Immunocytes as a Biocarrier to Delivery Therapeutic and Imaging Contrast Agents to Tumors

Radiotherapy for cancer treatment has been used for primary or adjuvant treatment in many types of cancer, and approximately half of all cancer patients are undergoing radiation. However, ionizing radiation exposure induces genetic alterations in cancer cells and results in recruitment of monocytes/macrophages by triggering signals released from these cells. Using this characteristic of monocytes/macrophages, we have attempted to develop a biocarrier loading radiosensitizing anticancer agents that can lead to enhance the therapeutic effect of radiation in cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the proof of this concept. THP-1 labeled with Qdot 800 or iron oxide (IO) effectively migrated into tumors of subcutaneous mouse model and increased recruitment after ionizing radiation. Functionalized liposomes carrying a radiosensitizing anticancer agent, doxorubicin, are successfully loaded in THP-1 (THP-1-LP-Dox) with reduced cytotoxicity, and THP-1-LP-Dox also was observed in tumors after intravenous administration. Here, we report that monocytes/macrophages as a biocarrier can be used as a selective tool for amplification of the therapeutic effects on radiotherapy for human cancer treatment.