A research group of scientists from NUST MISIS, the Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, the University of Duisburg-Essen, and the University of Oldenburg has developed a new system that will allow doctors to improve the accuracy of diagnosing malignant cells. It will also help provide additional opportunities for cancer treatment. The main element of this new system is the magnetoferritin compound. The research was published recently in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
The lack of accuracy (contrast) in imaging is quite a problem for non-invasive diagnosis. “Contrast agents”, which are compounds that are introduced into the body before diagnosis so that they enhance the response of the cells and make these affected cells more visible on a tomograph. Paramagnetic gadolinium particles and superparamagnetic iron particles are some of these contrast agents. But sometimes, even if they are present in small quantities, these substances – which are alien to the human body – can potentially be dangerous.
“The international research team, including Dr. Ulf Wiedwald, a visiting Professor at the NUST MISIS Biomedical Nanomaterials Laboratory, has developed a unique injection diagnosis system based on magnetoferritin. The developed system will significantly improve the quality of MRIs and optical diagnosis”, said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.
Magnetoferritin is a compound that consists of endogenous human protein (ferritin) and a magnetic nucleus. The research team first developed and tested the compound which followed the existing protocol for the synthesis of magnetoferritin, but then improved it for the effective capture of tumor cells. High concentration of magnetoferritin in tumor tissue makes it possible to obtain a suitable hypoallergenic contrast agent which is also compatible with the human body.
“An intravenous injection of magnetoferritin has been proposed. Then, spreading with the blood flow, [the magnetoferritin] will be captured by the targeted tumor cells. As has been shown in a large number of studies, these cells actively capture transferrin – the protein responsible for transport of iron in blood. The same receptors are capable of capturing magnetoferritin as well. Once they get into the lysosomes of targeted cells, the magnetoferritin will further enhance the contrast signal”, added Dr. Wiedwald.
This new system will help doctors to conduct therapy on tumor formations. Cancerous cells can be easily identified and targeted by an electromagnetic field or light, which will lead to their subsequent heating and death.