Biocompatible Coated Tungstate Nanoparticles for Targeted Radiotherapy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio-sensitization methods for cancer treatment, such as anticancer drugs and photoelectric nanoparticles, are toxic and inefficient, limiting the effectiveness of radiation therapy and causing significant side effects, while existing nanoparticle formulations for Radio Luminescence Therapy (RLT) are not suitable for in vivo applications due to instability and toxicity.

Innovation Solution

Development of biocompatible polymeric coatings for metal tungstate and molybdate nanoparticles, specifically encapsulating calcium tungstate (CaWO4) and other metal tungstates within amphiphilic block copolymer micelles to enhance stability, biocompatibility, and targeting capabilities, allowing for efficient delivery to cancer cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current radio-sensitization methods (anticancer drugs or photoelectric nanoparticles) are used, then cancer cells can be targeted, but toxicity increases and treatment efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity to healthy cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the radio-sensitizer material from conventional anticancer drugs or photoelectric nanoparticles to radio-luminescent particles (RLPs) based on metal tungstates and metal molybdates. These RLPs absorb ionizing radiation and convert it to UV light, creating a new mechanism of action that is inherently less toxic to healthy cells while maintaining or improving cancer cell targeting effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces radio-luminescent particles as an intermediary substance that mediates between the ionizing radiation and the cancer cells. The RLPs absorb the radiation and convert it to UV light, which then interacts with the cancer cells to produce therapeutic effects. This intermediary approach allows for more controlled and localized energy delivery, reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If radio-luminescent nanoparticles are used for RLT, then radiation therapy efficiency improves, but colloidal stability and biocompatibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation therapy efficiencyVSAvoidcolloidal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates composite nanoparticle structures by combining radio-luminescent particles (metal tungstates or metal molybdates) with biocompatible coating materials. The core RLPs provide the radio-luminescent function for efficient radiation therapy, while the biocompatible coating shell provides colloidal stability and biocompatibility. This core-shell composite structure allows both high radiation therapy efficiency and stable biological performance to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies biocompatible coating materials as protective shells around the radio-luminescent particles. These coating shells provide steric stabilization and prevent aggregation of the nanoparticles in physiological environments, thereby ensuring colloidal stability. The thin film coating does not significantly interfere with the radio-luminescent properties of the core particles while providing necessary biological compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If radio-luminescent nanoparticles are used for RLT, then radiation therapy efficiency improves, but biocompatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation therapy efficiencyVSAvoidbiocompatibility issues
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates composite nanoparticle structures by combining radio-luminescent particles (metal tungstates or metal molybdates) with biocompatible coating materials. The core RLPs provide the radio-luminescent function for efficient radiation therapy, while the biocompatible coating shell provides colloidal stability and biocompatibility. This core-shell composite structure allows both high radiation therapy efficiency and stable biological performance to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The biocompatible coating material serves as an intermediary layer between the potentially toxic metal tungstate/molybdate core and the biological environment. This coating shell prevents direct interaction between the metal particles and biological tissues, reducing toxicity while allowing the radio-luminescent function to operate effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The encapsulated nanoparticles demonstrate improved colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and enhanced luminescence properties, enabling effective and targeted radio-luminescent therapy with reduced side effects by delivering therapeutic doses of radiation directly to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.

Implementation Method 1

This technology is based on a new type of radio-sensitizer, namely, 'Radio-Luminescent Particles (RLPs)'. The most promising examples of such materials include metal tungstates and metal molybdates. These RLPs produce UV light with high energy photon radiation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio-luminescence: Radioluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3721887A1Non-toxic formulations of radio-luminescent nanoparticles for use as cancer radio-sensitizing agents
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 PURDUE RES FOUND
  • EP3721887A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721887A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3721887A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates generally to a formulation in which metal tungstate or metal molybdate particles are encapsulated within biocompatible, diseased cell-targeting polymeric coatings. Such formulations render metal tungstate or metal molybdate particles suitable for in vivo biomedical imaging and therapeutic applications.