In addition to targeted delivery of anticancer agents such as doxorubicin, TSLs (thermosensitive liposomes) are also able to carry agents useful for imaging. This allows TSLs to simultaneously provide real-time noninvasive measurements of drug delivery.
Figure 1. By placing Gd-DTPA (an MRI probe) inside the liposome along with doxorubicin, noninvasive measurements of real-time drug delivery can occur. HaT displays tumor size reduction difference in heated vs. non-heated environments. From Tagami et al. Biomaterials. 2011 Sep; 32(27): 6570-6578.
Figure 2. A correlation was seen between MR parameter change (ΔR1 = [1/T1 post – 1/T1 pre] doxorubicin uptake. This allows the usage of this MRI agent and imaging technique as an indicator of doxorubicin uptake and possibly therapeutic efficacy. From Tagami et al. Biomaterials. 2011 Sep; 32(27): 6570-6578.
Figure 3. A sigmoidal curve is observed between ΔR1 and antitumor efficacy. From Tagami et al. Biomaterials. 2011 Sep; 32(27): 6570-6578.