Optoacoustic specific detection of prostate cancer using functionalized gold nanorods

Abstract

A major challenge in prostate cancer oncology is to develop more accurate imaging assessments than those currently available. Indeed, an efficient imaging technique which significantly improves the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic and predicting the cancer behaviour would be extremely valuable. This project intends to prove the concept of using optoacoustic imaging in combination with biologically functionalized nanoparticles as an integrated biosensor based system for the production of specific and sensitive data for accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer. This concept results on the use of contrast agents which transform an incident luminous energy into local heating inducing a pressure wave detectable by acoustic (echography). For the optoacoustic detection, the nanoparticles used must present a maximum of absorption in the optical transparency window of the human tissues in order to allow their and subsequently the tissue specific excitations while avoiding unwanted destructive energy transfers. According to these characteristics (energy transfer by thermoelastic reaction), rod-like gold nanoparticles (stick form) with a maximum of absorption towards 760 nm were produced by using a “bottom-up” approach with dynamic templates (surfactant). These nanoparticles are then coupled with an antibody directed against the cancerous cells to guarantee the specific detection of the particles. The development of the biosensor is firstly performed to target the Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), a transmembrane protein considered as a suitable biomarker for prostate cancer. Detection and localisation of PSMA on LNCaP fixed cell surface was performed by immunostainning on monolayer cell culture and on spheroid slices. Then, by backscattered electron (BSE) microscopy analysis and two-photon luminescence imaging, detection of nanoparticles on fixed and living cell surface shows the successful binding of the biosensor to the cells expressing PSMA. In prospect, the detection of the biosensor will be tested on spheroids, on human biopsies and finally on in vivo models (mouse xenograft models).FP6 STREP ADONIS Projec