Abstract

Controlled dispersion of therapeutic agents within liquid- and gel-filled cavities represents a barrier to treatment of some cancers and other pathological states. Interstitial delivery is compromised by the poor mobility of macromolecules and larger nanoscale structures. We developed an in vitro system to quantify the suitability of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPM NPs) as a site-specific therapeutic vehicle for delivery through fluid- and gel-based systems. SPM NP motion was induced by an external magnetic field. NP migration was modulated by NP concentration and surface coating. 135 nanometer radius PEGylated NPs moved through the extracellular matrix with an average velocity of 1.5.mm h -1, suitable for some clinical applications. Increasing the SPM NP radius to 400 nm while maintaining the same per NP magnetic susceptibility resulted in a greater than 1000-fold reduction in magnetic mobility, to less than 0.01 mm h -1. The critical influence of NP size on gel permeation was also observed in silica-coated 135 nm SPM NPs that aggregated under the experimental conditions. Aggregation played a critical role in determining the behavior of the nanoparticles. SPM NPs allow significant free-solution mobility to specific sites within a cavity and generate sufficient force to penetrate common in vivo gels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)51-58
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of biomedical engineering
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006

Keywords

  • Aggregation
  • Cancer
  • Cavity
  • Drug Delivery
  • Film
  • Gel
  • Gene Therapy
  • In vitro
  • Magnetic
  • Mass Transfer
  • Peritoneum
  • Spine

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