In vivo biodistribution studies and ex vivo lymph node imaging using heavy metal-free quantum dots

Elnaz Yaghini; Helen D. Turner; Alix M. Le Marois; Klaus Suhling; Imad Naasani; Alexander J. MacRobert

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.07.014

In vivo biodistribution studies and ex vivo lymph node imaging using heavy metal-free quantum dots

Elnaz Yaghini^*, Helen D. Turner, Alix M. Le Marois, Klaus Suhling, Imad Naasani, Alexander J. MacRobert

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are attractive photoluminescence probes for biomedical imaging due to their unique photophysical properties. However, the potential toxicity of QDs has remained a major obstacle to their clinical use because they commonly incorporate the toxic heavy metal cadmium within the core of the QDs. In this work, we have evaluated a novel type of heavy metal-free/cadmium-free and biocompatible QD nanoparticles (bio CFQD^® nanoparticles) with a good photoluminescence quantum yield. Sentinel lymph node mapping is an increasingly important treatment option in the management of breast cancer. We have demonstrated their potential for lymph node mapping by ex vivo imaging of regional lymph nodes after subcutaneous injection in the paw of rats. Using photoluminescence imaging and chemical extraction measurements based on elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, the quantum dots are shown to accumulate quickly and selectively in the axillary and thoracic regional lymph nodes. In addition, lifetime imaging microscopy of the QD photoluminescence indicates minimal perturbation to their photoluminescence properties in biological systems.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	182-191
Number of pages	10
Journal	Biomaterials
Volume	104
Early online date	12 Jul 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.07.014
Publication status	Published - Oct 2016

Keywords

Breast cancer
Heavy metal-free quantum dots
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology
Photoluminescence
Sentinel lymph node

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In vivo biodistribution studies_YAGHINI_Accepted 10July2016_GOLD VoRFinal published version, 2.21 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "In vivo biodistribution studies and ex vivo lymph node imaging using heavy metal-free quantum dots",

abstract = "Quantum dots (QDs) are attractive photoluminescence probes for biomedical imaging due to their unique photophysical properties. However, the potential toxicity of QDs has remained a major obstacle to their clinical use because they commonly incorporate the toxic heavy metal cadmium within the core of the QDs. In this work, we have evaluated a novel type of heavy metal-free/cadmium-free and biocompatible QD nanoparticles (bio CFQD{\textregistered} nanoparticles) with a good photoluminescence quantum yield. Sentinel lymph node mapping is an increasingly important treatment option in the management of breast cancer. We have demonstrated their potential for lymph node mapping by ex vivo imaging of regional lymph nodes after subcutaneous injection in the paw of rats. Using photoluminescence imaging and chemical extraction measurements based on elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, the quantum dots are shown to accumulate quickly and selectively in the axillary and thoracic regional lymph nodes. In addition, lifetime imaging microscopy of the QD photoluminescence indicates minimal perturbation to their photoluminescence properties in biological systems.",

keywords = "Breast cancer, Heavy metal-free quantum dots, Nanoparticles, Nanotechnology, Photoluminescence, Sentinel lymph node",

author = "Elnaz Yaghini and Turner, {Helen D.} and {Le Marois}, {Alix M.} and Klaus Suhling and Imad Naasani and MacRobert, {Alexander J.}",

year = "2016",

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AU - Yaghini, Elnaz

AU - Turner, Helen D.

AU - Le Marois, Alix M.

AU - Suhling, Klaus

AU - Naasani, Imad

AU - MacRobert, Alexander J.

PY - 2016/10

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AB - Quantum dots (QDs) are attractive photoluminescence probes for biomedical imaging due to their unique photophysical properties. However, the potential toxicity of QDs has remained a major obstacle to their clinical use because they commonly incorporate the toxic heavy metal cadmium within the core of the QDs. In this work, we have evaluated a novel type of heavy metal-free/cadmium-free and biocompatible QD nanoparticles (bio CFQD® nanoparticles) with a good photoluminescence quantum yield. Sentinel lymph node mapping is an increasingly important treatment option in the management of breast cancer. We have demonstrated their potential for lymph node mapping by ex vivo imaging of regional lymph nodes after subcutaneous injection in the paw of rats. Using photoluminescence imaging and chemical extraction measurements based on elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, the quantum dots are shown to accumulate quickly and selectively in the axillary and thoracic regional lymph nodes. In addition, lifetime imaging microscopy of the QD photoluminescence indicates minimal perturbation to their photoluminescence properties in biological systems.

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