Eli Lechtman

Implications on clinical scenario of gold nanoparticle radiosensitization in regards to photon energy, nanoparticle size, concentration and location

Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) radiosensitization represents a novel approach to enhance the effectiveness of ionizing radiation. Its efficiency varies widely with photon source energy and AuNP size, concentration, and intracellular localization. In this Monte Carlo study we explored the effects of those parameters to define the optimal clinical use of AuNPs. Photon sources included (103)Pd and (125)I brachytherapy seeds; (169)Yb, (192)Ir high dose rate sources, and external beam sources 300 kVp and 6 MV. AuNP sizes were 1.9, 5, 30, and 100 nm. We observed a 10(3) increase in the rate of photoelectric absorption using (125)I compared to 6 MV. For a (125)I source, to double the dose requires concentrations of 5.33-6.26 mg g(-1) of Au or 7.10 × 10(4) 30 nm AuNPs per tumor cell. For 6 MV, concentrations of 1560-1760 mg g(-1) or 2.17 × 10(7) 30 nm AuNPs per cell are needed, which is not clinically achievable. Examining the proportion of energy transferred to escaping particles or internally absorbed in the nanoparticle suggests two clinical strategies: the first uses photon energies below the k-edge and takes advantage of the extremely localized Auger cascade. It requires small AuNPs conjugated to tumor targeted moieties and nuclear localizing sequences. The second, using photon sources above the k-edge, requires a higher gold concentration in the tumor region. In this approach, energy deposited by photoelectrons is the main contribution to radiosensitization; AuNP size and cellular localization are less relevant.

Design and characterization of HER-2-targeted gold nanoparticles for enhanced X-radiation treatment of locally advanced breast cancer.

Our purpose was to develop a human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) targeted nanotechnology-based radiosensitizer. HER-2 is overexpressed in 20-30% of all breast cancers and up to 2-fold higher in locally advanced disease (LABC). Trastuzumab was derivatized with a polyethylene glycol (OPSS-PEG-SVA) cross-linker to produce trastuzumab-PEG-OPSS. These immunoconjugates were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and their immunoreactivity was assessed by flow cytometry using HER-2 overexpressing SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. Reacting trastuzumab with increasing ratios of PEG resulted in an increase in molecular weight from approximately 148 kDa to 243 kDa, associated with increasing PEG substitution (0.6 to 18.9 PEG chains per trastuzumab). Attachment of approximately 7 PEG chains per trastuzumab resulted in 56% retention in immunoreactivity assessed by flow cytometry. The conjugates were then linked to 30 nm AuNPs. Using a novel (123)iodine-radiotracer based assay that overcomes the current limitations of spectrophotometric quantification of biological molecules on AuNPs we estimate 14.3 ± 2.7 antibodies were attached to each AuNP when 2 × 10(11) AuNPs were reacted with 20 μg of trastuzumab-PEG-OPSS. Specificity of trastuzumab-PEG-AuNPs for HER-2 and internalization in SK-BR-3 cells was demonstrated by comparing the uptake of trastuzumab-PEG-AuNPs or PEG-AuNPs by darkfield microscopy. The ability of trastuzumab-PEG-AuNPs in combination with 300 kVp X-rays to enhance DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in SK-BR-3 cells was assessed by immunofluorescence using the γ-H2AX assay. γ-H2AX assay results revealed 5.1-fold higher DNA-DSBs with trastuzumab-PEG-AuNPs and X-radiation as compared to treatment with X-radiation alone. The trastuzumab-PEG-AuNPs are a promising targeted nanotechnology-based radiosensitizer for improving LABC therapy. The design and systematic approaches taken to surface modify and characterize trastuzumab-PEG-AuNPs described in this study would have application to other molecularly targeted AuNPs for cancer treatment.

Role of Antibody-Mediated Tumor Targeting and Route of Administration in Nanoparticle Tumor Accumulation in Vivo

In this study, we have looked at enhancing tumor uptake and intracellular delivery of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) while reducing the systemic exposure by systematic evaluation of the impact of targeting and route of administration on organ distribution. High-resolution microSPECT/CT imaging was used to track the in vivo fate of (111)In-labeled nontargeted and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) targeted AuNPs following intravenous (i.v.) or intratumoral (i.t.) injection. For i.v. injection, the effects of GdCl3 (for deactivation of macrophages) and nonspecific (anti-CD20) antibody rituximab (for blocking of Fc mediated liver and spleen uptake) were studied. It was found that HER-2 targeting via attachment of trastuzumab paradoxically decreased tumor uptake as a result of faster elimination of the targeted AuNPs from the blood while improving internalization in HER-2-positive tumor cells as compared to nontargeted AuNPs. I.T. injections with HER-2 targeted AuNPs resulted in high tumor retention with low systemic exposure and represents an attractive delivery strategy. Our results provide a strategy for optimizing tumor delivery and quantifying organ distribution of this widely studied class of nanomaterial.