Quantum dots encapsulated in phospholipid micelles for imaging and quantification of tumors in the near-infrared region.
Near-infrared (NIR) whole-body imaging is a powerful noninvasive method for the visualization of complex biological phenomena such as tumor and tumor vasculature and for whole-body studies. In this study we introduced a new NIR contrast agent in poly(ethylene glycol)-phospholipid micelle-encapsulated quantum dots (QD-Ms). QD-Ms maximally accumulated in the tumor area within 1 hour as compared to 4 hours for the commercially available PEGylated quantum dots (QD-PEGs) and allowed for the visualization of both tumor and internal organs. QD-Ms showed a signal-to-noise ratio of 15 that allowed the quantification of the micelles' biodistribution using image analysis. The signal obtained with the QD-Ms was higher than with the commercial formulation at half the QD dose. Overall, the QD-Ms seem to be a powerful and rapidly acting nanosized imaging agent that allows for effective visualization of tumors using NIR imaging.
Papagiannaros
Aristarchos
A
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Levchenko
Tatyana
T
Hartner
William
W
Mongayt
Dmitry
D
Torchilin
Vladimir
V
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008823:Micelles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D045663:Quantum Dots; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D003287:Contrast Media; D008823:Micelles; D010743:Phospholipids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols