Nanotechnology has introduced a new quality and has definitely developed the possibilities of treating and diagnosing various diseases. One of the scientists’ interests is liposomes and metallic nanoparticles (LipoMNPs)—the combination of which has introduced new properties and applications. However, the field of creating hybrid nanostructures consisting of liposomes and metallic nanoparticles is relatively little understood. The purpose of this review was to compile the latest reports in the field of treatment and medical imaging using of LipoMNPs. The authors focused on presenting this issue in the direction of improving the used conventional treatment and imaging methods. Most of all, the nature of bio-interactions between nanostructures and cells is not sufficiently taken into account. As a result, overcoming the existing limitations in the implementation of such solutions in the clinic is difficult. We concluded that hybrid nanostructures are used in a very wide range, especially in the treatment of cancer and magnetic resonance imaging. There were also solutions that combine treatments with simultaneous imaging, creating a theragnostic approach. In the future, researchers should focus on the description of the biological interactions and the long-term effects of the nanostructures to use LipoMNPs in the treatment of patients.

To increase the efficiency of therapy via enhancing its selectivity, the usage of gold nanorods (GNR) as a factor sensitizing cancer cells to radiation was proposed. Due to gold nanoparticles’ characteristics, the smaller doses of radiation would be sufficient in the treatment, protecting the healthy tissue around the tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gold nanorods on cancer and normal prostate cells and the role of nanorods in the cell response to ionizing radiation. The effect was evaluated by measuring the toxicity, cell cycle, cell granularity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and survival fractions. Nanorods showed a strong toxicity dependent on the concentration and incubation time toward all used cell lines. A slight effect of nanorods on the cycle distribution was observed. The results demonstrated that the administration of nanorods at higher concentrations resulted in an increased level of generated radicals. The results of cellular proliferation after irradiation are ambiguous; however, there are noticeable differences after the application of nanorods before irradiation. The obtained results lead to the conclusion that nanorods affect the physiology of both normal and cancer cells. Nanorods might become a potential tool used to increase the effectiveness of radiation treatment

Oxygenation is one of the most important physiological parameters of biological systems. Low oxygen concentration (hypoxia) is associated with various pathophysiological processes in different organs. Hypoxia is of special importance in tumor therapy, causing poor response to treatment. Triaryl methyl (TAM) derivative radicals are commonly used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as sensors for quantitative spatial tissue oxygen mapping. They are also known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents and fluorescence imaging compounds. We report the properties of the TAM radical tris(2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-carboxy-phenyl)methyl, (PTMTC), a potential multimodal (EPR/fluorescence) marker. PTMTC was spectrally analyzed using EPR and characterized by estimation of its sensitivity to the oxygen in liquid environment suitable for intravenous injection (1 mM PBS, pH = 7.4). Further, fluorescent emission of the radical was measured using the same solvent and its quantum yield was estimated. An in vitro cytotoxicity examination was conducted in two cancer cell lines, HT-29 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and FaDu (squamous cell carcinoma) and followed by uptake studies. The stability of the radical in different solutions (PBS pH = 7.4, cell media used for HT-29 and FaDu cells culturing and cytotoxicity procedure, full rat blood and blood plasma) was determined. Finally, a primary toxicity test of PTMTC was carried out in mice. Results of spectral studies confirmed the multimodal properties of PTMTC. PTMTC was demonstrated to be not absorbed by cancer cells and did not interfere with luciferin-luciferase based assays. Also in vitro and in vivo tests showed that it was non-toxic and can be freely administrated till doses of 250 mg/kg BW via both i.v. and i.p. injections. This work illustrated that PTMTC is a perfect candidate for multimodal (EPR/fluorescence) contrast agent in preclinical studies.

Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) has been recognised as a valuable method for non-invasive assessment of cerebral blood flow but validation studies regarding quantification accuracy by comparison against an accepted gold standard are scarce, especially in small animals. We have conducted the present study with the aim of comparing ASL flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR)-derived unidirectional water uptake (K1) and 68Ga/64Cu microsphere (MS)-derived blood flow (f) in the rat brain. In 15 animals, K1and f were determined successively in dedicated small animal positron emission tomography and MR scanners. The Renkin-Crone model modified by a scaling factor was used for the quantification of f and K1. Below about 1 mL/min/mL, we obtain an approximately linear relationship between f and K1. At higher flow values, the limited permeability of water at the blood brain barrier becomes apparent. Within the accessed dynamic flow range (0.2 to 1.9 mL/min/mL), the data are adequately described by the Renkin-Crone model yielding a permeability surface area product of (1.53±0.46) mL/min/mL. The ASL-FAIR technique is suitable for absolute blood flow quantification in the rat brain when using a one-compartment model including a suitable extraction correction for data evaluation. 24-9168.21-4/2004-1 (registered in Freistadt Sachsen, Landesdirektion Dresden).

Multimodal imaging based on nanostructures has become a subject of interest for numerous biomedical laboratories. The main focus was placed on applying nanocrystals for the purpose of two types of clinical imaging (contrast and fluorescent agents) due to their excellent luminescence and/or paramagnetic properties. Such systems should also be characterized by low toxicity and high cellular uptake efficiency. Since bare rare earth fluoride nanocrystals influence the cell membrane integrity, it is expected that their coatings will improve biocompatibility profile, as well as increase hydrophilicity, dispersion and chemical stability. Hence, by synthesis of β-NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺Er³⁺ nanorods (NRs) coated with noncovalently bounded polyethylene glycol monooleate (PEG-Mo), it should be possible to obtain multimodal imaging biomarkers meeting established criteria. Synthesis of β-NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺Er³⁺@PEG-Mo NRs was performed by the co-precipitation method. These nanostructures were characterized in terms of their size, morphology, zeta potential, magnetic and optical properties as well as their cytotoxicity profile and cellular internalization was evaluated. It was shown that the shape and size of nanocrystals, namely 20 nm nanorods, present generally accepted parameters for biomedical purpose. Ligand attraction of PEG-Mo 860 resulted in the encapsulation of oleic acid coated NRs and formation of hydrophilic bilayer. Superparamagnetic and luminescence properties were highly efficient. Cytotoxic profiles of normal and cancer cell lines were low and determined by dose and time. Cellular uptake was confirmed by the presence of upconversion luminescence in cell interior. These findings are showing multimodal imaging properties of rod shaped β-NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺Er³⁺@PEG-Mo NRs which may be useful in some biomedical applications.