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Comment
. 2014 Oct 29;6(260):260fs44.
doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa0614. Epub 2014 Oct 29.

Nanoparticles: take only pictures, leave only footprints

Peter L Choyke  1
Affiliations
Comment

Nanoparticles: take only pictures, leave only footprints

Peter L Choyke. Sci Transl Med. .

Abstract

A phase I study of a tumor-targeted nanoshell in five patients documents an important milestone in the development of nanoparticles for molecular imaging in humans (Phillips et al., this issue).

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. Nano’s footprints.
The nanoparticle created by Phillips et al. (1) is composed of a silica shell encapsulating a Cy5 fluorophore (the “C dot”). PEG is bound to the nanoshell on one end and 124I-cRGDY on the other. After injection, most of the hybrid optical-PET imaging agent was excreted intact by the kidneys and bladder. The liver catches larger or uncoated nanoparticles, so this was not a major tissue for 124I-cRGDY-PEG-C dot accumulation. Small amounts of the tracer were detected in the thyroid (free iodine) and GI tract. The biodistribution [adapted from (1)] demonstrates that the urinary tract is the dominant route of excretion, which is favorable for translation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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