Recent preclinical and clinical results have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of nanoparticle-amplified radiation therapy. In parallel, MR-guided radiation therapy is an emerging paradigm that would benefit from specific contrast agents. This Academic- Industrial Partnership will leverage these current trends by designing, developing and rigorously testing a novel nanoparticle for MR-guided radiation therapy. Our supporting data consists of extensive physical and biological characterization of gadolinium and bismuth-gadolinium based nanoparticles, including in vivo biodistribution, imaging and therapy results in multiple tumor models. In this project, we will develop and optimize a direct high-yield synthesis process for bismuth-gadolinium nanoparticles and perform extensive toxicity and therapy evaluation in a translational model under clinical delivery schedules and conditions. Our innovative and highly translatable imaging and therapy concept is compatible with current and emerging clinical practice and could offer a substantial clinical benefit with minimal patient risk.
The goal of this project is the improvement of cancer therapy by employing nanoparticles as image contrast and radiation therapy amplifying agents. The nanoparticles are visible in magnetic resonance imaging and provide a boost of extra energy to their immediate surroundings during therapeutic irradiation. The preferential killing of cancer cells in the tumor will lead greater tumor shrinkage and longer overall survival relative to radiation treatment alone.
