MR imaging techniques for nano-pathophysiology and theranostics.
The advent of nanoparticle DDSs (drug delivery systems, nano-DDSs) is opening new pathways to understanding physiology and pathophysiology at the nanometer scale. A nano-DDS can be used to deliver higher local concentrations of drugs to a target region and magnify therapeutic effects. However, interstitial cells or fibrosis in intractable tumors, as occurs in pancreatic or scirrhous stomach cancer, tend to impede nanoparticle delivery. Thus, it is critical to optimize the type and size of nanoparticles to reach the target. High-resolution 3D imaging provides a means of "seeing" the nanoparticle distribution and therapeutic effects. We introduce the concept of "nano-pathophysiological imaging" as a strategy for theranostics. The strategy consists of selecting an appropriate nano-DDS and rapidly evaluating drug effects in vivo to guide the next round of therapy. In this article we classify nano-DDSs by component carrier materials and present an overview of the significance of nano-pathophysiological MRI.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, 2540 Campus Rd., Honolulu, HI 96822 USA.
Kevin M
KM
Bennett
Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba City, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
Jun-ichiro
J
Jo
Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Horacio
H
Cabral
Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba City, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
Rumiana
R
Bakalova
Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba City, Chiba 263-8555, Japan. Electronic address: aoki@nirs.go.jp.
Ichio
I
Aoki
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036103:Nanotechnology
D003287:Contrast Media
Activatable; Cancer; DDS; In vivo imaging; MRI; Multimodal; Nanoparticles; Theranostics