We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Gold Nanoshells Safely Deliver Toxic Chemotherapeutic Drugs

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Nov 2017
Print article
Image: Investigators loaded light-activated nanoshells (gold and light blue) with the anticancer drug lapatinib (yellow) by encasing the drug in an envelope of albumin (blue). Light from a near-infrared laser (center) was used to remotely trigger the release of the drug (right) after the nanoshells were taken up by cancer cells (Photo courtesy of A. Goodman, Rice University).
Image: Investigators loaded light-activated nanoshells (gold and light blue) with the anticancer drug lapatinib (yellow) by encasing the drug in an envelope of albumin (blue). Light from a near-infrared laser (center) was used to remotely trigger the release of the drug (right) after the nanoshells were taken up by cancer cells (Photo courtesy of A. Goodman, Rice University).
A novel method for delivering toxic drugs to tumor cells relies on the use of light-activated gold nanoparticles, which are triggered remotely by laser light to release the drugs inside the cancer cells.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems provide a highly promising approach for localized drug delivery and are an emerging field of interest in cancer treatment. In this regard, investigators at Rice University (Houston, TX, USA) and Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, USA) demonstrated the near-IR (infrared) light-triggered release of the chemotherapeutic drugs docetaxel - from a nanoshell-based DNA host complex - and lapatinib - from nanoshell-based DNA and human serum albumin host complexes.

The investigators reported in the November 6, 2017, online edition of the journal Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences that, depending upon the drug molecule, the type of host molecule, and the laser illumination method (continuous wave or pulsed laser), in vitro light-triggered release could be achieved with both types of nanoparticle-based complexes. Two breast cancer drugs, docetaxel and HER2-targeted lapatinib, were delivered to MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 (overexpressing HER2) breast cancer cells and compared with release in noncancerous RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Continuous wave laser-induced release of docetaxel from a nanoshell-based DNA host complex caused increased cell death, which also coincided with nonspecific cell death from photothermal heating. Using a femtosecond pulsed laser, lapatinib release from a nanoshell-based human serum albumin protein host complex resulted in increased cancerous cell death while noncancerous control cells were unaffected. Both methods represented localized drug-release strategies that could facilitate high local concentrations of chemotherapy drugs deliverable at a specific treatment site over a specific time window, with the potential for greatly minimized side effects.

"In future studies, we plan to use a Trojan-horse strategy to get the drug-laden nanoshells inside tumors," said senior author Dr. Naomi Halas, professor of biomedical engineering at Rice University. "Macrophages, a type of white blood cell that's been shown to penetrate tumors, will carry the drug-particle complexes into tumors, and once there we use a laser to release the drugs."

"Getting chemotherapeutic drugs to penetrate tumors is very challenging," said contributing author Dr. Susan Clare, research associate professor of surgery at Northwestern University. "Drugs tend to get pushed out of tumors rather than drawn in. To get an effective dose at the tumor, patients often have to take so much of the drug that nausea and other side effects become severe. Our hope is that the combination of macrophages and triggered drug-release will boost the effective dose of drugs within tumors so that patients can take less rather than more."

Related Links:
Rice University
Northwestern University

Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test
Unit-Dose Packaging solution
HLX
New
Automated Cell Counter
QuadCount
New
Progesterone Serum Assay
Progesterone ELISA Kit

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The FDA clearance for the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Mini test follows the recent approval of QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus (Photo courtesy of QIAGEN)

Respiratory Panel to Help Clinicians Make Precise Treatment Decisions in Outpatient Settings

Respiratory tract infections are the primary reason for visits to emergency departments and subsequent hospitalizations. In the U.S., it is estimated that there are up to 41 million cases of influenza... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: QScout CBC will give a complete blood count in 2 minutes from fingerstick or venous blood (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

Next Gen CBC and Sepsis Diagnostic System Targets Faster, Earlier, Easier Results

Every hour is critical in protecting patients from infections, yet there are currently limited tools to assist in early diagnosis before patients reach a hospital. The complete blood count (CBC) is a common... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The InfectoSynovia test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High-Accuracy Bedside Test to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Five Minutes

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a significant global issue that is worsening as the number of joint replacements increases due to aging populations. In the United States alone, the anticipated... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The new technique allows properties of cancer cells and their surrounding tissue to be analyzed in detail at single-cell level (Photo courtesy of Universität Helsinki/Karolina Punovuori)

New Imaging Method Opens Door to Precision Diagnostics for Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers, while considered rare, represent a significant portion of cancer cases and have seen a notable increase over the past 30 years. These cancers encompass various malignant tumors that... Read more