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Multifunctional polymeric micelles as cancer-targeted, MRI-ultrasensitive drug delivery systems.

Nasongkla N, Bey E, Ren J, Ai H, Khemtong C, Guthi JS, Chin SF, Sherry AD, Boothman DA, Gao J

Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA.

We describe the development of multifunctional polymeric micelles with cancer-targeting capability via alpha(v)beta(3) integrins, controlled drug delivery, and efficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast characteristics. Doxorubicin and a cluster of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were loaded successfully inside the micelle core. The presence of cRGD on the micelle surface resulted in the cancer-targeted delivery to alpha(v)beta(3)-expressing tumor cells. In vitro MRI and cytotoxicity studies demonstrated the ultrasensitive MRI imaging and alpha(v)beta(3)-specific cytotoxic response of these multifunctional polymeric micelles.

Published 8 November 2006 in Nano Lett, 6(11): 2427-30.
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