NANOMAT Uptake and toxicity of quantum dots in cancer cells
Project duration 2007-2011
Funding Agency: The Research Council of Norway
Project number: 182058
Status: Completed
Primary and secondary objectives of the project
Emerging nanotechnology can have an impact on the detection of cancer in its earliest
stages. This is becoming possible since nanoparticles can be now constructed to possess few multifunctional properties at the same time: for targeting, diagnostics and therapy. To ensure progress of this field into clinical use multidisciplinary research has to be done. This study will be dedicated to investigate possible mechanisms of uptake and toxicity of quantum dots in cancer cells. The study will aim at these goals: 1) Establishment of the synthesis of quantum dots; 2) Studies of endocytic uptake of the quantum dots in cancer cells in vitro; 3) Studies of quantum dot delivery; 4) Mechanisms of phototoxicity and radiotoxicity (generation of reactive oxygen species); and 5) Dynamics of photoexcited states of quantum dots.
Summary
Most of the work on quantum dots has so far been focused on their production and fluorescence imaging. The possibility to use quantum dots as photosensitizers remains unexplored: Can these nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species in biological envir onments? Such a potential of quantum dots will be studied with the ultimate aim for diagnostics and therapy.Two general limitations apply to most anticancer drugs and imaging agents: Low targeting selectivity, and inefficient passage through the biologic al barriers to the target. Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary field covering a new generation of nanoscale particles for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and imaging markers. However, synthesis of so-called quantum dots is far f rom being standardized, and many features are yet to be explored.The challenge is to improve the surface and the bioconjugation of these small probes, and to optimize them for successful applications in vivo. The possibility of using bioconjugated quantu m dots for biological applications and for animal imaging is exciting. However, data on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity in vivo are lacking. Before the benefits of targeting with quantum dots for imaging and treatment of cancer can be realized in clinic al use, more information about their properties must be gathered.
Related presentation
Page 5 in the presentation (PDF 780 kB) by Ruth Schmid at the NANOMAT's closing seminar on November 2, 2011.
Project results
We have identified promising nanoparticle photosensitizers. Nanoparticles composed of relatively non-toxic elements carbon, silver, gold, magnetite or zinc oxide increase radiation effects by photocatalytic or radiocatalytic action in cancer cells.
Final report (in Norwegian): Word document (23 kB)
Publications and presentations: Word document (24 kB)
Project number: 182058
Status: Completed
Primary and secondary objectives of the project
Emerging nanotechnology can have an impact on the detection of cancer in its earliest
stages. This is becoming possible since nanoparticles can be now constructed to possess few multifunctional properties at the same time: for targeting, diagnostics and therapy. To ensure progress of this field into clinical use multidisciplinary research has to be done. This study will be dedicated to investigate possible mechanisms of uptake and toxicity of quantum dots in cancer cells. The study will aim at these goals: 1) Establishment of the synthesis of quantum dots; 2) Studies of endocytic uptake of the quantum dots in cancer cells in vitro; 3) Studies of quantum dot delivery; 4) Mechanisms of phototoxicity and radiotoxicity (generation of reactive oxygen species); and 5) Dynamics of photoexcited states of quantum dots.
Summary
Most of the work on quantum dots has so far been focused on their production and fluorescence imaging. The possibility to use quantum dots as photosensitizers remains unexplored: Can these nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species in biological envir onments? Such a potential of quantum dots will be studied with the ultimate aim for diagnostics and therapy.Two general limitations apply to most anticancer drugs and imaging agents: Low targeting selectivity, and inefficient passage through the biologic al barriers to the target. Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary field covering a new generation of nanoscale particles for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and imaging markers. However, synthesis of so-called quantum dots is far f rom being standardized, and many features are yet to be explored.The challenge is to improve the surface and the bioconjugation of these small probes, and to optimize them for successful applications in vivo. The possibility of using bioconjugated quantu m dots for biological applications and for animal imaging is exciting. However, data on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity in vivo are lacking. Before the benefits of targeting with quantum dots for imaging and treatment of cancer can be realized in clinic al use, more information about their properties must be gathered.
Related presentation
Page 5 in the presentation (PDF 780 kB) by Ruth Schmid at the NANOMAT's closing seminar on November 2, 2011.
Project results
We have identified promising nanoparticle photosensitizers. Nanoparticles composed of relatively non-toxic elements carbon, silver, gold, magnetite or zinc oxide increase radiation effects by photocatalytic or radiocatalytic action in cancer cells.
Final report (in Norwegian): Word document (23 kB)
Publications and presentations: Word document (24 kB)