Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticles as Delivery Platforms for Therapeutic Applications

Advisor(s)

This work was supported in part by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science under the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

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Document Type

Poster

Location

McIntosh Activities Room

Start Date

19-4-2024 10:00 AM

End Date

19-4-2024 10:50 AM

Abstract

Nanoparticles have great potential in aiding efforts to treat cancer using targeted alpha therapy. In targeted alpha therapy, cytotoxic levels of radiation are delivered to tumor cells by alpha particles produced during radioactive decay. Stabilizing the parent radionuclide and containing its decay daughters near the tumor cells is key to minimize cytotoxicity to healthy tissues. Nanoparticles have been studied as an alternative to stabilize, deliver, and prevent the relocation of radionuclides from the tumor cells. Nanoparticles can improve the retention of radionuclides by incorporating them into their structure, which acts as a physical barrier. This study aims to explore silica (SiO2) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles as radionuclide delivery platforms. Nanoparticles were synthesized using two different methods: batch nanoprecipitation and flash nanoprecipitation using a confined impingement jet mixer (CIJM). Nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Various labeling techniques were explored and compared to enhance the fraction of surrogate metal ions and radionuclides within nanoparticles. Surrogate studies were performed to optimize radiolabeling conditions. Nanoparticle concentration and reaction pH had a significant effect on the labeling yield of SiO2. Successful labeling of PLGA nanoparticles was achieved after functionalization with octadecyl acyclopa. The ratio between PLGA nanoparticles and octadecyl acyclopa influenced the labeling yield. These results showed that the development and optimization of nanoparticles as radionuclide delivery platforms is required to achieve high radiolabeling yields required for targeted alpha therapy.

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Apr 19th, 10:00 AM Apr 19th, 10:50 AM

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticles as Delivery Platforms for Therapeutic Applications

McIntosh Activities Room

Nanoparticles have great potential in aiding efforts to treat cancer using targeted alpha therapy. In targeted alpha therapy, cytotoxic levels of radiation are delivered to tumor cells by alpha particles produced during radioactive decay. Stabilizing the parent radionuclide and containing its decay daughters near the tumor cells is key to minimize cytotoxicity to healthy tissues. Nanoparticles have been studied as an alternative to stabilize, deliver, and prevent the relocation of radionuclides from the tumor cells. Nanoparticles can improve the retention of radionuclides by incorporating them into their structure, which acts as a physical barrier. This study aims to explore silica (SiO2) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles as radionuclide delivery platforms. Nanoparticles were synthesized using two different methods: batch nanoprecipitation and flash nanoprecipitation using a confined impingement jet mixer (CIJM). Nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Various labeling techniques were explored and compared to enhance the fraction of surrogate metal ions and radionuclides within nanoparticles. Surrogate studies were performed to optimize radiolabeling conditions. Nanoparticle concentration and reaction pH had a significant effect on the labeling yield of SiO2. Successful labeling of PLGA nanoparticles was achieved after functionalization with octadecyl acyclopa. The ratio between PLGA nanoparticles and octadecyl acyclopa influenced the labeling yield. These results showed that the development and optimization of nanoparticles as radionuclide delivery platforms is required to achieve high radiolabeling yields required for targeted alpha therapy.