Functional and biocompatible polymeric nanopatricels for targetted PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors.

• Main Author: Singh Medha.
• Other Authors: Liu Quan
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/54338
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Polymeric nanoparticles are currently being exploited because of their ability to incorporate multifunctionality and ease of synthesis in different volumes, architectures and physical/chemical properties. They can be adorned with molecules and polymeric chains which not only sterically protect them from opsonization, but also equip them with active targeting, improving overall specificity for diagnostic imaging. We have utilized reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization for the synthesis of the biocompatible and functional polymeric nanoparticles for positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging of neuroendocrine tumor cells. The novel monomer, 4-methyl methacrylate [2- (2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzoic acid was copolymerized with oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate to render it hydrophilic with polydispersity index (PDI) in the range of (1.23-1.60). The polymer was then successfully functionalized for incorporating N-Hydroxy succinimide(NHS) activated ester for peptide conjugation. The nanoparticles obtained after incorporating DOTA chelator for radionuclide encapsulation had low polydispersity index (0.128-0.326) and hydrodynamic diameter (by intensity) in the range of 20 nm- 35 nm. These novel DOTA-functional polymeric nanoparticles aimed at improving targeted visualization of tumor cells after successful peptide conjugation have potential to improve cancer management, drug dosage and radiotherapy regimes of the patients.