Ultra-short carbon nanotubes as nanocapsules for medical imaging and therapy

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dc.contributor.advisorWilson, Lon J.en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberWeisman, R. Bruceen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberLee, Adrian V.en_US
dc.creatorHartman, Keith Bennetten_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-04-26T14:14:54Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-04-26T14:14:54Zen_US
dc.date.issued2008en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis details the development of ultra-short, single-walled carbon nanotubes (US-tubes) for use as nanocapsules to contain and deliver medical agents for both imaging (Gd3+ ) and therapeutic (211 At) purposes. In particular, Gd3+ -loaded US-tubes, known as gadonanotubes, operate as high-performance MRI contrast agents with relaxivities (image enhancement efficacy) a factor of 40-100 greater than current clinical contrast agents. Furthermore, gadonanotube relaxivities are highly pH-dependent, with image intensity nearly tripling from pH 7.5 to 6.8. Coupled with their high efficacies and targeting potential, these agents are promising candidates for next-generation targeted imaging probes for the early detection of cancer. Single gadonanotubes have also been encapsulated in a polymer shell for use as an intravenous MRI contrast agent. In addition, a new functionalization scheme has been developed to covalently attach a variety of amino acids in high quantity to the outer surface of the gadonanotubes and to attach a small peptide sequence for targeting breast cancer cells. The gadonanotubes have also been used as magnetic cell labeling agents, while also demonstrating efficacy in vivo as contrast agents. In addition to functioning as an imaging agent platform, the US-tubes have demonstrated efficacy as nanocapsules for radiotherapeutic agents. Astatine-211 (At-211), an α-emitting radionuclide, can be loaded inside the US-tube with excellent containment stability for the targeted delivery of an α-radiotherapeutic agent to micrometastatic and single-cell cancers. The loading levels for At-211 are comparable to, or better than, other known compounds. At-211, existing as the mixed-halogen compound 211 AtCl, is retained in the US-tube nanocapsules due to van der Waals forces between the 211AtCl and the interior sidewalls of the nanotube. Finally, the US-tubes have been shown to induce few health risks in mammalian experiments. Acute toxicity tests were conducted on mice with both raw and purified full-length carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), as well as US-tubes, using large doses (up to 1 g/kg of bodyweight). Even at these large doses, no animal death was recorded, although in a few cases behavioral changes were observed. Nanotubes were observed to be eliminated from the liver and kidneys through the urine and feces. It is believed that any toxicity at high doses can be attenuated (and prevented) by properly formulating the administered dose.en_US
dc.format.extent123 ppen_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS CHEM. 2008 HARTMANen_US
dc.identifier.citationHartman, Keith Bennett. "Ultra-short carbon nanotubes as nanocapsules for medical imaging and therapy." (2008) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70970">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70970</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/70970en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectApplied sciencesen_US
dc.subjectPure sciencesen_US
dc.subjectCarbon nanotubesen_US
dc.subjectNanocapsulesen_US
dc.subjectMedical imagingen_US
dc.subjectUltrashort nanotubesen_US
dc.subjectInorganic chemistryen_US
dc.subjectBiomedical engineeringen_US
dc.titleUltra-short carbon nanotubes as nanocapsules for medical imaging and therapyen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentChemistryen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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