Applying iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) during treatment for pancreatic cancer may increase drug efficacy and create antitumor effects, according to a new study.
In Enhanced Local Drug Accumulation via Intra-arterial Administration of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Hyperthermia Induced Antitumor Effects in a Rat Pancreatic Cancer Model, one of the SIR 2025 Featured Abstracts, researchers utilized a rat pancreatic cancer model to determine whether selective intra-arterial (IA) administration of cobalt-doped IONPs would enhance drug accumulation, compared to systemic intravenous (IV) administration.
“Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate despite recent advancements in molecular targeting agents,” said Kentaro Yamada, MD, PhD, lead author of the study. “The dense interstitial tissue of the pancreas, consisting of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix, can prevent anticancer drugs from permeating the tissue, hindering effective pharmacotherapies.”
Working under Khashayar Farsad, MD, PhD, FSIR, and in collaboration with bioengineers, Dr. Yamada and his team hypothesized that IONPs-induced hyperthermia could loosen this interstitial tissue, facilitating drug delivery and inducing apoptosis.
“In combination with an externally applied alternating magnetic field, the nanoparticles can induce hyperthermia to facilitate apoptosis,” said Dr. Yamada. “We investigated utilizing IONPs for locoregional therapy for deep-seated cancers, such as pancreatic or liver cancer, to maximize treatment effects while minimizing systemic side effects.”
First, researchers needed to establish a rat pancreatic cancer model for IR research, as none currently existed for transarterial therapy. They then worked to determine if selective IA delivery of IONPs was possible without shunting or washout. Finally, they sought to discover whether IONP-induced hyperthermia could provoke an anticancer effect compared to controlled treatment.
Researchers found that organ-to-tumor near-infrared signal rations in the brain, lungs, heart, liver and kidneys were much lower in the IA group compared to the IV group. In addition, rats that had induced hyperthermia via alternating magnetic fields showed tumor shrinkage at rates comparable to tumor growth in the control group.
“Our findings suggest that nanoparticle-based therapies can be effectively integrated with IR treatments, offering significant potential for future research,” said Dr. Yamada. “Additionally, our research demonstrates that hyperthermia-induced antitumor effects are effective, even for deep-seated cancers.”
The next step, Dr. Yamada said, is to investigate tissue permeability changes in pancreatic cancer tissue, as well as tumor immune environment changes, after hyperthermia therapy.
Dr. Yama will present his findings at SIR 2025 on Wednesday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. during the Interventional Oncology-Basic Science session
