PROJECT TITLE: Magnetic particles and nanowires for non-invasive cancer cell destruction by controlled magnetomechanical actuation

PROJECT ACRONYM: MagneAct

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY: Unitatea Executivă pentru Finanțarea Învățământului Superior, a Cercetării, Dezvoltării și Inovării (UEFISCDI)

FOUNDING SOURCE: Exploratory Research Projects - PNCDI III - Program 4 - Fundamental and frontier research

CALL IDENTIFIER: PN-III-ID-PCE-2021-3
(PNCDI III / Program 4 - Fundamental and frontier research / Exploratory Research Projects)

PROJECT CODE: PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2381

CONTRACT NUMBER: PCE 20 / 2021

PROJECT DURATION: 36 months (04.01.2021- 31.12.2023)

PROJECT BUDGET: 1.198.032 RON

HOST INSTITUTION: Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizică Tehnică – IFT Iași (National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, Iași)

PROJECT SUMMARY

This project focuses on a highly significant scientific topic, namely the development of an anticancer therapy by using the magneto-mechanical effect produced through the magnetic actuation of magnetic particles/nanowires when exposed to a rotating magnetic field (RMF). The primary outcome of magneto-mechanical actuation in an RMF is the rotation of the magnetic particles/nanowires, which is induced by a torque that varies in magnitude based on factors such as the magnetic field's intensity, the magnetic moment, and the magnetic susceptibility of the particles/nanowires.

The project includes all stages required for the creation of the desired Fe-ETM-Nb-B magnetic particles (MPs) (ETM = Early Transition Metals such as Cr, Ti, and Mn) and Ni, Co, NiFe, or CoFe magnetic nanowires (MNWs). They include the preparation, characterization, and investigation of the original mechanisms governing their unique magnetic properties, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between MPs/MNWs and various cells (cancer cells and normal cells).

The objective of this project is to destroy the cancer cells through direct magneto-mechanical effects, either independently or in conjunction with other processes. These supplementary processes may involve using STEM cells as carriers for transporting MPs/MNWs or drug-coated MPs/MNWs, facilitating controlled release of antitumoral drugs bound to the particles.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this project is to use magnetic particles and magnetic nanowires that possess specific sizes, shapes, and enhanced magnetic properties to swiftly respond to actuation in rotating magnetic fields, leading to the destruction of cancer cells through either direct magneto-mechanical effects or in conjunction with other techniques (STEM cells as carriers to transport MPs and MNWs, drug-coated MPs/MNWs, control of the release of antitumoral drugs attached to MPs/MNWs).

Furthermore, the project proposes to study and understand the interaction between MPs/MNWs and various types of cells, including both cancer cells and normal cells, that will allow to establish correlations between the magnetic properties of the particles and nanowires and their impact on cellular interactions.

EXPECTED/OBTAINED RESULTS

• Magnetic particles (MPs) prepared by high-energy ball milling from precursor amorphous ribbons with glassy structures.
• Magnetic nanowires (MNWs) prepared by electrodeposition in alumina templates with various pore sizes.
• Microstructural and magnetic characterization of MPs and MNWs.
• Evaluation of the torque developed by MPs/MNWs actuated in a rotating magnetic field.
• Evaluation of the biocompatibility of MPs and MNWs in the presence of cancer and normal cells and the effect of MPs and MNWs actuated in a rotating magnetic field on the viability of cancer and normal cells.
• Evaluation of the capacity of STEM cells to incorporate MPs/MNWs, of the mobility towards the cancer cells area, and of the release processes for MPs/MNWs from the STEM cells following the magneto-mechanical actuation.
• Evaluation of the possibility to attach antitumor drugs on the MPs and MNWs incorporated in the STEM cells and their controlled release through magneto-actuation in a rotating magnetic field.

