Neutron Activated 153Sm Sealed in Carbon Nanocapsules for in Vivo Imaging and Tumor Radiotherapy
- Julie T.-W. WangJulie T.-W. WangInstitute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United KingdomMore by Julie T.-W. Wang
- Rebecca KlippsteinRebecca KlippsteinInstitute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United KingdomMore by Rebecca Klippstein
- Markus MartincicMarkus MartincicInstitut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, SpainMore by Markus Martincic
- Elzbieta PachElzbieta PachCatalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, SpainMore by Elzbieta Pach
- Robert FeldmanRobert FeldmanCis Bio International Ion Beam Applications SA, Gif sur Yvette 91192, FranceMore by Robert Feldman
- Martin ŠeflMartin ŠeflMedical Physics Laboratory, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina 45110, GreeceFaculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague 11519, Czech RepublicMore by Martin Šefl
- Yves MichelYves MichelCis Bio International Ion Beam Applications SA, Gif sur Yvette 91192, FranceMore by Yves Michel
- Daniel AskerDaniel AskerInstitute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United KingdomMore by Daniel Asker
- Jane K. SosabowskiJane K. SosabowskiCentre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United KingdomMore by Jane K. Sosabowski
- Martin KalbacMartin KalbacJ. Heyrovsky Institute of the Physical Chemistry, Dolejskova 3, 182 23 Prague 8, Czech RepublicMore by Martin Kalbac
- Tatiana Da RosTatiana Da RosINSTM Unit of Trieste, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, ItalyMore by Tatiana Da Ros
- Cécilia Ménard-MoyonCécilia Ménard-MoyonCNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, University of Strasbourg, UPR 3572, 67000 Strasbourg, FranceMore by Cécilia Ménard-Moyon
- Alberto BiancoAlberto BiancoCNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, University of Strasbourg, UPR 3572, 67000 Strasbourg, FranceMore by Alberto Bianco
- Ioanna KyriakouIoanna KyriakouMedical Physics Laboratory, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina 45110, GreeceMore by Ioanna Kyriakou
- Dimitris EmfietzoglouDimitris EmfietzoglouMedical Physics Laboratory, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina 45110, GreeceMore by Dimitris Emfietzoglou
- Jean-Claude SaccaviniJean-Claude SaccaviniCis Bio International Ion Beam Applications SA, Gif sur Yvette 91192, FranceMore by Jean-Claude Saccavini
- Belén Ballesteros*Belén Ballesteros*E-mail: [email protected].Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, SpainMore by Belén Ballesteros
- Khuloud T. Al-Jamal*Khuloud T. Al-Jamal*E-mail: [email protected].Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United KingdomMore by Khuloud T. Al-Jamal
- Gerard Tobias*Gerard Tobias*E-mail: [email protected].Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, SpainMore by Gerard Tobias
Abstract

Radiation therapy along with chemotherapy and surgery remain the main cancer treatments. Radiotherapy can be applied to patients externally (external beam radiotherapy) or internally (brachytherapy and radioisotope therapy). Previously, nanoencapsulation of radioactive crystals within carbon nanotubes, followed by end-closing, resulted in the formation of nanocapsules that allowed ultrasensitive imaging in healthy mice. Herein we report on the preparation of nanocapsules initially sealing “cold” isotopically enriched samarium (152Sm), which can then be activated on demand to their “hot” radioactive form (153Sm) by neutron irradiation. The use of “cold” isotopes avoids the need for radioactive facilities during the preparation of the nanocapsules, reduces radiation exposure to personnel, prevents the generation of nuclear waste, and evades the time constraints imposed by the decay of radionuclides. A very high specific radioactivity is achieved by neutron irradiation (up to 11.37 GBq/mg), making the “hot” nanocapsules useful not only for in vivo imaging but also therapeutically effective against lung cancer metastases after intravenous injection. The high in vivo stability of the radioactive payload, selective toxicity to cancerous tissues, and the elegant preparation method offer a paradigm for application of nanomaterials in radiotherapy.




