Gold nanoparticle-induced sonosensitization enhances the antitumor activity of ultrasound in colon tumor-bearing mice

PURPOSE

As a noninvasive and nonionizing radiation, ultrasound can be focused remotely, transferring acoustic energy deep in the body, thereby addressing the penetration depth barrier of the light-based therapies. In cancer therapy, the effectiveness of ultrasound can be enhanced by utilizing nanomaterials that exhibit sonosensitizing properties called as nanosonosensitizers. The gold nanoparticle (AuNP) has been recently presented as a potent nanosonosensitizer with the potential to simultaneously enhance both the thermal and mechanical interactions of ultrasound with the tissue of the human body. Accordingly, this paper attempts to evaluate the in vivo antitumor efficiency of ultrasound in combination with AuNP.

METHODS

BALB/c mice-bearing CT26 colorectal tumor model was intraperitoneally injected with AuNPs and then subjected to ultrasound irradiation (1 MHz; 2 W/cm2 ; 10 min) for three sessions. Furthermore, [18 F]FDG (2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoro-d-glucose) positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging was performed and the radiomic features from different feature categorizes were extracted to quantify the tumors' phenotype.

RESULTS

The tumors were dramatically shrunk and the mice appeared healthy over 21 days of study span without the evidence of relapse. The animals treated with AuNP + ultrasound exhibited an obvious decline in tumor metabolic parameters such as standard uptake value (SUV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) compared to other treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the use of AuNP as a potent sonosensitizing agent with the potential to use the thermal and mechanical effects of ultrasound so as to cause damage to the focused tumor site, resulting in an improved antitumor efficacy.

Enhancement of Toxic Substances Clearance from Blood Equvalent Solution and Human Whole Blood through High Flux Dialyzer by 1 MHz Ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis is a process of removing waste and excess fluid from blood when kidneys cannot function efficiently. It often involves diverting blood to the filter of the dialysis machin to be cleared of toxic substances. Fouling of pores in dialysis membrane caused by adhesion of plasma protein and other toxins will reduce the efficacy of the filtre.

OBJECTIVE

In This study, the influence of pulsed ultrasound waves on diffusion and the prevention of fouling in the filter membrane were investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Pulsed ultrasound waves with frequency of 1 MHz at an intensity of 1 W/cm2 was applied to the high flux (PES 130) filter. Blood and blood equivalent solutions were passed through the filter in separate experimental setups. The amount of Creatinine, Urea and Inulin cleared from both blood equvalent solution and human whole blood passed through High Flux (PES 130) filter were measured in the presence and absence of ultrasound irradiation. Samples were taken from the outlet of the dialyzer every five minutes and the clearance of each constituent was calculated.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis of the blood equvalent solution and whole blood indicated the clearance of Urea and Inulin in the presence of ultrasound increased (p<0.05), while no significant effects were observed for Creatinine.

CONCLUSION

It may be concluded that ultrasound, as a mechanical force, can increase the rate of clearance of some toxins (such as middle and large molecules) in the hemodialysis process.

Three different KRAS statuses in three synchronous colorectal cancers

Treatments with monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) have improved the prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Mutated KRAS status is predictive of resistance to anti-EGFR agents and allows the selection of KRAS wild-type patients who may benefit from these targeted therapies. We report an original case of metastatic CRC including three synchronous primary tumors with three different KRAS statuses. We discuss the possible therapeutic impact of this clinical case and the role of multiple samplings for KRAS status determination.