Core-satellite nanocomposites for mri and photothermal therapy

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, compositions, systems, and kits comprising core-satellite nanocomposites useful for photothermal and/or MRI applications (e.g., tumor treatment and/or imaging). In certain embodiments, the core-satellite nanocomposites comprise: i) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core, and ii) at least one satellite component attached to, or absorbed to, the biocompatible coating. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle core and satellite component are composed of near-infrared photothermal agent material and/or MRI contrast agent material. In further embodiments, the satellite component is additionally or alternatively composed of near-infrared optical dye material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating and/or imaging at least one tumor in a subject comprising:
 a) administering to a subject a composition comprising core-satellite nanocomposites,   wherein said subject comprises at least one tumor,   wherein said core-satellite nanocomposites individually comprise:
 i) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core, wherein said nanoparticle core comprises a first type of material selected from: near-infrared photothermal agent material and MRI contrast agent material, and 
 ii) at least one satellite component attached to, or absorbed to, said biocompatible coating, wherein said at least one satellite component comprises a second type of material selected from: said near-infrared photothermal agent material, said MRI contrast agent material, and near-infrared optical dye material, and 
   wherein said treating is under conditions such that at least a portion of said core-satellite nanocomposites infiltrate said at least one tumor; and   b) subjecting said subject to photothermal therapy and/or imaging,   wherein said photothermal therapy: A) comprises the use of a treatment device that emits electromagnetic radiation, and B) causes said at least one tumor to be reduced in size or become undetectable; and   wherein said imaging: A) comprises the use of an imaging device configured for MRI/NMR detection and/or optical detection, and B) causes said at least one tumor to be visualized ex-vivo.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first type of material is selected from the group consisting of: Fe 3 O 4 , silicon, gold, copper, and carbon. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first type of material comprises Fe 3 O 4 . 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Fe 3 O 4  is highly crystallized and has an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern where the brightest diffraction ring is from the 440 plane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second type of material is selected from the group consisting of: gold sulfide (Au 2 S), copper sulfide (Cu 2 S), carbon nanotubes, and graphene. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second type of material comprises gold sulfide (Au 2 S). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said near-infrared optical dye material is selected from the group consisting of: IR820, ICG, and 5, aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said photothermal therapy causes said at least one tumor to be reduced in size at least 50%. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering comprises administering said composition to said subject intravenously. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one satellite component has a size between 0.5 nm and 50 nm in diameter. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating and/or imaging cancer cells in a subject comprising:
 a) administering to a subject a composition comprising core-satellite nanocomposites,   wherein said subject comprises a plurality of cancer cells,   wherein said core-satellite nanocomposites individually comprise:
 i) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core, wherein said nanoparticle core comprises a first type of material selected from: near-infrared photothermal agent material and MRI contrast agent material, and 
 ii) at least one satellite component attached to, or absorbed to, said biocompatible coating, wherein said at least one satellite component comprises a second type of material selected from: said near-infrared photothermal agent material, said MRI contrast agent material, and near-infrared optical dye material, and 
   wherein said administering generates a plurality of core-satellite nanocomposite-impregnated cancer cells in said subject; and   b) subjecting said subject to photothermal therapy and/or imaging,   wherein said photothermal therapy: A) comprises the use of a treatment device that emits electromagnetic radiation, and B) causes at least a portion of said core-satellite nanocomposite-impregnated cancer cells to be damaged or killed; and   wherein said imaging: A) comprises the use of an imaging device configured for MRI/NMR detection and/or optical detection, and B) causes at least a portion of said core-satellite nanocomposite-impregnated cancer cells to be visualized ex-vivo.   
     
     
         12 . A composition comprising a plurality of core-satellite nanocomposites, wherein said core-satellite nanocomposites individually comprise:
 a) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core, wherein said nanoparticle core comprises a first type of material selected from: near-infrared photothermal agent material and MRI contrast agent material, and   b) at least one satellite component attached to, or absorbed to, said biocompatible coating, wherein said at least one satellite component comprises a second type of material selected from: said near-infrared photothermal agent material, said MRI contrast agent material, and near-infrared optical dye material.   
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , further comprising a physiologically compatible aqueous solution. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said first type of material is selected from the group consisting of: Fe 3 O 4 , silicon, gold, copper, and carbon. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said first type of material comprises Fe 3 O 4 . 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said Fe 3 O 4  is highly crystallized and has an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern where the brightest diffraction ring is from the 440 plane. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said second type of material is selected from the group consisting of: gold sulfide (Au 2 S), copper sulfide (Cu 2 S), carbon nanotubes, and graphene. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a) a composition comprising core-satellite nanocomposites, wherein said core-satellite nanocomposites individually comprise:
 i) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core, wherein said nanoparticle core comprises a first type of material selected from: near-infrared photothermal agent material and MRI contrast agent material, and 
 ii) at least one satellite component attached to, or absorbed to, said biocompatible coating, wherein said at least one satellite component is smaller than said core nanoparticle complex and comprises a second type of material selected from: said near-infrared photothermal agent material, said MRI contrast agent material, and near-infrared optical dye material; and 
   b) a device component selected from:
 i) a treatment device that emits electromagnetic radiation, and 
 ii) an imaging device configured for MRI/NMR detection and/or optical detection. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said device component comprises said treatment device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said device component comprises said imaging device.