Multimodal Theranostic Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles (MT-SPIONs) for Imaging and Drug Delivery in the Brain

Abstract

The impenetrable blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major challenge in delivering drugs to the brain for the treatment of neurological disorders. Encapsulating drug in a polymeric nanoparticle that is functionalized to cross the BBB confers protection and stability of the drug, while ensuring transport across the BBB and specific targeting to diseased regions. Further, by co-encapsulating imaging agents for MRI contrast or optical imaging, one can create a nano-vehicle that can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this work, multimodal theranostic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MT-SPIONS) were created using a novel one-step method, Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP). The MT-SPION developed comprised oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles in a poly(lactic acid) matrix with a poly(ethylene glycol) corona to prolong blood circulation time. The particles exhibited resistance to size changes, magnetic tunability with SPION loading weight percent and potential for drug encapsulation. Further work needs to be done to graft a BBB-targeting moiety to the surface and test the MT-SPION’s ability to penetrate the brain, releasing drug to the targeted area of disease.