Mohsen Erfanzadeh

Protein corona: Opportunities and challenges

In contact with biological fluids diverse type of biomolecules (e.g., proteins) adsorb onto nanoparticles forming protein corona. Surface properties of the coated nanoparticles, in terms of type and amount of associated proteins, dictate their interactions with biological systems and thus biological fate, therapeutic efficiency and toxicity. In this perspective, we will focus on the recent advances and pitfalls in the protein corona field.

Ultrasound-Guided Diffuse Optical Tomography for Predicting and Monitoring Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of Breast Cancers Recent Progress

In this manuscript, we review the current progress of utilizing ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography (US-guided DOT) for predicting and monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) outcomes of breast cancer patients. We also report the recent advance on optical tomography systems toward portable and robust clinical use at multiple clinical sites. The first patient who has been closely monitored before NAC, at day 2, day 8, end of first three cycles of NAC, and before surgery is given as an example to demonstrate the potential of US-guided DOT technique.

Laser scanning laser diode photoacoustic microscopy system

The development of low-cost and fast photoacoustic microscopy systems enhances the clinical applicability of photoacoustic imaging systems. To this end, we present a laser scanning laser diode-based photoacoustic microscopy system. In this system, a 905 nm, 325 W maximum output peak power pulsed laser diode with 50 ns pulsewidth is utilized as the light source. A combination of aspheric and cylindrical lenses is used for collimation of the laser diode beam. Two galvanometer scanning mirrors steer the beam across a focusing aspheric lens. The lateral resolution of the system was measured to be ∼21 μm using edge spread function estimation. No averaging was performed during data acquisition. The imaging speed is ∼370 A-lines per second. Photoacoustic microscopy images of human hairs, ex vivo mouse ear, and ex vivo porcine ovary are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and potentials of the proposed system.

Toward Miniature Diffuse Optical Tomography System for Assessing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

In this paper, an improved near-infrared diffuse optical tomography system with compact size, miniature-data-acquisition module using FPGA, and a robust probe is introduced for assessing neoadjuvant chemotherapy response at multiple hospital sites.

Improvement and evaluation of a low-cost laser diode photoacoustic microscopy system for ovarian tissue imaging

We present a laser diode-based photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) system with a minimized light intensity loss for ovarian tissue imaging. A 905 nm, 650 W output peak power pulsed laser diode (PLD) is utilized as the light source. The intrinsic properties and the construction of this PLD typically make it challenging to focus its beam to a small spot size with a lowloss optical system. An optical system comprising a combination of aspheric and cylindrical lenses is presented that allows a low-loss collimation and tight focusing of the light beam. The lateral resolution of this PAM system is measured to be 40 μm using edge spread function estimation. Images of black human hairs, polyethylene tubes filled with rat blood, ex vivo mouse ear and ex vivo porcine ovary are presented.

Low-cost laser scanning photoacoustic microscopy system with a pulsed laser diode excitation source

We present a low-cost laser scanning photoacoustic microscopy system with a pulsed laser diode as the excitation source. The system utilizes a 905 nm pulsed laser diode with 120 ns pulse width and 1 KHz repetition rate. No averaging is performed in data acquisition, resulting in a short image acquisition time. The maximum field of view is 4.6 mm × 3.7 mm and the lateral resolution is 71 μm. Images of human hairs and mouse ear are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the system in imaging biological tissue.

Chapter 4 – Nanocytotoxicity

The ability to assess cellular cytotoxicity is a critically important element to the development and use of nanoparticles. This is especially true as cell viability assays represent the beginning of the preclinical pipeline. A number of dependable approaches exist to investigate possible toxic effects resulting from iron oxide nanoparticles and leveraging mechanisms including membrane integrity, metabolic function, redox, and inflammation. These methods use dyes and other agents to produce easily quantifiable readouts employing light microcopy, fluorescence, colorimetric, and other techniques. The broad range of approaches available allow for any nanoparticle to be quickly characterized for toxicity in the cell type of choice. In this section, we discuss the various established methods for characterizing nanocytotoxicity.

Chapter 11 – Cancer Therapy

Over the last two decades, iron oxide nanoparticles have demonstrated great progress and potential for use in oncological medicine. Due to their overall utility for a vast number of applications, iron oxides have been extensively investigated. This type of nanoparticle has numerous desirable properties such as facile synthesis, ease of functionalization, favorable magnetic characteristics, and biocompatible and biodegradable and is generally considered safe. Cancer therapy has already benefited in a number areas from the use of iron oxide nanoparticles in such areas as cancer imaging, a variety of therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy, cell tracking and monitoring, improved efficacy, and safety. While several forms of magnetite-based nanoparticle formulations are FDA approved as either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents or iron-deficiency therapeutics, there are still a number of other applications that these nanoparticles can be used for. Iron oxide nanoparticles can come in a number of shapes, sizes, and composition and can have modifiable coatings with targeting molecules such as antibodies, peptides, and small molecules. These surface moieties can improve tumor-targeting capabilities, while the nanoparticle itself can allow for monitoring by MRI and even optical methods depending on the modifications used and intended applications. Other potential cancer applications include improved delivery of cancer therapeutics, magnetic hypothermia, photothermal ablation, personalized medicine approaches, and photodynamic therapy. These approaches can result in multifunctional and/or theranostic nanoparticles suitable for diagnosis, treatment, and treatment monitoring of cancer.

Chapter 9 – Drug Delivery

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been approved for many biomedical applications, because of their ultrafine size, biocompatibility, and superparamagnetic properties. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), in conjunction with external magnetic fields, enable particles to be delivered to the desired target site and keep them at the site during drug release to act locally. Therefore, this combination decreases the medication dosage and minimizes the drugs systemic effect. The potential for SPION applications has grown substantially in recent years. Following new advancements, these nanoparticles have been extensively used as delivery systems for drugs, genes, and radionuclides in clinical medicine. Here, we discuss the role of iron oxide nanoparticles in drug delivery and passive and active drug targeting systems.

Chapter 10 – Tumor-Targeted Therapy

Abstract With the increase in cancer incidences, developments of precise diagnostic and therapeutic methods have gained further significance. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been used as targeted cancer therapy agents and contrast enhancement agents for targeted cancer diagnosis. In this chapter, we discuss the applications of iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted tumor therapy and as multimodal imaging contrast agents.