A breakthrough technology using nanoparticles could revolutionize cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment.
A New Era in Atherosclerosis Diagnosis and Treatment
Researchers from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine have developed a groundbreaking nanoparticle technology that can both diagnose and treat atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque in arteries, a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. These nanoparticles, which range from one to 100 nanometres in size, are capable of delivering imaging and therapeutic agents directly to atherosclerotic plaques.
The technology works by utilizing gadolinium, a chemical that enhances the visibility of plaques during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This allows doctors to obtain real-time, high-resolution images of plaque severity, making it easier to monitor disease progression. Simultaneously, the nanoparticles deliver simvastatin, an anti-inflammatory drug, directly to the plaques, stabilizing them and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
Nanoparticles as ‘Delivery Vehicles’
Assistant Professor Wang Jiong-Wei, the principal investigator of the study, compared these nanoparticles to tiny delivery vehicles. They transport both imaging and treatment agents right to the target site, ensuring precision. This innovative approach could reduce the need for patients to visit multiple specialists, saving both time and money. Furthermore, the nanoparticles degrade harmlessly when no inflammation or plaque is present, ensuring they don’t affect patients whose conditions have improved.
Advantages Over Existing Methods
Currently, imaging atherosclerotic plaques typically requires invasive procedures, such as intravascular ultrasound, which has limited resolution and is only used in larger blood vessels. In contrast, the nanoparticle technology is non-invasive, providing higher-resolution MRI images and enhancing the visibility of plaque through the gadolinium contrast agent.
Additionally, these nanoparticles deliver a much higher dose of simvastatin directly to the plaque, which improves the drug’s therapeutic efficacy and reduces the systemic side effects that often occur with oral administration.
Towards Clinical Trials
While the research is still in the proof-of-concept stage, Professor Wang hopes to move the nanoparticle technology into clinical trials within the next three to five years. The potential for this technology to not only treat atherosclerosis but also to be adapted for diagnosing and treating other diseases is a promising prospect for the future of nanomedicine.
