SPIONs and Cell Tracking with MRI
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As radiology evolves, medical imaging technology better supports finding and diagnosing diseases, overseeing diagnostic processes, and producing intricate images of internal systems via non-invasive means. Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) model how medical imaging technology is advancing to enhance medicine and patients' livelihoods. Dulińska-Litewka et al. (2019) investigates how SPIONs revolutionize healthcare by binding antitumour antibodies to track and kill harmful cells via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). They also help monitor endothelial inflammation, kill cancerous cells through magnetic hyperthermia, and aid drug delivery.
As nanoparticles, they have cores ranging between 5-15 nm in size and are composed of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), hematite (α-Fe2O3), and, most predominantly, magnetite (Fe3O4) (Dulińska-Litewka et al., 2019). The Fe2+ in this SPION is critical to forming the body's Fenton oxidation reaction, in which Fe2+ decomposes hydrogen peroxide to form hydroxyl free radicals that remove bodily waste. Since the release of this iron can harm healthy cells, a thick shell and water coat encompass the core, establishing the SPION size between 20-150 nm. Dulińska-Litewka et al. (2019) notes that this layer gives the SPION hydrophilic properties in the bloodstream, which prevents opsonization, eliminates problematic aggregation, and aids in effective binding to serum proteins when the zeta potential is more positive despite SPIONs being negatively charged.
Magnetite is predominantly ferrimagnetic and remains magnetized without an external magnetic B0 field; however, SPIONs with this iron oxide core are superparamagnetic and require external magnetic B0 fields to have aligned magnetic moments (Dulińska-Litewka et al., 2019). By releasing SPIONs targeting specific tissues or cells into the body, MRI machines can detect and visualize the disturbance via the variable magnetic B1 field.
By tracking cells for regenerative tissue growth, monitoring cancerous growth, and using SPIONs for drug delivery, their detection by MRI technology will help progress clinical techniques and therapies (Dulińska-Litewka et al., 2019).
Reproductive Medicine and Oncology
Within reproductive medicine and oncology, women face immense barriers to obtaining diagnostic care needed, preventing diseases and ailments, and acquiring treatment. Through modern strides, developing technology in nanomedicine shows promise for developing aid within women’s health. This article will explore three applications of SPIONs in literature regarding oncology and reproductive medicine.
Ovarian Cancer
As ovarian cancer comprises high mortality rates and devastating impacts on patients' quality of life, innovative biomedical technology must strive for earlier detection to prevent its negative progression. Shahbazi-Gahrouei and Abdolahi (2013) investigated the common ovarian membrane antigen MUC1 as a novel means of cancer detection to improve early diagnostic measures. They conjugated C595 monoclonal antibodies to SPIONs which then detected the ovarian tumour markers injected into two groups of five mice. MRI-T2 scans presented an extensive affinity of SPION-C595 to the cancerous cell lines and exhibited potential for prevalent use in humans. Although Shahbazi-Gahrouei and Abdolahi (2013) documented no limitations, further clinical trials and testing are required for a complete analysis. Overall, the positive SPION-C595 feedback indicates new emerging diagnostic technology that will save the lives of many future patients.
Breast Cancer
In a study by Tyagi et al. (2023), researchers set out to unite green chemistry with the field of nanomedicine. In particular, they coated SPIONs with tamoxifen-conjugated bovine serum albumin to form (BSA-SPIONs-TMX). This was done to aid in the prevention of aggregation of SPIONs so that they would be best effective for imaging and elimination of tumour cells. By initially conducting an acute toxicity study on rats, they confirmed that these BSA-SPIONs-TMX are safe for use in drug delivery systems. When applied to humans, through spectroscopy, magnetic measurement, differential scanning calorimetry, and x-ray diffraction, BSA-SPIONs-TMX showed success in range and entrapment efficiency. Further research is required to better understand applications of tumour removal.
Endometriosis
Approximately 176 million women worldwide suffer due to endometriosis– a condition that causes tissue that resembles the endometrium lining of the uterus to grow in the pelvic region and throughout the body. A study by Park et al. (2022) strives to show how hexagonal iron-oxide nanoparticles can be used for non-invasive endometriosis treatment via magnetic hyperthermia. When these particles are adapted to target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in mice, they destroy endometriosis lesions in one session. Human applications and further testing is required.
As medicine rapidly evolves, women’s health shows immense promise for better outcomes and success. By continuously funding and supporting research centres, these studies can continue to grow and thrive.
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