PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of magnetic nanoparticles for brain cancer therapy

Have you ever pushed a magnet on one side of a table around using another magnet from beneath the table? If you have, it is unlikely you considered this as an option for treatment of brain cancer, however this is a technique which is being applied for crossing the notoriously difficult blood-brain-barrier. One of the insidious features of brain cancer is that the disease primarily occupies the ‘brain’ side of the blood-brain-barrier. Due to the limited uptake of medicines in the blood-stream into the brain, it is very difficult to administer therapeutics to brain cancer in patients. Recently, researchers at Iran University of Medical Sciences and University of Tehran (Iran) utilized PLGA (AP040) from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) to create nano-graphene-oxide loaded nanoparticles with magnetic functionality. By carefully controlling magnetic fields, they were able to improve the particle capacity to deliver medicine across the blood-brain-barrier. This research holds promise for improved therapy for glioblastoma and other brain-cancer forms. Read more: Shirvalilou, Sakine, Samideh Khoei, Sepideh Khoee, Nida Jamali Raoufi, Mohammad Reza Karimi, and Ali Shakeri-Zadeh. "Development of a magnetic nano-graphene oxide Carrier for improved glioma-targeted drug delivery and imaging: In vitro and in vivo evaluations." Chemico-Biological Interactions (2018). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009279718301601

“Abstract: To overcome the obstacles inflicted by the BBB in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) we investigated the use of Multifunctional nanoparticles that designed with a Nano-graphene oxide (NGO) sheet functionalized with magnetic poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and was used for glioma targeting delivery of radiosensitizing 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUdR). In vitro biocompatibility of nanocomposite has been studied by the MTT assay. In vivo efficacy of magnetic targeting on the amount and selectivity of magnetic nanoparticles accumulation in glioma-bearing rats under an external magnetic field (EMF) density of 0.5 T was easily monitored with MRI. IUdR-loaded magnetic NGO/PLGA with a diameter of 71.8 nm, a zeta potential of −33.07 ± 0.07 mV, and a drug loading content of 3.04 ± 0.46% presented superior superparamagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization (Ms) of 15.98 emu/g. Furthermore, Prussian blue staining showed effective magnetic targeting, leading to remarkably improved tumor inhibitory efficiency of IUdR. The tumor volume of rats after treatment with IUdR/NGO/SPION/PLGA + MF was decreased significantly compared to the rats treated with buffer saline, IUdR and SPION/IUdR/NGO/PLGA. Most importantly, our data demonstrate that IUdR/NGO/SPION/PLGA at the present magnetic field prolongs the median survival time of animals bearing gliomas (38 days, p < 0.01). Nanoparticles also had high thermal sensitivities under the alternating magnetic field. In conclusion, we developed magnetic IUdR/NGO/PLGA, which not only achieved to high accumulation at the targeted tumor site by magnetic targeting but also indicated significantly enhanced therapeutic efficiency and toxicity for glioma both in vitro and in vivo. This innovation increases the possibility of improving clinical efficiency of IUdR as a radiosensitizer, or lowering the total drug dose to decrease systemic toxicity. Graphical abstract: Schematic illustration of magnetic drug delivery, verified by staining and use as an MRI contrast agent with IUdR/GO/SPION/PLGA and MF. Highlights: IUdR-loaded magnetic NGO + MF indicated the strongest anticancer effects in rat gliomas. Magnetic NGO induces thermosensitising effects in alternative magnetic field. Magnetic NGO under external magnetic field could overcome the BBB. Magnetic NGO could enhance the MRI sensitivity. Magnetic NGO modified with PLGA showed sustained release of IUdR. Keywords: Superparamagnetic iron oxide Glioma Magnetic targeting 5-Iodo-2′-deoxyuridine Nano-graphene oxide”