Micro-CT imaging of multiple K-edge elements using GaAs and CdTe photon counting detectors.

Objective.To evaluate the performance of two photon-counting (PC) detectors based on different detector materials, gallium arsenide (GaAs) and cadmium telluride (CdTe), for PC micro-CT imaging of phantoms with multiple contrast materials. Another objective is to determine if combining these two detectors in the same micro-CT system can offer higher spectral performance and significant artifact reduction compared to a single detector system.Approach. We have constructed a dual-detector, micro-CT system equipped with two PCDs based on different detector materials: gallium arsenide (GaAs) and cadmium telluride (CdTe). We demonstrate the performance of these detectors for PC micro-CT imaging of phantoms with up to 5 contrast materials with K-edges spread across the x-ray spectrum ranging from iodine with a K-edge at 33.2 keV to bismuth with a K-edge at 90.5 keV. We also demonstrate the use of our system to image a mouse prepared with both iodine and bismuth contrast agents to target different biological systems.Main results.When using the same dose and scan parameters, GaAs shows increased low energy (<50 keV) spectral sensitivity and specificity compared to CdTe. However, GaAs performance at high energies suffers from spectral artifacts and has comparatively low photon counts indicating wasted radiation dose. We demonstrate that combining a GaAs-based and a CdTe-based PC detector in the same micro-CT system offers higher spectral performance and significant artifact reduction compared to a single detector system.Significance.More accurate PC micro-CT using a GaAs PCD alone or in combination with a CdTe PCD could serve for developing new contrast agents such as nanoparticles that show promise in the developing field of theranostics (therapy and diagnostics).

Delivery of drugs into brain tumors using multicomponent silica nanoparticles.

Glioblastomas are highly lethal cancers defined by resistance to conventional therapies and rapid recurrence. While new brain tumor cell-specific drugs are continuously becoming available, efficient drug delivery to brain tumors remains a limiting factor. We developed a multicomponent nanoparticle, consisting of an iron oxide core and a mesoporous silica shell that can effectively deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier into glioma cells. When exposed to alternating low-power radiofrequency (RF) fields, the nanoparticle's mechanical tumbling releases the entrapped drug molecules from the pores of the silica shell. After directing the nanoparticle to target the near-perivascular regions and altered endothelium of the brain tumor via fibronectin-targeting ligands, rapid drug release from the nanoparticles is triggered by RF facilitating wide distribution of drug delivery across the blood-brain tumor interface.

Functional imaging of tumor vasculature using iodine and gadolinium-based nanoparticle contrast agents: a comparison of spectral micro-CT using energy integrating and photon counting detectors.

Advances in computed tomography (CT) hardware have propelled the development of novel CT contrast agents. In particular, the spectral capabilities of x-ray CT can facilitate simultaneous imaging of multiple contrast agents. This approach is particularly useful for functional imaging of solid tumors by simultaneous visualization of multiple targets or architectural features that govern cancer development and progression. Nanoparticles are a promising platform for contrast agent development. While several novel imaging moieties based on high atomic number elements are being explored, iodine (I) and gadolinium (Gd) are particularly attractive because of their existing approval for clinical use. In this work, we investigate the in vivo discrimination of I and Gd nanoparticle contrast agents using both dual energy micro-CT with energy integrating detectors (DE-EID) and photon counting detector (PCD)-based spectral micro-CT. Simulations and phantom experiments were performed using varying concentrations of I and Gd to determine the imaging performance with optimized acquisition parameters. Quantitative spectral micro-CT imaging using liposomal-iodine (Lip-I) and liposomal-Gd (Lip-Gd) nanoparticle contrast agents was performed in sarcoma bearing mice for anatomical and functional imaging of tumor vasculature. Iterative reconstruction provided high sensitivity to detect and discriminate relatively low I and Gd concentrations. According to the Rose criterion applied to the experimental results, the detectability limits for I and Gd were approximately 2.5 mg ml-1 for both DE-EID CT and PCD micro-CT, even if the radiation dose was approximately 3.8 times lower with PCD micro-CT. The material concentration maps confirmed expected biodistributions of contrast agents in the blood, liver, spleen and kidneys. The PCD provided lower background signal and better simultaneous visualization of tumor vasculature and intratumoral distribution patterns of nanoparticle contrast agent compared to DE-EID decompositions. Preclinical spectral CT systems such as this could be useful for functional characterization of solid tumors, simultaneous quantitative imaging of multiple targets and for identifying clinically-relevant applications that benefit from the use of spectral imaging. Additionally, it could aid in the development nanoparticles that show promise in the developing field of cancer theranostics (therapy and diagnostics) by measuring vascular tumor biomarkers such as fractional blood volume and the delivery of liposomal chemotherapeutics.

Treatment of glioblastoma using multicomponent silica nanoparticles.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) remain highly lethal. This partially stems from the presence of brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs), a highly plastic cellular subpopulation that is resistant to current therapies. In addition to resistance, the blood-brain barrier limits the penetration of most drugs into GBMs. To effectively deliver a BTIC-specific inhibitor to brain tumors, we developed a multicomponent nanoparticle, termed Fe@MSN, which contains a mesoporous silica shell and an iron oxide core. Fibronectin-targeting ligands directed the nanoparticle to the near-perivascular areas of GBM. After Fe@MSN particles deposited in the tumor, an external low-power radiofrequency (RF) field triggered rapid drug release due to mechanical tumbling of the particle resulting in penetration of high amounts of drug across the blood-brain tumor interface and widespread drug delivery into the GBM. We loaded the nanoparticle with the drug 1400W, which is a potent inhibitor of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). It has been shown that iNOS is preferentially expressed in BTICs and is required for their maintenance. Using the 1400W-loaded Fe@MSN and RF-triggered release, in vivo studies indicated that the treatment disrupted the BTIC population in hypoxic niches, suppressed tumor growth and significantly increased survival in BTIC-derived GBM xenografts.

High-resolution vascular imaging of the rat spine using liposomal blood pool MR agent.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High-resolution, vascular MR imaging of the spine region in small animals poses several challenges. The small anatomic features, extravascular diffusion, and low signal-to-noise ratio limit the use of conventional contrast agents. We hypothesize that a long-circulating, intravascular liposomal-encapsulated MR contrast agent (liposomal-Gd) would facilitate visualization of small anatomic features of the perispinal vasculature not visible with conventional contrast agent (gadolinium-diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid [Gd-DTPA]). METHODS: In this study, high-resolution MR angiography of the spine region was performed in a rat model using a liposomal-Gd, which is known to remain within the blood pool for an extended period. The imaging characteristics of this agent were compared with those of a conventional contrast agent, Gd-DTPA. RESULTS: The liposomal-Gd enabled acquisition of high quality angiograms with high signal-to-noise ratio. Several important vascular features, such as radicular arteries, posterior spinal vein, and epidural venous plexus were visualized in the angiograms obtained with the liposomal agent. The MR angiograms obtained with conventional Gd-DTPA did not demonstrate these vessels clearly because of marked extravascular soft-tissue enhancement that obscured the vasculature. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the potential benefit of long-circulating liposomal-Gd as a MR contrast agent for high-resolution vascular imaging applications.