Genomic and Transcriptomic Profiling of Brain Metastases.

Brain metastases (BM) are the most common brain tumors in adults occurring in up to 40% of all cancer patients. Multi-omics approaches allow for understanding molecular mechanisms and identification of markers with prognostic significance. In this study, we profile 130 BM using genomics and transcriptomics and correlate molecular characteristics to clinical parameters.

Gold nanorods enhance different immune cells and allow for efficient targeting of CD4+ Foxp3+ Tregulatory cells.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold great promise in nanomedicine, yet their successful clinical translation has not been realized. Some challenges include effective AuNP targeting and delivery to improve modulation of immune cells of interest while limiting potential adverse effects. In order to overcome these challenges, we must fully understand how AuNPs impact different immune cell subsets, particularly within the dendritic cell and T cell compartments.

Brain Tumor Biobank Development for Precision Medicine: Role of the Neurosurgeon.

Neuro-oncology biobanks are critical for the implementation of a precision medicine program. In this perspective, we review our first year experience of a brain tumor biobank with integrated next generation sequencing. From our experience, we describe the critical role of the neurosurgeon in diagnosis, research, and precision medicine efforts.

Plasmonic gap-enhanced Raman tag nanorods for imaging 3D pancreatic spheroids using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and darkfield microscopy.

Plasmonic gap-enhanced Raman tags (GERTs) are new emerging nanoprobes that, based on their unique surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal, can play a major role in complex imaging and detection of biological systems. GERTs are generated from a metal core nanostructure and layered with one or more metal nanosized layers, encasing a Raman active molecule. The advantages of GERTs are enhanced surface plasmon and electromagnetic resonance, as well as inherent protection of the Raman active molecule from environmental deterioration that could reduce their spectroscopic signatures over time.

3D cultures for modeling nanomaterial-based photothermal therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is one of the most promising techniques for cancer tumor ablation. Nanoparticles are increasingly being investigated for use with PTT and can serve as theranostic agents. Based on the ability of near-infrared nano-photo-absorbers to generate heat under laser irradiation, PTT could prove advantageous in certain situations over more classical cancer therapies.

Tracking Gold Nanorods' Interaction with Large 3D Pancreatic-Stromal Tumor Spheroids by Multimodal Imaging: Fluorescence, Photoacoustic, and Photothermal Microscopies.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most complex types of cancers to detect, diagnose, and treat. However, the field of nanomedicine has strong potential to address such challenges. When evaluating the diffusion and penetration of theranostic nanoparticles, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is of crucial importance because it acts as a barrier to the tumor microenvironment.

Quantification of cellular associated graphene and induced surface receptor responses.

The use of graphene for biomedical and other applications involving humans is growing and shows practical promise. However, quantifying the graphitic nanomaterials that interact with cells and assessing any corresponding cellular response is extremely challenging. Here, we report an effective approach to quantify graphene interacting with single cells that utilizes combined multimodal-Raman and photoacoustic spectroscopy.

Modifying Dendritic Cell Activation with Plasmonic Nano Vectors.

Dendritic cells (DCs) can acquire, process, and present antigens to T-cells to induce an immune response. For this reason, targeting cancer antigens to DCs in order to cause an immune response against cancer is an emerging area of nanomedicine that has the potential to redefine the way certain cancers are treated. The use of plasmonically active silver-coated gold nanorods (henceforth referred to as plasmonic nano vectors (PNVs)) as potential carriers for DC tumor vaccines has not been presented before.

Raman spectroscopy using plasmonic and carbon-based nanoparticles for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment guidance. Part 2: Treatment.

Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS) have the potential to improve the detection and monitoring of various diseases, particularly cancer, with or without the support of multifunctional active nanosystems. This review is focused on the recent advances that have made Raman a major tool for treatment guidance for surgical tumor resection or for analytical monitoring of various therapies, such as photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery. The potential of Raman spectroscopy and nanosytems to further improve cancer treatments is also discussed.

Raman spectroscopy using plasmonic and carbon-based nanoparticles for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment guidance.Part 1: Diagnosis.

Optical techniques, including Raman, photothermal and photoacoustic microscopy and spectroscopy, have been intensively explored for the sensitive and accurate detection of various diseases. Rapid advances in lasers, photodetectors, and nanotechnology have led to the development of Raman spectroscopy, particularly surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as a promising imaging modality that can help diagnose many diseases. This review focuses on the major recent advances in Raman spectroscopy and SERS-enhancing contrast nanoagents, as well as their potential to transition from a proof-of-concept approach to a cancer detection tool in vitro and in vivo.

The role of surface chemistry in the cytotoxicity profile of graphene.

Graphene and its derivative, because of their unique physical, electrical and chemical properties, are an important class of nanomaterials being proposed as foundational materials in nanomedicine as well as for a variety of industrial applications. A major limitation for graphene, when used in biomedical applications, is its poor solubility due to its rather hydrophobic nature. Therefore, chemical functionalities are commonly introduced to alter both its surface chemistry and biochemical activity.