaging modality to non-invasively assess tumor angiogenesis at the molecular level. The advantages of molecular ultrasound imaging such as high temporal and spatial resolution, non-invasiveness, real-time imaging, relatively low cost, lack of ionizing irradiation and wide availability among the imaging community will further expand its roles in cancer imaging and drug development both in preclinical research and future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirupama Deshpande
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room H1307, Stanford, CA, USA
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