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Gene therapy based on small interfering RNA (siRNA) has emerged as an exciting new therapeutic approach. In this work, incorporation of PEI into poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-b-PEG) particles has been shown to be quite effective in the development of corresponding gene delivery systems, and encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles as an MRI contrast agent, resulted in unique theranostic nanoparticles.

Aim: Targeted biocompatible nanoplatforms presenting multiple therapeutic functions have great potential for the treatment of cancer. Materials & methods: Multifunctional nanocomposites formed by polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) containing two cytotoxic agents – the drug alisertib and silver nanoparticles – were synthesized. These PNPs have been conjugated with a chlorotoxin, an active targeting 36-amino acid-long peptide that specifically binds to MMP‑2, a receptor overexpressed by brain cancer cells. Results: The individual and synergistic activity of these two cytotoxic agents against glioblastoma multiforme was tested both in vitro and in vivo. The induced cytotoxicity in a human glioblastoma–astrocytoma epithelial‑like cell line (U87MG) was studied in vitro through a trypan blue exclusion test after 48 and 72 h of exposure. Subsequently, the PNPs’ biodistribution in healthy animals and their effect on tumor reduction in tumor‑bearing mice were studied using PNPs radiolabeled with 99mTc. Conclusion: Tumor reduction was achieved in vivo when using silver/alisertib@PNPs–chlorotoxin., JRC.I.4-Nanobiosciences

Four types of innovative benzophenone (BPh)- or aryl azide (ArAz)-containing photoreactive polycarbazole (polyCbz)- based microparticles (MPs) were prepared using an oxidative liquid phase polymerization system. Their photochemical reactivity was evaluated by their reaction with highly inert poly(2-chloro- paraxylelene) (Parylene C) films. Possible mechanisms for the photochemical reaction of those MPs with Parylene Cw ere discussed. The highly photoreactive BPh was found to react more inside the particle causing internal cross-linking of MP polyCbz chains, fusion between adjoining particles and deformation of their spherical structure. In contrast, the less reactive but more selective ArAz-containing MPs were found to react much more with Parylene C. The strong reactivity of such photoreactive MPs toward Parylene C films emphasizes a general method for the functionalization of stable nonfunctional polymeric coatings. This paves the way to simple and solvent-free functionalization of nonfunctional coatings and materials by light. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 000: 000-000, 2011

Erica Locatelli,1 Larraitz Gil,2 Liron Limor Israel,3 Lorena Passoni,4,5 Maria Naddaka,1 Andrea Pucci,1 Torsten Reese,6 Vanessa Gomez-Vallejo,2 Paolo Milani,5,7 Michela Matteoli,4,8 Jordi Llop,2 Jean Paul Lellouche,3 Mauro Comes Franchini11Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”. University of Bologna, Italy; 2Radiochemistry Department, Molecular Imaging Unit, CIC biomaGUNE, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain; 3Department of Chemistry, Nanomaterials Research Centre, Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel; 4Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Italy; 5Fondazione Filarete, Milano, Italy; 6Imaging Department, Molecular Imaging Unit, CIC biomaGUNE, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain; 7CIMAINA and Department of Physics, University of Milano, Italy; 8Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, ItalyAbstract: A novel nanocarrier system was designed and developed with key components uniquely structured at the nanoscale for early cancer diagnosis and treatment. In order to perform magnetic resonance imaging, hydrophilic superparamagnetic maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and coated with a lipophilic organic ligand. Next, they were entrapped into polymeric NPs made of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) linked to polyethylene glycol. In addition, resulting NPs have been conjugated on their surface with a 2,2'-(7-(4-((2-aminoethyl)amino)-1-carboxy-4-oxobutyl)-1,4,7-triazonane-1,4-diyl)diacetic acid ligand for subsequent 68Ga incorporation. A cell-based cytotoxicity assay has been employed to verify the in vitro cell viability of human pancreatic cancer cells exposed to this nanosystem. Finally, in vivo positron emission tomography-computerized tomography biodistribution studies in healthy animals were performed.Keywords: maghemite nanoparticles, organic coating, polymeric nanoparticles, magnetic resonance imaging, radiolabeling, positron emission tomography

This paper reports a simple method for the controllable synthesis of highly effective SiO2@Pt supported catalysts. Hybrid photoreactive silica nanoparticles (NPs) modified with benzophenone (SiO2@BPh) were used as the supporting phase while Pt NPs were used as the catalyst. Monodisperse Pt NPs were homogeneously deposited on the supporting phase with full control of metal loading (from 2.15 to 34.60 wt%) via direct photoreduction of the PtCl62− metal precursor. The catalytic activities of our supported catalysts were evaluated by the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride. These catalytic activities were found to be much higher than those of unsupported Pt NPs reported in the literature and commercial Pt/C supported catalyst. The facile synthetic method established in this study should largely contribute to the further development of various highly effective supported catalysts.