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An Implantable Magneto-Responsive Poly(aspartamide) Based Electrospun Scaffold for Hyperthermia Treatment
Tamás Veres1, Constantinos Voniatis1,2, Kristóf Molnár1
1Laboratory of Nanochemistry, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 14, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new implantable membrane infused with magnetic nanoparticles for long-term cancer hyperthermia and MRI contrast. This biodegradable scaffold overcomes nanoparticle diffusion issues, enabling sustained treatment delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Superparamagnetic nanoparticles offer hyperthermia and MRI contrast but suffer from diffusion, limiting treatment duration.
- Continuous application of magnetic nanoparticles is crucial for multi-week cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize an implantable, biodegradable membrane infused with magnetite nanoparticles.
- To enable long-term magnetic hyperthermia and MRI contrast agent capabilities.
- To immobilize magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) within a hydrogel scaffold.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of polysuccinimide (PSI) fibers followed by crosslinking.
- Synthesis of MIONs within and between PSI fibers using co-precipitation.
- Characterization using ATR-FTIR and SQUID; in vivo testing for biocompatibility, biodegradability, and MRI contrast in rats.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of MIONs within hydrogel fibers confirmed by ATR-FTIR and SQUID.
- Significant magnetic hyperthermia effect: 5°C rise in <2 min, sustained over 5 days.
- Excellent in vivo MRI contrast and minimal acute inflammation observed in short-term studies.
Conclusions:
- The developed membrane effectively immobilizes MIONs, providing sustained magnetic hyperthermia and MRI contrast.
- The biodegradable scaffold shows promise for long-term, localized cancer treatment.
- The material demonstrates good biocompatibility and MRI capabilities in vivo.
