MR imaging and targeting of human breast cancer cells with folate decorated nanoparticles

The way of viewing cancer has advanced considerably in the last few decades because of recent progress on two different topics: the knowledge of the mechanisms and characteristics of cancer and the innovation in imaging agent design. In particular the unique properties of cancer that allow differentiation from normal tissue could be employed in multi-functional nanoparticle imaging development. Genetic alterations, either endogenous or induced through gene therapy, are one class of such characteristics. At the same time proteomic differences such as overexpressed surface receptors are another targetable feature, used for enhanced nanoparticle retention. The here proposed magnetic nanoparticle (with biocompatible coating) was designed to target the human breast MDA-MB-231 tumor induced on a nude mice model. With the aim of developing a theranostic agent, the overexpression of folate protein receptor in breast cancer cells was exploited, decorating with folate an organic nanocarrier loaded with magnetite nanoparticles that acts as a diagnostic MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) contrast agent, and Paclitaxel (PTX) as antitumoral drug. A high uptake of nanoparticles and remarkable effect on in vivo MRI images show the targeting ability of our compound and its prolonged retention in tumor tissues. Due to the presence of PTX, the developed nanocarrier may potentially be used also for therapeutic purposes.