Delivery of therapeutic radioisotopes using nanoparticle platforms: potential benefit in systemic radiation therapy

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Longjiang Zhang, Emory University; Hongwei Chen, Emory University; Liya Wang, Emory University; Tian Liu, Emory University; Julie Yeh, Emory University; Guangming Lu, Nanjing University School of Medicine; Lily Yang, Emory University; Hui Mao, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2010-12
• Publisher: Dove Medical Press
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 Zhang et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://www.dovepress.com/delivery-of-therapeutic-radioisotopes-using-nanoparticle-platforms-pot-peer-reviewed-article-NSA
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Nanotechnology, Science and Applications
• ISSN: 1177-8903
• Volume: 2010
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 159-170
• Grant/Funding Information: Authors are grateful to Miss Tianning Fan for her assistance in illustrations and to the National Cancer Institute for their grant support of the Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE, U54 CA119338-01) and in vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Center (ICMIC, P50CA128301-01A10003).
• Keywords: cancer; nanoparticle; delivery; radiation therapy; radioisotope
• Research Categories: Engineering, Biomedical; Physics, Atomic; Health Sciences, Radiology; Health Sciences, Oncology; Physics, Elementary Particles and High Energy

Abstract

Radiation therapy is an effective cancer treatment option in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery. Emerging individualized internal and systemic radiation treatment promises significant improvement in efficacy and reduction of normal tissue damage; however, it requires cancer cell targeting platforms for efficient delivery of radiation sources. With recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology, there is great interest in developing nanomaterials as multifunctional carriers to deliver therapeutic radioisotopes for tumor targeted radiation therapy, to monitor their delivery and tumor response to the treatment. This paper provides an overview on developing nanoparticles for carrying and delivering therapeutic radioisotopes for systemic radiation treatment. Topics discussed in the review include: selecting nanoparticles and radiotherapy isotopes, strategies for targeting nanoparticles to cancers, together with challenges and potential solutions for the in vivo delivery of nanoparticles. Some examples of using nanoparticle platforms for the delivery of therapeutic radioisotopes in preclinical studies of cancer treatment are also presented.