Thermosensitive nanostructure for hyperthermia treatment

Abstract

A thermosensitive nanostructure for hyperthermia treatment. Magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated in a thermosensitive polymer nanostructure having a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of about 40-45° C. The thermosensitive polymer nanostructure may carry a drug. When the magnetic nanoparticles are heated to 40-45° C. by application of an alternating magnetic field in hyperthermia treatment, the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure collapses to release the drug, thus providing concurrent drug treatment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a thermosensitive nanostructure according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a thermosensitive nanostructure according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of collapse of the thermosensitive nanostructure when subjected to an alternating magnetic field in hyperthermia treatment;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the particle size of PEG-PLGA-PEG of Example 1 and temperature;

FIG. 5 is a TEM micrograph of PEG-PLGA-PEG of Example 1 with encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the particle size of polyNiPAAm-co-AA of Example 4 and temperature;

FIG. 7 is a TEM micrograph of polyNiPAAm-co-AA of Example 4 with encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles;

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the particle size of polyNiPAAm-co-AA of Example 5 and temperature; and

FIG. 9 is a TEM micrograph of polyNiPAAm-co-AA of Example 5 with encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles.

Claims

1. A thermosensitive nanostructure for hyperthermia treatment, comprising a thermosensitive polymer nanostructure having a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of about 40-45° C.; andmagnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure.

2. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure comprises diblock copolymer, triblock copolymer, or latex.

3. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure comprises thermosensitive polymer nanoparticles.

4. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure comprises a micelle composed of copolymers having critical micelle concentration (CMC) behavior.

5. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure has a diameter between about 10 and 300 nm.

6. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure is provided with hydroxyl, amine, or carboxyl groups.

7. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure is grafted with a ligand.

8. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drug encapsulated in the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure, wherein the drug is released during hyperthermia treatment.

9. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a NO donor encapsulated in the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure.

10. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

11. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure increases r2 value of the magnetic nanoparticles.

12. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure increases specific absorption rate (SAR) of the magnetic nanoparticles.

13. The thermosensitive nanostructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosensitive polymer nanostructure has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of about 42-45° C.