Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Noninvasive optical imaging to investigate the passive distribution of polymeric nanocarriers in vivo

2^nd International Conference on Nanotek and Expo

December 3-5, 2012 DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, USA

Yashveer Singh

Accepted Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechol

Abstract:

The tumor distribution and breast duct retention of polymeric nanocarriers were assessed in vivo using noninvasive optical imaging. To measure tumor distribution due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, fluorescein-labeled PEG nanocarriers of different molecular weights were prepared and administered intravenously to female balb/c mice bearing subcutaneous 4T1 tumors. The tumor distributions were measured noninvasively using an In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS). The nanocarriers exhibited higher distribution in tumor than the control site, and the distribution was found to be molecular weight dependent. The nanocarriers with molecular weight close to or above the renal threshold showed significantly higher tumor distribution than those below it. A similar method was used to investigate the breast duct retention of nanocarriers. Fluorescein- labeled PEG nanocarriers of different molecular weights and shapes were intraductally administered to female Sprague?Dawley rats and whole body images were obtained noninvasively on an IVIS. Fluorescence intensities (i.e., amount remaining in duct) were plotted against time to estimate the nanocarriers ductal retention half-lives (t 1/2 ). The nanocarriers exhibited higher t 1/2 in comparison to unmodified fluorescein, and both polymer molecular weight and structure were found to influence the ductal retention. The biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies were in agreement with noninvasive studies. Thus, noninvasive optical imaging provides a reliable and rapid method for the initial screening of nanocarrier distribution pharmacokinetics. The present studies will aid in the design and development of polymeric imaging and drug delivery systems for tumor targeting and intraductal delivery.

Biography :

Yashveer Singh is an Assistant Research Professor at the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. He received his PhD degree from the University of Allahabad and did postdoctoral research at the Indian Institute of Science, Joseph Fourier University, and Rutgers University. He has published about 25 research papers and review articles in peer-reviewed journals. He is Assistant Editor of the sixth edition of Martins Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences textbook and serves as editorial board member for the Journal of Nanomedicine and Biotherapeutic Discovery