One-Step Facile Synthesis of Highly Magnetic and Surface Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanorods for Biomarker-Targeted Applications.

We report a one-step method for facile and sustainable synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanorods (or IONRs) with mean lengths ranging from 25 to 50 nm and mean diameters ranging from 5 to 8 nm. The prepared IONRs are highly stable in aqueous media and can be surface functionalized for biomarker-targeted applications. This synthetic strategy involves the reaction of iron(III) acetylacetonate with polyethyleneimine in the presence of oleylamine and phenyl ether, followed by thermal decomposition.

Magnetic Nanoparticle Facilitated Drug Delivery for Cancer Therapy with Targeted and Image-Guided Approaches.

With rapid advances in nanomedicine, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as a promising theranostic tool in biomedical applications, including diagnostic imaging, drug delivery and novel therapeutics. Significant preclinical and clinical research has explored their functionalization, targeted delivery, controllable drug release and image-guided capabilities. To further develop MNPs for theranostic applications and clinical translation in the future, we attempt to provide an overview of the recent advances in the development and application of MNPs for drug delivery, specifically focusing on the topics concerning the importance of biomarker targeting for personalized therapy and the unique magnetic and contrast-enhancing properties of theranostic MNPs that enable image-guided delivery.

A nanocomposite of Au-AgI core/shell dimer as a dual-modality contrast agent for x-ray computed tomography and photoacoustic imaging.

Purpose: To develop a core/shell nanodimer of gold (core) and silver iodine (shell) as a dual-modal contrast-enhancing agent for biomarker targeted x-ray computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) applications.

Methods: The gold and silver iodine core/shell nanodimer (Au/AgICSD) was prepared by fusing together components of gold, silver, and iodine. The physicochemical properties of Au/AgICSD were then characterized using different optical and imaging techniques (e.

Photoacoustic and photothermal cytometry using photoswitchable proteins and nanoparticles with ultrasharp resonances.

In the article by E. I. Galanzha et al.

Nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery to cancer stem cells.

Recent developments in cancer biology have identified the existence of a sub-poplulation of cells - cancer stem cells (CSC) that are resistant to most traditional therapies (e.g. chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and have the ability to repair their damaged DNA.

Multistructural biomimetic substrates for controlled cellular differentiation.

Multidimensional scaffolds are considered to be ideal candidates for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering based on their potential to provide an excellent microenvironment and direct the fate of the cultured cells. More recently, the use of stem cells in medicine has opened a new technological opportunity for controlled tissue formation. However, the mechanism through which the substrate directs the differentiation of stem cells is still rather unclear.

Photoacoustic and photothermal cytometry using photoswitchable proteins and nanoparticles with ultrasharp resonances.

Photoswitchable fluorescent proteins (PSFPs) with controllable spectral shifts in emission in response to light have led to breakthroughs in cell biology. Conventional photoswitching, however, is not applicable to weakly fluorescent proteins. As an alternative, photothermal (PT) and photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy have demonstrated a tremendous potential for studying absorbing nonfluorescent proteins and nanoparticles.

Reversing chemoresistance of malignant glioma stem cells using gold nanoparticles.

The low rate of survival for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma may be attributed to the existence of a subpopulation of cancer stem cells. These stem cells have certain properties that enable them to resist chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation. Herein, we show that temozolomide-loaded gold nanostructures are efficient in reducing chemoresistance and destroy 82.

Gold nanoparticles conjugated with cisplatin/doxorubicin/capecitabine lower the chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cancer cells.

Background And Aims: The aim of the current study was to evaluate in vitro the anti-tumor efficacy of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) conjugated with conventional chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of liver cancer. This approach based on gold proposes a novel platform therapy with minimal toxicity and increased efficacy profiles for the destruction of hepatic cancer cells.

Methods: GNPs, stabilized with a monolayer of L-aspartate and additional cytostatic drugs, were successfully used as a complex tumor-targeting drug-delivery system.

Selective ex-vivo photothermal ablation of human pancreatic cancer with albumin functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

The process of laser-mediated ablation of cancer cells marked with biofunctionalized carbon nanotubes is frequently called "nanophotothermolysis". We herein present a method of selective nanophotothermolisys of pancreatic cancer (PC) using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with human serum albumin (HSA). With the purpose of testing the therapeutic value of these nanobioconjugates, we have developed an ex-vivo experimental platform.

Electrically conductive gold-coated collagen nanofibers for placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhanced differentiation and proliferation.

Gold-coated collagen nanofibers (GCNFs) were produced by a single-step reduction process and used for the growth and differentiation of human adult stem cells. The nanomaterials were characterized by a number of analytical techniques including electron microscopy and spectroscopy. They were found to be biocompatible and to improve the myocardial and neuronal differentiation process of the mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the placental chorionic component.

Enhanced laser thermal ablation for the in vitro treatment of liver cancer by specific delivery of multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized with human serum albumin.

The main goal of this investigation was to develop and test a new method of treatment for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We present a method of carbon nanotube-enhanced laser thermal ablation of HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line) based on a simple multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) carrier system, such as human serum albumin (HSA), and demonstrate its selective therapeutic efficacy compared with normal hepatocyte cells. Both HepG2 cells and hepatocytes were treated with HSA-MWCNTs at various concentrations and at various incubation times and further irradiated using a 2 W, 808 nm laser beam.