Aptamer conjugated magnetic nanoparticles as nanosurgeons

Nanotechnology. 2010 Nov 12;21(45):455102. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/45/455102. Epub 2010 Oct 14.

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles have shown promise in the fields of targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cancer therapy. The ability of magnetic nanoparticles to undergo surface modification and the effect of external magnetic field in the dynamics of their movement make them an excellent nanoplatform for cancer destruction. Surgical removal of cancerous or unwanted cells selectively from the interior of an organ or tissue without any collateral damage is a serious problem due to the highly infiltrative nature of cancer. To address this problem in surgery, we have developed a nanosurgeon for the selective removal of target cells using aptamer conjugated magnetic nanoparticles controlled by an externally applied three-dimensional rotational magnetic field. With the help of the nanosurgeon, we were able to perform surgical actions on target cells in in vitro studies. LDH and intracellular calcium release assay confirmed the death of cancer cells due to the action of the nanosurgeon which in turn nullifies the possibility of proliferation by the removed cells. The nanosurgeon will be a useful tool in the medical field for selective surgery and cell manipulation studies. Additionally, this system could be upgraded for the selective removal of complex cancers from diverse tissues by incorporating various target specific ligands on magnetic nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / therapeutic use*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / radiation effects
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Magnetic Field Therapy / methods*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Rats
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Calcium