Nanotechnology and cancer
January 26, 2011
In the last few years, nanotechnology has gained in popularity. Particularly, in cancer research, where it holds great promise for the development of targeted, localized delivery of anticancer drugs, in which only cancer cells are affected. Nowadays, anticancer drugs are distributed through the whole body, damaging healthy cells as well as cancerous ones.
Researchers at UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have carried out a study where they demonstrate that mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), tiny particles with thousands of pores, can store and deliver chemotherapeutic drugs in vivo and effectively suppress tumors in mice.
The study also showed that MSNs circulate in the bloodstream for extended periods of time and accumulate almost exclusively in tumors after administration and that the nanoparticles are excreted from the body after they have delivered their chemotherapeutic drugs.According to the researchers, the tumor accumulation could be further improved by attaching a targeting moiety to MSNs.
There is still a long way to go before this technology can be used in humans, with safety tests and many more studies to follow in different animal models, but so far, the results are very positive.
MR/PET combined scanner
November 21, 2010
PET/CT is a reality nowadays. PET provides functional information, while CT gives high resolution morphological information. The combination of both in one image perfectly aligned is highly important for a more accurate disease assessment. However, CT gives poor detail of soft-tissue and it involves a considerable amount of radiation, which means that MR/PET would be of high relevance. Having said that, it seemed to be nearly impossible to integrate MR and PET technologies: the conventional PET detectors, which use photomultiplier tubes, could not be used in the strong magnetic field generated by an MR system. Integration was further limited by the lack of space inside the MR device. Those difficulties seem to be part of the past, according to Siemens.
Biograph mMR Whole-Body Integrated MR-PET System is currently undergoing clinical use testing (not commercially available yet – no 510k yet).
Themed imaging suites
November 15, 2010
Any radiographer can tell how challenging is to image children. X-ray, CT or MR imaging scans require patient’s cooperation in order to get good images.This is not always easy. Children are specially difficult, mainly because they are scared of the whole procedure. Therefore different pediatric hospitals in the UK have started a new concept: the themed imaging suites.
According to Dana Etzel-Hardman, an advanced practice nurse in Children’s Hospital’s radiology department, a thematic room adds to the distraction techniques employed to try to increase productivity of the CT scanner and decrease the number of sedations required for the patients having CT exams. The number of children requiring sedation for a CT scan has declined and the waiting lists too.
Imaging vendors are now working together with children’s hospitals to create themed imaging suites. For more information, check the article aunt minnie
