Theranostic medicine is based on the concept of delivering both
therapeutic and imaging agents to the same targeted location in the
body, using a single delivery platform enabled by nanotechnology. These
nanosystems can improve drug delivery and diagnosis, and also monitor
therapeutic responses to medication. These capabilities will play an
important role in the progress of personalized medicine.
As part of a partnership with the National Cancer Institute's Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer,
researchers at Emory University are attempting to develop a
multifunctional theranostic nanoparticle platform that combines the
receptor specificity and imaging capability of the nanoparticles with
innovative drug delivery systems targeted at specific tumors.
This drug delivery platform leverages the unique pharmokinetic
properties and surface functions of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles,
and offers a solution for overcoming intrinsic and physical barriers
that cause drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.
Doctors Mao and Yang led the research team, which aims to develop the
magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) based nanoconstructs targeted to
cellular receptors, such as the urokinase plasminogen activator
receptor (uPAR). These nanoconstructs enable penetration of
drug-carrying nanoparticles into the endothelial cell layer of the
tumor, destruction of tumor stromal fibroblasts, and also enhance
intracellular drug delivery by receptor-mediated endocytosis.
The research team are also working on methods and strategies for
controlled release and loading of multiple or single therapeutic agents
such as small molecules, chemotherapy drugs and siRNA-expressing DNA
cassettes, into the pancreatic cancer cells.
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