Theranostics Flashcards
What are the potential benefits of using nanoparticles in theranostics?
- Can be combine, use both for imaging and treatment
- Image guided targeted treatment
- Non-invasive options for tumor ablation
- Real-time surgery
What is molecular imaging?
Representation, characterization and quantification of biological process in cells in intact living organisms
Describe nuclear imaging by PET
Imaging based on radioactive decay. Inject radionuclide in patient – check were it goes with scanner
(+) High sensitivity, quantiative
(-) Expensive, relatively low resolution, radiation
Describe magnetic resonance imaging
Bsed on magnetic spin. Put patient into magnet field – see how spin changes, get computed image
(+) No radiation, high resolution
(-) Slow, low sensitivity
Describe the fluorescence imaging technique. Give an example of its application in medicine
Fluorescence (Stokes shift) by labels.
(+) No radiation, high sensitivity
(-) Low resolution, absorbed by tissue (limited penetration depth)
Used in real-time image guided surgery
Mention 2 current challenges in cancer treatment and how nanotheranostics could contribute to solve such challenges.
Removal of cancer – distinguish healthy from sick with fluorescence in image guided real-time surgery
Image guided targeted treatment (radio or chemo)
Thermal ablation of tumor – NPs non-invasive, controlled drug release, image-guided
Mention barriers and strategies that can be used to prevent the elimination of nanoparticles from the blood circulation.
Immune system – PEGylation, surface charge (neutral in blood, zwitterion)
Certain size to not be removed (100 nm liver and spleen, 10 nm kidneys)
Certain size for EPR (30-100 nm)
Degradation of drug - encapsulation of drug
What is the rationale behind using gold nanorods for photothermal therapy?
More SPR intensity
Rods accumulate more (with EPR)
