A Laser Synthesis Route to Boron-Doped Gold Nanoparticles Designed for X-Ray Radiotherapy and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Assisted by CT Imaging

New multifunctional theranostic vectors allow the expansion of cancer therapeutic approaches toward scarcely investigated fields. One example is the combination of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and X-ray radiotherapy (XRT) for treating normal and XRT-resistant hypoxic tumor regions and reduce recurrence. Of great relevance for BNCT is also the support of viable, rapid, safe, and reliable techniques for the localization and quantification of the radiosensitizers in the tissues. To address these challenges, polymer-coated Au-B nanoparticles (NPs) are obtained starting from a laser ablation in liquid process. Despite thermodynamic constraints, the two elements coexist by short-range boron segregation in the gold lattice, as demonstrated experimentally and explained with the support of density functional theory calculations. Thus, the Au-B NPs maintain a marked gold character such as biocompatibility, stability, and straightforward surface chemistry with thiolated compounds, desirable for the integration with agents capable of cell targeting and internalization. Overall, the Au-B NPs exhibit the appropriate features for the investigation of combined BNCT and XRT, supported by the localization and quantification with X-ray computed tomography imaging. Besides, the Au-B nanotechnology tool is achievable without renouncing to reproducibility, environmental sustainability, and cost affordability thanks to the laser-assisted synthetic pathway.     

Improving In Vitro Detection of Sensitization to Lipid Transfer Proteins: A New Molecular Multiplex IgE Assay

Scope

LTP-syndrome is characterized by sensitization (IgE) to multiple non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) with a variable clinical outcome. The treatment is primarily based on offending food avoidance. However, the determination of Pru p 3-specific IgE is currently the main diagnostic tool to assess sensitization to nsLTPs. Herein, the study evaluates improvement of LTP-syndrome diagnosis and clinical management using a new IgE multiplex-immunoblot assay with a high diversity of food nsLTPs.

Methods and results

An EUROLINE-LTP strip with 28 recombinant nsLTPs from 18 allergenic sources is designed. In total the study investigates 38 patients with LTP-syndrome and compares results from the nsLTPs (LTP-strip) with the respective food extracts of Prick-by-prick (PbP) testing. The agreement exceeds 70% for most nsLTPs, e.g., Pru p 3 (100%), Mal d 3 (97%), Pru av 3 (89%), Pha v 3 isoforms (87%/84%), Ara h 9 (82%), Cor a 8 (82%), and Jug r 3 (82%). The functionality and allergenic relevance of nine recombinant nsLTPs are proven by Basophil activation testing (BAT).

Conclusions

The new IgE multiplex-immunoblot nsLTP assay shows a good diagnostic performance allowing culprit food assessment. Negative results from LTP-strip may indicate potentially tolerable foods, improving diet intervention and patients’ quality of life.