Luminescence targeting and imaging using a nanoscale generation 3 dendrimer in an in vivo colorectal metastatic rat model

Marco A. Alcala, Shu Ying Kwan, Chad M. Shade, Megan Lang, Hyounsoo Uh, Manyan Wang, Stephen G. Weber, David L. Bartlett, Stéphane Petoud, Yong J. Lee, Marco A. Alcala, Shu Ying Kwan, Chad M. Shade, Megan Lang, Hyounsoo Uh, Manyan Wang, Stephen G. Weber, David L. Bartlett, Stéphane Petoud, Yong J. Lee

Index: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine 7(3) , 249-58, (2011)

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Abstract

Surgery is currently the best approach for treating either primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies. Because only 20% of hepatic cancers are operable in patients, several types of regional therapy (RT) are emerging as alternate treatment modalities. However, RTs can have their own limitations at controlling tumor growth or may lack the ability to detect such metastases. Additional strategies can be implemented to enhance their efficacy. An animal model of hepatic metastases coupled with a gastroduodenal artery (GDA) cannulation technique may provide a site to apply such therapies. In our study, splenic injections were performed with CC531 adenocarcinoma cells, which generated metastatic hepatic tumors in WAG/RijHsd rats. Cannulation of GDA was achieved via a polyethylene catheter. Infusion of generation 3 polyamidoamine 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide dendrimer containing 8 europium ions (Eu-G3P4A18N) via the GDA resulted in luminescence of the hepatic metastatic nodules. Imaging of the metastatic hepatic nodules was obtained with the help of a cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera.