title: Endoscopic ultrasound guided injection of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles for liver and pancreas: a feasibility study in pigs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma are two of the most aggressive types of cancer with limited therapeutic options in stages of advanced disease. Our objective is to assess the safety and feasibility of injecting iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) via endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guidance, both systemically and locally in the liver and pancreas in order to study new potential therapies for liver and pancreatic tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six domestic pigs were used for our study design, and divided into three groups: two were injected in the portal vein, and other four were subjected to local exposure of IONs in the liver and pancreas, two each. The pigs were on a 7 days follow-up and necropsy was performed with their organs harvested. A 3T MRI scan was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All animals underwent an endoscopic ultrasound fine needle injection (EUS-FNI) procedure without any complications. EUS-FNI procedure had an average time of 5 minutes and 21 seconds and consisted of 2 ml of ION injection. No perforations and no risk of potential bleeding were recorded. Macroscopic changes were observed only after pancreatic EUS-FNI. A significant amount of IONs was observed in the liver after local injection and after vascular EUS-FNI. The imaging results were confirmed by pathological examination with most of the IONs accumulated in Ito-like cells, Kupfer cells, and sinusoids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IONs have been widely studied for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Their injection through EUS-guidance may develop new diagnosis strategies as well as curative or palliative therapies in pancreatic and liver tumors.
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania. boboungureanu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bogdan Silviu
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ungureanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Research Methodology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pirici
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Claudiu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Margaritescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Ioana Andreea
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Gheonea
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Florian Nicu
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Trincu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry "Petru Poni", Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fifere
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania ;Department of Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saftoiu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023421:Models, Animal; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013552:Swine; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide