A series of polymer and polymer/inorganic nanoparticles with a core-shell structure has been developed, combining radiopaque, magnetic, luminescent, and fluorine-containing properties.
These nanostructures were created as a new generation of theranostics—systems that simultaneously enable cell recognition and real-time monitoring of therapeutic effects. Their surface is biofunctionalized with proteins, in particular albumin, which promotes high biocompatibility and selective interaction with cellular structures.
In the figure. Micrograph illustrating the binding of fluorescein-encapsulated polystyrene nanoparticles biofunctionalized with albumin to J774 mouse macrophages. 2 after 20 minutes of incubation (1) and SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells labeled with LaPO4•Eu nanoparticles with a polymer shell (2) (biological studies, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine).
The studies demonstrated the effective binding of fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles to J774.2 macrophages, as well as the labeling of SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells with polymer-coated LaPO4:Eu nanoparticles, as confirmed by micrographs.
Such platforms are promising for tumor visualization, monitoring of delivered therapeutic agents, and personalized medicine, where diagnostic and therapeutic agents are combined in a single object.