Design of high-performance magnetic nanovectors for combined diagnostics and therapy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the major killers in British men today. There are approximately 30,000 new cases of prostate cancer per annum in the UK resulting in 10,000 reported deaths. The majority of these deaths however can be averted if prostate cancer is detected and treated early. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop safe and efficient methods for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate tumours for which existing detection and treatments have significant shortfalls. The combination of a diagnostic and therapeutic (termed theranostic) systems provides the potential to tailor the treatment for individual patients based on the initial test results.A promising approach for the development of cancer theranostics emerging from nanotechnology is to use tiny (5-10 nm) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which can act as molecular-sized probes that identify tumour cells by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and destroy tumour tissue by heat with mild radiowave irradiation applied from outside the body (hyperthermia). However, in spite of considerable research efforts, current MNPs systems are neither sensitive enough to detect tumours in the important early-stages nor are they effective enough to produce sufficient heat to eradicate tumours using safe levels of microwave activation. A new method of MNP preparation has been pioneered at Leicester that can produce composite nanoparticles composed of a highly magnetic FeCo core and a non-toxic Au shell. We have also demonstrated the functionalisation of these MNPs can produce stable suspensions ready for the attachment of targeting molecules specific to prostate cancer. The objective of this proposal is to develop the first MNP theranostic system for prostate cancer, which will combine ultra-sensitive MR imaging with efficient and selective hyperthermia treatment. This project outlines the programme of in vitro studies required to get the technique ready for human clinical trials. To achieve this, we will prepare the FeCo@Au core shell nanoparticles with controllable size and optimize the magnetic properties. We will then link these MNPs with molecules that will target specific proteins displayed on the surface of prostate cancer cells and subsequently evaluate their MRI and hyperthermia performance. Successful implementation of this technology would provide attendant welfare benefits for patients and significant cost benefits for the UK health-care system.
People |
ORCID iD |
Wu Su (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Ao L
(2014)
A folate-integrated magnetic polymer micelle for MRI and dual targeted drug delivery.
in Nanoscale
Su W
(2013)
Addressable and unidirectional energy transfer along a DNA three-way junction programmed by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides.
in Scientific reports
Krpetic Z
(2012)
Directed assembly of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles using pyrrole-imidazole polyamides.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Su W
(2011)
DNA-templated photonic arrays and assemblies: design principles and future opportunities.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Dondi R
(2012)
Highly size- and shape-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles via a templated Tollens reaction.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Su W
(2011)
Site-specific assembly of DNA-based photonic wires by using programmable polyamides.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Fang L
(2014)
Triphosgene-Mediated Couplings in the Solid Phase: Total Synthesis of Brachystemin A
in European Journal of Organic Chemistry
Description | We synthesized a serial of core-shell magnetic nanoparticles with Fe core and different shells, including Fe3O4, SiO2, Au, Cu, Ag. These group of magnetic nanoparticles possess high saturated magnetism (175 emu/g) and r2 relaxivity (494/mM.S). After surface modification, these magnetic nanoparticles can be stablized in physiological environment such as aqueous buffer and serum. Furthermore, a specific peptide targeted to Hepsin was conjugated with magnetic nanoparticle. This peptide would address the nanoparticle to prostate cancer cell surface. Currently the cell biological evaluations are under progress. |
Exploitation Route | collaborations with chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists: |
Sectors | Chemicals,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | A novel multifunctionalmagnetic nanomaterial was developed for MRI diagnosis and dual-targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. This nano-system provides a promising scheme for magnetically guided tumor targeting combined with MRI diagnosis and therapy (both chemotherapy and hyperthermia) |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Chemicals,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | Shenzhen Sciences & Technology Innovation grant |
Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | CXZZ20120831175831692 |
Organisation | Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | China |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | the "Hundred Talents Program" of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
Amount | £260,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Chinese Academy of Sciences |
Sector | Public |
Country | China |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2016 |
Title | multi-functional magnetic nanoparticles |
Description | We developed a novel strategy for in situ and controlled synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), and demonstrated their derivative permeable magnetic nanoreactors. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | the nanoreactors realize unique magnetic operability and zero remanence/coercivity, which greatly favors their recycling or targeting (enrichment) abilities guided by external magnetic fields, when employed as heterogeneous catalysts, or drug delivery vehicles. |
Description | DNA binding polyamide |
Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My research group developed a highly efficient method to prepare DNA specific binding pyrrole-imidazole polyamides. So we can provide these polyamides for the applications in biomedical and nanoelectronic areas. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Glenn Burley and Professor Duncan Graham at University of Strathclyde applied these polyamides in DNA nanophotonics, and DNA addressed gold nanoparticle assembly. |
Impact | 1. Su W., Bagshaw C., Burley G*. Addressable and unidirectional energy transfer along a DNA three-way junction programmed by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides. Scientific Reports, 3, 1883, 2013. 2. Krpetic Z, Singh I, Su W, Guerrini L, Faulds K, Burley GA*, Graham D*. Directed Assembly of DNA-Functaionlized Gold Nanoparticles Using Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamides. J Am Chem Soc, 134, 8356-8359,2012. 3. Dondi R., Su W., Griffith GA, Clark G, Burley, GA*. Highly size and shape-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles via a templated Tollens reaction. Small. 5, 770-776, 2012, 4. Su W., Schuster M., Bagshaw C., Rant U., Burley G*. Site-specific assembly of DNA-based photonic wire using programmable polyamides. Angew Chem int ed, 50, 2712-2715,2011. 5. Su W., Bonnard V. and Burley GA*. DNA-templated photonic arrays and assemblies: Design principles and future opportunities. Chem. Eur. J. 18, 7982-7991, 2011. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Title | NEW PROCESS AND NEW COMPOUNDS |
Description | There is provided a novel process for preparing polyamides (in particular cyclic and hairpin polyamides) comprising the step of coupling an amine with a Boc-protected amino acid monomer in the presence of diphosgene and/or triphosgene. Such a process may be performed on a solid or solution phase. |
IP Reference | WO2010125382 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2010 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | The strategy represented a significant step forward for the multiple, parallel synthesis of structurally diverse peptoids for biomedical studies and also for the large-scale production of this family of molecules for further exploration as therapeutic scaffolds. |