Targeted Nanoparticles with High Heating Efficiency for the Treatment of Endometriosis with Systemically Delivered Magnetic Hyperthermia

This study is the first to describe nanoparticles that enable systemically delivered magnetic hyperthermia for endometriosis treatment. When subjected to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), these hexagonal iron-oxide nanoparticles exhibit extraordina ry heating efficiency that is 6.4× greater than their spherical counterparts. Modifying nanoparticles with a peptide targeted to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) enhances their endometriosis specificity. Studies in mice bearing transplants of macaque endometriotic tissue reve al that, following intravenous injection at a low dose (3 mg per kg), these nanoparticles efficiently accumulate in endometriotic lesions, selectively elevate intralesional temperature above 50 °C upon exposure to external AMF, and completely eradicate them with a single treatment. These nanopart icles also demonstrate promising potential as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for precise detection of endometriotic tissue before AMF application.
Source: Small - Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research