Sara Lacerda

Bio: Sara Lacerda is an academic researcher from University of Orléans. The author has contributed to research in topics: Elastin & Tropoelastin. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 37 publications receiving 509 citations. Previous affiliations of Sara Lacerda include Centre national de la recherche scientifique & St Thomas' Hospital.

X-ray-induced radiophotodynamic therapy (RPDT) using lanthanide micelles: Beyond depth limitations

Abstract: Upon X-ray irradiation, lanthanide transfers visible energy to a photosensitizer, leading to local reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and triggering photodynamic therapy (PDT), even in deep tumors. The proposed nanolipoparticles, which contain both lanthanides and photosensitizer molecules, offer new opportunities in therapy and diagnosis.

In Vivo Assessment of Aortic Aneurysm Wall Integrity Using Elastin-Specific Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract: Background— The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has increased during the last decades. However, there is still controversy about the management of medium-sized AAAs. Therefore, novel biomarkers, besides aneurysmal diameter, are needed to assess aortic wall integrity and risk of rupture. Elastin is the key protein for maintaining aortic wall tensile strength and stability. The progressive breakdown of structural proteins, in particular, medial elastin, is responsible for the inability of the aortic wall to withstand intraluminal hemodynamic forces. Here, we evaluate the usefulness of elastin-specific molecular MRI for the in vivo characterization of AAAs. Methods and Results— To induce AAAs, ApoE–/– mice were infused with angiotensin-II. An elastin-specific magnetic resonance molecular imaging agent (ESMA) was administered after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of angiotensin-II infusion to assess elastin composition of the aorta (n=8 per group). The high signal provided by ESMA allowed for imaging with high spatial resolution, resulting in an accurate assessment of ruptured elastic laminae and the compensatory expression of elastic fibers. In vivo contrast-to-noise ratios and R1-relaxation rates after ESMA administration were in good agreement with ex vivo histomorphometry (Elastica van Gieson stain) and gadolinium concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Electron microscopy confirmed colocalization of ESMA with elastic fibers. Conclusions— Changes in elastin content could be readily delineated and quantified at different stages of AAAs by elastin-specific molecular magnetic resonance imaging. ESMA-MRI offers potential for the noninvasive detection of the aortic rupture site prior to dilation of the aorta and the subsequent in vivo monitoring of compensatory repair processes during the progression of AAAs.

Unprecedented Kinetic Inertness for a Mn 2+ ‐Bispidine Chelate: A Novel Structural Entry for Mn 2+ ‐Based Imaging Agents

Abstract: The search for more biocompatible alternatives to Gd3+ -based MRI agents, and the interest in 52 Mn for PET imaging call for ligands that form inert Mn2+ chelates. Given the labile nature of Mn2+ , high inertness is challenging to achieve. The strongly preorganized structure of the 2,4-pyridyl-disubstituted bispidol ligand L1 endows its Mn2+ complex with exceptional kinetic inertness. Indeed, MnL1 did not show any dissociation for 140 days in the presence of 50 equiv. of Zn2+ (37 °C, pH 6), while recently reported potential MRI agents MnPyC3A and MnPC2A-EA have dissociation half-lives of 0.285 h and 54.4 h under similar conditions. In addition, the relaxivity of MnL1 (4.28 mm-1 s-1 at 25 °C, 20 MHz) is remarkable for a monohydrated, small Mn2+ chelate. In vivo MRI experiments in mice and determination of the tissue Mn content evidence rapid renal clearance of MnL1 . Additionally, L1 could be radiolabeled with 52 Mn and the complex revealed good stability in biological media.

Lanthanide(III) complexes of 4,10-bis(phosphonomethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetic acid (trans-H6do2a2p) in solution and in the solid state: structural studies along the series.

Abstract: Complexes of 4,10-bis(phosphonomethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetic acid (trans-H(6)do2a2p, H(6)L) with transition metal and lanthanide(III) ions were investigated. The stability constant values of the divalent and trivalent metal-ion complexes are between the corresponding values of H(4)dota and H(8)dotp complexes, as a consequence of the ligand basicity. The solid-state structures of the ligand and of nine lanthanide(III) complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. All the complexes are present as twisted-square-antiprismatic isomers and their structures can be divided into two series. The first one involves nona-coordinated complexes of the large lanthanide(III) ions (Ce, Nd, Sm) with a coordinated water molecule. In the series of Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb, the complexes are octa-coordinated only by the ligand donor atoms and their coordination cages are more irregular. The formation kinetics and the acid-assisted dissociation of several Ln(III)-H(6)L complexes were investigated at different temperatures and compared with analogous data for complexes of other dota-like ligands. The [Ce(L)(H(2)O)](3-) complex is the most kinetically inert among complexes of the investigated lanthanide(III) ions (Ce, Eu, Gd, Yb). Among mixed phosphonate-acetate dota analogues, kinetic inertness of the cerium(III) complexes is increased with a higher number of phosphonate arms in the ligand, whereas the opposite is true for europium(III) complexes. According to the (1)H NMR spectroscopic pseudo-contact shifts for the Ce-Eu and Tb-Yb series, the solution structures of the complexes reflect the structures of the [Ce(HL)(H(2)O)](2-) and [Yb(HL)](2-) anions, respectively, found in the solid state. However, these solution NMR spectroscopic studies showed that there is no unambiguous relation between (31)P/(1)H lanthanide-induced shift (LIS) values and coordination of water in the complexes; the values rather express a relative position of the central ions between the N(4) and O(4) planes.

