PLGA-PEG for cancer diagnostics

PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of PEG-PLGA block copolymers. Recently these types of polymers have been applied to developing cancer diagnostic delivery systems by loading perfluorooctyl bromide (Ultrasound/MRI contrast agent).  Read more: Diou, O., E. Fattal, T. Payen, S. L. Bridal, J. Valette, and N. Tsapis. "Nanocapsules of perfluorooctyl bromide for theranostics: from formulation to in vivo targeting." In SPIE BiOS, pp. 895514-895514. International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2014. http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1852594

“Abstract: The need to detect cancer at its early stages, as well as, to deliver chemotherapy to targeted site motivates many researchers to build theranostic platforms which combine diagnostic and therapy. Among imaging modalities, ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are widely available, non invasive and complement each other. Both techniques often require the use of contrast agents. We have developed nanocapsules of perfluorooctyl bromide as dual contrast agent for both imaging modalities. The soft, amorphous polymer shell provides echogenicity, while the high-density perfluorinated liquid core allows detection by 19F MRI. We have used a shell of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) since this polymer is biodegradable, biocompatible and can be loaded with drugs. These capsules were shown to be efficient in vitro as contrast agents for both 19F MRI and ultrasonography. In addition, for in vivo applications a poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) coating promotes stability and prolonged circulation. Being stealth, nanocapsule can accumulate passively into implanted tumors by the EPR effect. We will present nanocapsule formulation and characterization, and will show promising in vivo results obtained for both ultrasonography and 19F MRI Topics: Cancer ; Coating ; Diagnostics ; Magnetic resonance imaging ; Polymers ; Ultrasonography”