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A multimodal nanoparticle for preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative optical brain tumor
Moritz F Kircher1, Umar Mahmood, Raymond S King
1Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
Abstract:
The determination of brain tumor margins both during the presurgical planning phase and during surgical resection has long been a challenging task in the therapy of brain tumor patients. Using a model of gliosarcoma with stably green fluorescence protein-expressing 9L glioma cells, we explored a multimodal (near-infrared fluorescent and magnetic) nanoparticle as a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent and intraoperative optical probe. Key features of nanoparticle metabolism, namely intracellular sequestration by microglia and the combined optical and magnetic properties of the probe, allowed delineation of brain tumors both by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and by intraoperative optical imaging. This prototypical multimodal nanoparticle has unique properties that may allow radiologists and neurosurgeons to see the same probe in the same cells and may offer a new approach for obtaining tumor margins.
Insights
This study introduces a multimodal nanoparticle for brain tumor margin delineation. The nanoparticle acts as both a preoperative MRI contrast agent and an intraoperative optical probe, improving surgical precision.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Accurate determination of brain tumor margins is critical for effective patient therapy.
- Current methods for intraoperative margin assessment present significant challenges for neurosurgeons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore a novel multimodal nanoparticle for enhanced brain tumor margin delineation.
- To evaluate its utility as a preoperative MRI contrast agent and an intraoperative optical probe.
Main Methods:
- Development and characterization of a near-infrared fluorescent and magnetic nanoparticle.
- Utilizing a gliosarcoma rat model with green fluorescence protein-expressing glioma cells.
- Assessing nanoparticle performance in preoperative MRI and intraoperative optical imaging.
Main Results:
- The multimodal nanoparticle successfully delineated brain tumors via preoperative MRI.
- Intraoperative optical imaging using the nanoparticle enabled precise tumor margin visualization.
- Nanoparticle sequestration by microglia contributed to effective tumor delineation.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal nanoparticles offer a promising approach for improving brain tumor margin definition.
- This technology may enhance collaboration between radiologists and neurosurgeons.
- The developed nanoparticle represents a new strategy for precise tumor resection.
