title: Targeted gold nanoparticles enable molecular CT imaging of cancer: an in vivo study.
abstract: In recent years, advances in molecular biology and cancer research have led to the identification of sensitive and specific biomarkers that associate with various types of cancer. However, in vivo cancer detection methods with computed tomography, based on tracing and detection of these molecular cancer markers, are unavailable today. This paper demonstrates in vivo the feasibility of cancer diagnosis based on molecular markers rather than on anatomical structures, using clinical computed tomography. Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor conjugated gold nanoparticles (30 nm) were intravenously injected into nude mice implanted with human squamous cell carcinoma head and neck cancer. The results clearly demonstrate that a small tumor, which is currently undetectable through anatomical computed tomography, is enhanced and becomes clearly visible by the molecularly-targeted gold nanoparticles. It is further shown that active tumor targeting is more efficient and specific than passive targeting. This noninvasive and nonionizing molecular cancer imaging tool can facilitate early cancer detection and can provide researchers with a new technique to investigate in vivo the expression and activity of cancer-related biomarkers and molecular processes.
authors: Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors: Tobi
authors: T
authors: Reuveni
authors: Menachem
authors: M
authors: Motiei
authors: Zimam
authors: Z
authors: Romman
authors: Aron
authors: A
authors: Popovtzer
authors: Rachela
authors: R
authors: Popovtzer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D006046:Gold; D066246:ErbB Receptors