Reactive oxygen species generating systems meeting challenges of photodynamic cancer therapy

Abstract: The reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mechanism is the major cause underlying the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The PDT procedure is based on the cascade of synergistic effects between light, a photosensitizer (PS) and oxygen, which greatly favors the spatiotemporal control of the treatment. This procedure has also evoked several unresolved challenges at different levels including (i) the limited penetration depth of light, which restricts traditional PDT to superficial tumours; (ii) oxygen reliance does not allow PDT treatment of hypoxic tumours; (iii) light can complicate the phototherapeutic outcomes because of the concurrent heat generation; (iv) specific delivery of PSs to sub-cellular organelles for exerting effective toxicity remains an issue; and (v) side effects from undesirable white-light activation and self-catalysation of traditional PSs. Recent advances in nanotechnology and nanomedicine have provided new opportunities to develop ROS-generating systems through photodynamic or non-photodynamic procedures while tackling the challenges of the current PDT approaches. In this review, we summarize the current status and discuss the possible opportunities for ROS generation for cancer therapy. We hope this review will spur pre-clinical research and clinical practice for ROS-mediated tumour treatments.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Based Nanomedicine.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in regulating various physiological functions of living organisms. The intrinsic biochemical properties of ROS, which underlie the mechanisms ne...

Overcoming the Achilles' heel of photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been applied to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including wet age-related macular degeneration psoriasis, atherosclerosis, viral infection and malignant cancers. However, the tissue penetration limitation of excitation light hinders the widespread clinical use of PDT. To overcome this “Achilles' heel”, deep PDT, a novel type of phototherapy, has been developed for the efficient treatment of deep-seated diseases. Based on the different excitation sources, including near-infrared (NIR) light, X-ray radiation, and internal self-luminescence, a series of deep PDT techniques have been explored to demonstrate the advantages of deep cancer therapy over conventional PDT excited by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) light. In particular, the featured applications of deep PDT, such as organelle-targeted deep PDT, hypoxic deep PDT and deep PDT-involved multimodal synergistic therapy are discussed. Finally, the future development and potential challenges of deep PDT are also elucidated for clinical translation. It is highly expected that deep PDT will be developed as a versatile, depth/oxygen-independent and minimally invasive strategy for treating a variety of malignant tumours at deep locations.

Chemistry of MRI Contrast Agents: Current Challenges and New Frontiers

Abstract: Tens of millions of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams are performed annually around the world. The contrast agents, which improve diagnostic accuracy, are almost exclusively small, hydrophilic gadolinium(III) based chelates. In recent years concerns have arisen surrounding the long-term safety of these compounds, and this has spurred research into alternatives. There has also been a push to develop new molecularly targeted contrast agents or agents that can sense pathological changes in the local environment. This comprehensive review describes the state of the art of clinically approved contrast agents, their mechanism of action, and factors influencing their safety. From there we describe different mechanisms of generating MR image contrast such as relaxation, chemical exchange saturation transfer, and direct detection and the types of molecules that are effective for these purposes. Next we describe efforts to make safer contrast agents either by increasing relaxivity, increasing resistance to metal ion release, or by moving to gadolinium(III)-free alternatives. Finally we survey approaches to make contrast agents more specific for pathology either by direct biochemical targeting or by the design of responsive or activatable contrast agents.

Chemical Design and Synthesis of Functionalized Probes for Imaging and Treating Tumor Hypoxia

Abstract: Hypoxia development in tumor is closely associated with its increased aggressiveness and strong resistance to therapy, leading to the poor prognosis in several cancer types. Clinically, invasive oxygen microelectrode and high dosage radiotherapy are often utilized to accurately detect and effectively fight hypoxia. Recently, however, there has been a surge of interdisciplinary research aiming at developing functional molecules and nanomaterials that can be used to noninvasively image and efficiently treat hypoxic tumors. In this review, we will provide an overview of the reports published to date on the imaging and therapy of hypoxic tumors. First, we will present the design concepts and engineering of various hypoxia-responsive probes that can be applied to image hypoxia noninvasively, in an order of fluorescent imaging, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. Then, we will summarize the up-to-date functional nanomaterials which can be used for the effective t...