This could improve the doctors' efficiency

Apr 30, 2010 10:53 GMT  ·  By
Special nanoparticles, called nanocomposites, hold great promise for improving the outcomes of brain surgery, a new investigation from researchers at OSU shows
   Special nanoparticles, called nanocomposites, hold great promise for improving the outcomes of brain surgery, a new investigation from researchers at OSU shows

Whenever brain surgeons perform an operation, they rely on data obtained through various medical imaging methods to determine the best course of action. However, in some instances, the resolution of the available data leaves a lot to be desired, as some tumors are not readily visible on scans. In a bid to improve surgeons' awareness of what they are doing, and ultimately save more lives, researchers at the Ohio State University (OSU) have developed a new type of nanoparticle that can be used as a marker for highlighting tumors more efficiently.

Using the tiny structures, medical bioengineers will be able to better evidence tumors, especially in scans conducted using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The nanoparticles developed at OSU will in the near future be injected directly into the bloodstreams of patients suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma. The disease progresses very fast, and has a very small survival rate. Removing all of the tumor is absolutely essential for increasing sufferers' chances of survival, but poor MRI data often leads neurosurgeons to miss bits of it, promoting relapses.

“Our strategy is combining two particles that contain different properties to make one particle with multiple properties,” says OSU assistant professor in chemical, biomolecular engineering, and biomedical engineering, Jessica Winter. The particles the team created represent a very special class of compounds known as nanocomposites. These structures are both fluorescent (like regular biological markers) and magnetic, averaging a size of about 20 nanometers. Because the particles are magnetic, the color contrasts visible on scans are significantly improved, which means tumors are more visible.

“We're trying to develop a single nanocomposite that's magnetic – so you can do preoperative MRI – and that's fluorescent – so that when neurological surgeons go into surgery, they can shine a light on the tumor and it will glow a specific color such as green, for example. Then, the surgeon can simply remove all of the green. With traditional magnetic contrasting agents, you'll get an MRI, but you won't see anything during surgery,” Winter adds. She explains that the fluorescent particle should change the color of the physical tumor as seen directly by surgeons, when subjected to a special kind of light.