Journal of interdisciplinary nanomedicine最新文献

The size-dependent optical properties of quantum dots (QDs) are frequently exploited for use in medical imaging and labelling applications. Similarly, presented here, they also elicit profound size-dependent anticoagulant properties. Cadmium telluride quantum dot (QDs) (3.2 nm) were shown to have a dramatic anticoagulant effect centred on around the intrinsic coagulation pathway, compared to their 3.6 nm counterparts. Several clinically relevant diagnostic tests were carried out over a concentration range of the QDs and demonstrated that the 3.2 nm QDs elicited their response on the intrinsic pathway as a whole, yet the activity of the individual intrinsic coagulation factors was not affected. The mechanism appears also to be strongly influenced by the concentration of calcium ions and not cadmium ions leached from the QDs. Static and shear-based primary haemostasis assays were also carried out, demonstrating a profound anticoagulant effect which was independent of platelets and phospholipids. The data presented here suggest that the physical–chemical properties of the QDs may have a role in the modulation of haemostasis and the coagulation cascade, in a yet not fully understood mechanism. This study has implications for the use of similar QDs as diagnostic or therapeutic tools in vivo, and for the occupational health and safety of those working with such materials.

The application of nanotechnology in health care is widely accepted as a potential driver of biomedical innovation. By exploiting their unique physicochemical properties, nanomedicines can monitor, repair, and control biological systems in order to address diseases for which currently no or only insufficient diagnostic and therapeutic tools are available. Nevertheless, the opportunities of nanotechnologies in the health sector are accompanied by challenges in the regulation of these products. Sufficient knowledge on their quality, safety, and efficacy must be gained and standardised methods must be made available to support the regulatory decision making and allow a smooth translation towards clinical applications. We have conducted a survey among regulatory authorities with the aim to obtain a general overview on the status and regulatory needs of nanomedicines and to indicate some trends on future requirements. The outcome has demonstrated strong regional differences in the regulation of nanomedicines and confirmed the need for the harmonisation of information requirements on nano-specific properties. In addition, a number of critical physicochemical properties that have already been proposed in the scientific literature were verified in the survey as relevant for regulatory decision making. Finally, the survey has demonstrated an interest of regulatory agencies in an independent nanomedicine characterisation facility that can support regulators in the evaluation of these systems and at the same time assess the performance of existing and new test methods for their application to the field of nanomedicine.

Cancer targeting can be used for both tumor diagnosis and therapy. Recently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found utility in this field as they are very small in size, and thus display an enhanced permeability and retention effect, allowing them to be taken up by tumor cells through “passive targeting.” However, this accumulation is non-specific. Conversely, AuNPs functionalized with targeting entities such as peptides, antibodies, or small molecules can specifically target tumors through interaction with cancer-specific protein receptors. In this study, targeted AuNPs were developed using an azide-modified peptide that was able to react with alkyne-functionalized AuNPs through an interfacial strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Small (3 nm) AuNPs were made water-soluble through PEGylation and functionalized with dibenzocyclooctyne to add the alkyne functionality. For the targeting entity, a pan-bombesin peptide ([D-Phe⁶,β-Ala¹¹,Phe¹³,Nle¹⁴]bombesin(6–14)) was chosen as it binds to all four receptor subtypes of the gastrin releasing peptide receptor, which is highly expressed in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer (PC-3) cells were incubated with the targeted AuNPs and studied via transmission electron microscopy. AuNPs conjugated with bombesin showed higher accumulation in PC-3 cells than either the blocking or control studies. These results suggest that these small, water-soluble, bombesin-functionalized AuNPs have potential applications in targeting prostate cancer as diagnostic or therapeutic entities.

The antiretroviral drug efavirenz displays many desirable pharmacokinetic properties such as a long half-life enabling once daily dosing but suffers from central nervous system safety issues. Various nanotechnologies have been explored to mitigate some of the limitations with efavirenz. While there has been progress in increasing the bioavailability, there has been no attempt to assess the impact of increased exposure to efavirenz on central nervous system safety. The uptake of aqueous and solid drug nanoparticle (SDN) formulations of efavirenz was assessed in the human cerebral microvessel endothelial cells/D3 brain endothelial cell line. The mechanisms of uptake were probed using a panel of transport and endocytosis inhibitors. The cellular accumulation of an efavirenz aqueous solution was significantly reduced by amantadine, but this was not observed with SDNs. The uptake of efavirenz SDNs was reduced by dynasore, but concentrations of the efavirenz aqueous solution were not affected. These data indicate that efavirenz is a substrate for transporters in brain endothelial cells (amantadine is an inhibitor of organic cation transporters 1 and 2), and formation of SDNs may bypass this interaction in favour of a mechanism involving dynamin-mediated endocytosis.

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S001 The British Society for Nanomedicine

Speaker: Professor R. Steven Conlan

Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

Abstract: With the global benefits of the new science of nanomedicine growing each year, the British Society for Nanomedicine enables open access for industry, academia, clinicians and the public to news and details of ongoing research throughout the UK. Our mission includes the direct explanation of the ongoing science and commercial developments to allow the public to understand and stay in touch with this exciting area as it impacts future global healthcare. The British Society for Nanomedicine runs the Journal of Interdisciplinary Nanomedicine (JOIN), an international peer-reviewed academic journal that aims to report truly interdisciplinary nanomedicine research. The British Society for Nanomedicine represents UK nanomedicine interests at a UK, EU and International level including the ETP nanomedicine, and European national nanomedicines platform. The British Society for Nanomedicine is proud to welcome you to ENM17 in London.

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S002 The French Society for Nanomedicine (SFNano)

Speaker: Dr Nathalie Mignet

University Paris Descartes, CNRS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Paris, France

Abstract: The French Society for Nanomedicine (SFNano) is a non-lucrative association whose objectives are to favour progress and knowledge diffusion in the Nanomedicine domain. For these purposes, SFNano organises seminars, workshops and discussions in order to favour a french network, and broader, in collaboration with European nanomedicine societies. SFNano has more than 300 members.

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S003 Spanish Platform for Nanomedicine (NanoMed Spain)

Speaker: Dr. Teresa Sanchis

Spanish Platform for Nanomedicine (NanoMed Spain) – Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Baldiri Reixach 1008028, Barcelona, (Spain)

Abstract: The Spanish Platform for Nanomedicine (NanoMed Spain - http://nanomedspain.net/) is a forum that brings together 150 public research centres, hospitals, companies and government representatives active in nanomedicine. Nanomed Spain is an instrument to coordinate entities involved in R&D+i, fundamental to the transfer of results to industry and the health system in this highly multidisciplinary field. It is also a means of connection to facilitate the internationalization of initiatives and projects, with the aim of improving the competitiveness of Spanish companies in this emerging field.

Industry in the biomedical and biotechnology sector plays a leading role in the Platform, very actively supported by technology centers, research organizations, universities and hospitals, as well as by national public administration.

The mission of Nanomed Spain is to promote and facilitate public-private partnerships in research and