The ability to simultaneously deliver both a diagnostic and therapeutic agent may one day be used to improve the diagnosis, imaging and treatment of brain tumors, according to findings from Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech.
Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive brain tumors, and they come with a high relapse rate. Because these specific tumor cells often develop outside the defined tumor margins, it is difficult for radiologists to capture them with current imaging techniques.
To address these medical challenges, recent research revealed a nanoparticle containing an MRI diagnostic agent can successfully be imaged within the brain tumor and also deliver radiation therapy in an animal model.
The nanoparticle is known as a theranostic agent, a single compound with the ability to deliver simultaneously effective treatment and imaging. It is filled with gadolinium, a sensitive MRI contrast agent for imaging, and attached with radioactive lutetium 177 to provide brachytherapy. The lutetium 177 is affixed to the outside of the carbon cage of the nanoparticle.
With these findings, researchers believe the nanoplatform will improve imaging and treatment of brain tumors by allowing more precise imaging and a greater dose of localized radiation.