Development of a mucin4-targeting SPIO contrast agent for effective detection of pancreatic tumor cells in vitro and in vivo

J Med Chem. 2013 Nov 27;56(22):9100-9. doi: 10.1021/jm401060z. Epub 2013 Nov 7.

Abstract

In search of a unique and reliable contrast agent targeting pancreatic adenocarcinoma, new multifunctional nanoparticles (MnMEIO-silane-NH2-(MUC4)-mPEG NPs) were successfully developed in this study. Mucin4-expression levels were determined through different imaging studies in a panel of pancreatic tumor cells (HPAC, BxPC-3, and Panc-1) both in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vitro T2-weighted MR imaging study in HPAC and Panc-1 tumor cells treated with NPs showed -89.1 ± 5.7% and -0.9 ± 0.2% contrast enhancement, whereas in in vivo study, it is found to be -81.5 ± 4.5% versus -19.6 ± 5.2% (24 h postinjection, 7.0 T), respectively. The T2-weighted MR and optical imaging studies revealed that the novel contrast agent can specifically and effectively target to mucin4-expressing tumors in nude mice. Hence, it is suggested that MnMEIO-silane-NH2-(MUC4)-mPEG NPs are able to provide an efficient and targeted delivery of MUC4 antibodies to mucin4-expressing pancreatic tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Contrast Media / chemistry
  • Contrast Media / metabolism
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Female
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / metabolism
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnets*
  • Mice
  • Mucin-4 / metabolism*
  • Nanoparticles
  • Optical Imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Silanes / chemistry

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Mucin-4
  • Silanes
  • ferric oxide
  • Polyethylene Glycols