Three-Dimensional Augmented Reality Visualization Informs Locoregional Therapy in a Translational Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of visualizing preprocedural MR images in 3-dimensional (3D) space using augmented reality (AR) before transarterial embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a preclinical model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 rats with diethylnitrosamine-induced HCCs > 5 mm treated with embolization were included in a prospective study. In 12 rats, 3D AR visualization of preprocedural MR images was performed before embolization. Procedural metrics including catheterization time and radiation exposure were compared vs a prospective cohort of 16 rats in which embolization was performed without AR. An additional cohort of 15 retrospective cases was identified and combined with the prospective control cohort (n = 31) to improve statistical power. RESULTS: A 37% reduction in fluoroscopy time, from 11.7 min to 7.4 minutes, was observed with AR when compared prospectively, which did not reach statistical significance (P = .12); however, when compared with combined prospective and retrospective controls, the reduction in fluoroscopy time from 14.1 min to 7.4 minutes (48%) was significant (P = .01). A 27% reduction in total catheterization time, from 42.7 minutes to 31.0 minutes, was also observed with AR when compared prospectively, which did not reach statistical significance (P = .11). No significant differences were seen in dose-area product or air kerma prospectively. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional AR visualization of preprocedural imaging may aid in the reduction of procedural metrics in a preclinical model of transarterial embolization. These data support the need for further studies to evaluate the potential of AR in endovascular oncologic interventions.

Exploration of TiO2 nanoparticle mediated microdynamic therapy on cancer treatment.

Radical therapy takes advantage of the reactive oxygen species produced in greater quantities within tumor cells than in normal cells. Here, for the first time, we explore a TiO2 nanoparticle mediated microwave induced radical therapy (termed as Microdynamic Therapy) as a new cancer treatment method. The experiments in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles could significantly suppress the growth of osteosarcomas, even under low power (5 W) microwave (MW) irradiation for 5 min. The high photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles efficiently utilizes the microwave-induced plasmonic effect for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit a higher cytotoxicity on cancer cells (osteosarcoma UMR-106 cells) than on normal cells (mouse fibroblast L929 cells). The effectiveness of TiO2 nanoparticles for microwave induced radical therapy demonstrates that this is a new landmark approach to treating cancers.

CuS@PDA-FA nanocomposites: a dual stimuli-responsive DOX delivery vehicle with ultrahigh loading level for synergistic photothermal-chemotherapies on breast cancer.

In this study, CuS@PDA nanoparticles were synthesized and used to create a novel tumor-targeting nanocomposite platform composed of copper sulfide@polydopamine-folic acid/doxorubicin (CuS@PDA-FA/DOX) for performing both photothermal and chemotherapeutic cancer treatment. The nanocomposite platform has ultrahigh loading levels (4.2 ± 0.2 mg mg-1) and a greater photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 42.7%) than CuS/PDA alone. The uptake of CuS@PDA-FA/DOX nanocomposites is much higher in MCF-7 cells than in A549 cells because MCF-7 cells have much higher folic acid receptors than A549. Under near infrared (NIR) irradiation, the CuS@PDA-FA/DOX system using a synergistic combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy yields a better therapeutic effect than either photothermal therapy or chemotherapy alone. The treatment is very effective with the cell viability is only 5.6 ± 1.4%.

Investigation of PPIX-Lipo-MnO2 to enhance photodynamic therapy by improving tumor hypoxia.

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is reduced in the context of hypoxic environments. This is problematic, considering that hypoxia is exhibited in the vast majority of malignant tumors. Thus, increasing the concentration of oxygen in malignant tumors improves PDT treatment outcomes. Studies show that MnO2 nanoparticles can produce oxygen when it reacts with endogenous H2O2. Herein, we encapsulated Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in the liposome bilayer (PPIX-Lipo), which was then coated with MnO2 nanoparticles to construct PPIX-Lipo-MnO2 (PPIX-Lipo-M) in order to enhance PDT efficacy under tumor hypoxia. The PDT results show that PPIX-Lipo-M was more cytotoxic to breast cancer cells than PPIX-Lipo while under hypoxic conditions, indicating that the production of oxygen gas in hypoxic conditions improved treatment outcomes. Upon encapsulating PPIX into the liposome, the aqueous solubility of PPIX significantly improved. Consequently, the cellular uptake of both PPIX-Lipo and PPIX-Lipo-M also increased significantly compared to that of bare PPIX. Overall, PPIX-Lipo-M has the capacity to act as a therapeutic agent that relieves hypoxia and hence improve PDT efficacy.

Glutathione triggered degradation of polydopamine to facilitate controlled drug release for synergic combinational cancer treatment.

Here we report a novel mechanism for triggering drug release in the polydopamine (PDA)-coated magnetic CuCo2S4 core-shell nanostructure by glutathione (GSH) triggered degradation of PDA for release. In the design, we used PDA coated CuCo2S4 as the nanocarrier with polyethylene glycol and folic acid targeting molecules to ensure the safe delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to cancer cells. In addition, the controlled release could be enforced by taking advantage of the pH sensitivity of PDA to tumor acidic environments. The targeting and treatment of HeLa cancer cells were very effective and the killing was more efficient at higher levels of GSH. Furthermore, the designed system not only could be used for drug delivery but also could combine photothermal therapy with chemotherapy in a synergetic way. Plus, the system could be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is beneficial for imaging-guided treatment.