Gold Nanoparticle Contrast Agents in Mammography: A Feasibility Study

摘要

The successful translation of molecular imaging to mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis would allow clinical molecular imaging of the breast. This is a potentially more sensitive approach to early breast cancer detection, especially in women at high risk. Bioconjugated gold (Au) nanoparticle (NP) imaging agents, used in conjunction with digital mammography and breast tomosynthesis, should provide improved lesion conspicuity. Au-NP are exceptionally attenuating at mammographic energies; even very low concentrations are theoretically detectable. The primary aim of this study was to prove that Au-NP can act as a viable mammographic contrast agent. We successfully synthesized bioconjugated HER2/neu Au-NP. Using a multifunctionalization method with PEG and an anti-Her2 neu affibody, we were able to create nanoparticles which were stable in serum. These data are sufficient to begin in vitro studies to determine whether mammography molecular imaging agents are feasible.