IN VIVO IMAGING AND THERAPY WITH MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLE CONJUGATES

摘要

A non-invasive in vivo technique is disclosed, useful for example in detecting cancers and micrometastases. The technique may be used to selectively deliver drugs to target cells such as tumors, metastases, micrometastases, and individual malignant cells. Ligands with specificity for a target cell receptor, and optionally drug molecules as well, are covalently bound to magnetic nanoparticles, either directly or through a spacer molecule. The ligand precludes the need for a separate coating layer. For example, human breast cancer cells express receptors both for luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/CG), and for luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH). These cells can be specifically targeted by iron oxide nanoparticles covalently linked to LH/CG or LHRH. The nanoparticles are incorporated into the cancer cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. The specific accumulation in targeted cancer cells enhances resolution for imaging, therapy, or both. The ligand may, for example, be a hormone, receptor, or antibody, or a fragment thereof.