Evaluating the pharmacokinetics and in vivo cancer targeting capability of Au nanocages by positron emission tomography imaging

ACS Nano. 2012 Jul 24;6(7):5880-8. doi: 10.1021/nn300464r. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Abstract

Gold nanocages have recently emerged as a novel class of photothermal transducers and drug carriers for cancer treatment. However, their pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting capability remain largely unexplored due to the lack of an imaging modality for quick and reliable mapping of their distributions in vivo. Herein, Au nanocages were prepared with controlled physicochemical properties and radiolabeled with (64)Cu in high specific activities for in vivo evaluation using positron emission tomography (PET). Our pharmacokinetic studies with femtomolar administrations suggest that 30 nm nanocages had a greatly improved biodistribution profile than 55 nm nanocages, together with higher blood retention and lower hepatic and splenic uptakes. In a murine EMT-6 breast cancer model, the small cages also showed a significantly higher level of tumor uptake and a greater tumor-to-muscle ratio than the large cages. Quantitative PET imaging confirmed rapid accumulation and retention of Au nanocages inside the tumors. The ability to directly and quickly image the distribution of Au nanocages in vivo allows us to further optimize their physicochemical properties for a range of theranostic applications.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Copper Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Gold
  • Male
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / diagnosis
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / diagnostic imaging
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Nanomedicine
  • Nanotechnology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Copper Radioisotopes
  • Gold