Channeling Nanoparticles for Detection and Targeted Treatment of Breast Cancerous Lesions

摘要

In order to implement the use of nanotools for detection and treatment inside breast channels it is critical to develop cell culture methods that mimic the mammary ductal system characterized by branched channels with decreasing lumen sizes. Here we report the first mimicry of branched mammary ducts. The branched system was first designed using soft lithography and PDMS as the molded material and then using acrylic support to permit round shapes for the duct channels. Non-neoplastic mammary epithelial cells can cover laminin 111- precoated channels and display basoapical polarity, like in the phenotypically normal situation. The acrylic based system was then successfully used to culture tumors in the presence of non-neoplastic cells lining the channels. Superparamagnetic microparticles (SMPs) were tested on phenotypically normal cells and showed lack of deleterious effects on survival and differentiation. Once PEGylated the SMPs could be readily moved along the surface of the ductal cells using a magnet. This pilot project has shown that it will be possible to test SMPs designed to target abnormal cells for detection and treatment within a breast ductal system.