High breast cancer rates in women make it a leading cause of death, particularly in less developed countries. Current breast cancer diagnosis and treatment face several key challenges such as:
- Inaccurate tissue analysis due to sampling errors, tumor heterogeneity, and receptor status changes over time
- Severe side effects caused by treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, affecting quality of life
- Accessibility of safe, targeted, and time-sensitive cancer management solutions that cater to patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds
Figure 1. CLSM images showing L929 Control cells treated with DAPI (a) Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) image, (b) DAPI channel with 410-454 nm emission filter, (c) Fluorescence channel with 680-730 nm emission filter, (d) merged image of all channels and 4T1 breast cancer cells treated with DAPI and dye-loaded liposomes
This technology uses BSN-liposomes engineered for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and therapy. These nanoscale liposomes integrate a novel fluorescent dye, BSN, enabling precise real-time imaging of cancer cells with high sensitivity and specificity. The technology leverages photothermal therapy, utilizing the same BSN-liposomes to selectively ablate cancerous tissues upon Near-Infrared (NIR) irradiation, offering a minimally invasive treatment modality, with potential for reduced side effects and improved patient outcomes.
- Targeted Treatment: This technology offers improved delivery and localized treatment of cancer, while minimizing systemic side effects.
- Real-Time Monitoring: It enables simultaneous imaging and treatment, enhancing precision and effectiveness.
- Biocompatibility: The theranostic complex shows efficient cellular internalization, stability, and photothermal efficacy.
- Versatility: It can be combined with other therapeutic agents like anti-inflammatory drugs, antiallergens, immunosuppressants, and corticosteroids for enhanced treatment efficacy.
The theranostic complex has been made and tested on mouse fibroblast L929 cells for in vitro biocompatibility and 4T1 breast cancer cell line for cellular uptake and imaging studies. It has demonstrated high biocompatibility with >90% cell viability up to 125 µg/mL. It shows effective fluorescence imaging in cancer cell lines, indicating strong potential for real-time diagnosis and therapy.
The innovation demonstrates potential for dual-use in real-time cancer detection and photothermal therapy. It is ready for further preclinical and clinical evaluations for breast cancer treatment applications.
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The fluorescence imaging contributes to improved cancer diagnosis, facilitating early diagnosis and potentially higher survival rates. The integration of photothermal therapy offers a non-invasive alternative with reduced side effects compared to traditional methods. Efficiency gains in diagnosis and treatment could reduce healthcare costs associated with cancer care, benefiting healthcare systems and patients alike.
Nanomedicine, cancer diagnosis, imaging, and targeted therapy – particularly for breast cancer
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