DISSEMINATION

• Planned: 4 scientific papers in ISI journals, 5 communications at international conferences, 2 book chapters, and 1 patent application / Realized: 5 scientific papers in ISI journals, 10 communications at international conferences, 3 book chapters, and 1 patent application
• Communications:
  • A.E. Minuti, D.D. Herea, L. Labusca, G. Stoian, N. Lupu, H. Chiriac
    Simple method of preparing biological cell samples for SEM imaging of nanomaterials adherent to the cell membrane
    13th International Conference on Physics of Advanced Materials (ICPAM-13), 24-30 September 2021, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Costa Brava, Spain (oral presentation)
  • H. Chiriac, A. Minuti, A. Ghemes, D. Herea, L. Labusca, G. Stoian, N. Lupu
    Fe-Co magnetic nanowires for cancer cell destruction by magneto-mechanical actuation
    Joint MMM-INTERMAG 2022, 10-14 January 2022, New Orleans, LA, USA (poster)
  • M. Lostun, G. Stoian, M. Grigoraș, G. Ababei, H. Chiriac, N. Lupu
    Influence of wet and dry milling conditions on the evolution of microstructure and T_C of Fe-Cr-Nb-B glassy powders
    Joint MMM-INTERMAG 2022, 10-14 January 2022, New Orleans, LA, USA (oral presentation)
  • H. Chiriac, A. Minuti, A. Ghemes, D. Herea, L. Labusca, G. Stoian, N. Lupu
    Magnetic nanowires for cancer cell destruction by magneto-mechanical actuation
    European Magnetic Sensors and Actuators Conference (EMSA’22), 5-8 July 2022, Madrid, Spain (poster)
  • A.E. Minuti, D.D. Herea, L. Labusca, G. Stoian, N. Lupu, H. Chiriac
    A straightforward method for cell sample preparation to allow a reliable image of the nanomaterials adhering to the surface, using scanning electron microscopy
    Analytical and Nanoanalytical Methods for Biomedical and Environmental Sciences (IC-ANMBES 2022), 8-10 June 2022, Brașov, Romania (oral presentation)
  • H. Chiriac, A. Minuti, C. Stavila, L. Labusca, D.-D. Herea, N. Lupu
    STEM cells carriers of Fe-Cr-Nb-B ferromagnetic particles for cancer cell destruction by magneto-mechanical actuation
    13th International Conference on the Scientific and Clinical Applications of Magnetic Carriers, 14-17 June 2022, London, UK (poster)
  • H. Chiriac, A. Minuti, A. Ghemes, D. Herea, L. Labusca, G. Stoian, N. Lupu
    Fe-Co soft magnetic nanowires for cancer cell destruction by magneto-mechanical actuation
    25th Soft Magnetic Materials Conference (SMM 25), 2-5 May 2022, Grenoble, France (oral presentation)
  • H. Chiriac, A.E. Minuti, N. Lupu
    Cancer cell destruction by magneto-mechanical actuation of nanowires compared with nano/micromagnetic particles
    67th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM 2022), 31 October – 4 November 2022, Mineapolis, MN, USA (poster)
  • H. Chiriac, A.-E. Minuti, C. Stavila, N. Lupu
    Magnetic nanowires versus nano/micro-particles for cancer cell destruction by magneto-mechanical actuation
    INTERMAG 2023, 15-19 May 2023, Sendai, Japan (poster)
  • H. Chiriac, C. Stavila, A.-E. Minuti, D.-D. Herea, N. Lupu
    Cancer cell death induced by magneto-mechanical actuation of Fe-Cr-Nb-B magnetic particles loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs, carried by Stem cells to the cancer cell area
    68th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM 2023), 30 October – 3 November 2023, Dallas, TX, USA (poster)
• Publications:
  • L. Labusca, D.-D. Herea, A. Minuti, C. Stavila, C. Danceanu, P. Plamadeala, H. Chiriac, N. Lupu
    Magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic field exposure enhances chondrogenesis of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells but not of Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cells
    Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 9 (2021) 737132 (IF = 6.064)
  • L. Labusca, C. Danceanu, A.-E. Minuti, D.-D. Herea, A. Ghemes, C. Rotarescu, O. Dragos-Pinzaru, M. Tibu, M. Gigoras; H. Chiriac, N. Lupu
    Magnetic nanowires substrate increases adipose derived mesenchymal cells osteogenesis
    Scientific Reports 12(1) (2022) 16698 (IF = 4.6)
  • O.-G. Dragos-Pinzaru, G. Buema, D.-D. Herea, H. Chiriac, N. Lupu, A.-E. Minuti, G. Stoian, D. Shore, V.C. Pierre, I. Tabakovic, B.J.H. Stadler
    Synthesis and characterization of gold-shell magnetic nanowires for theranostic applications
    Coatings 12(11) (2022) 1755 (IF = 3,4)
  • A.-E. Minuti, L. Labusca, D.-D. Herea, G. Stoian, H. Chiriac, N. Lupu
    A simple protocol for sample preparation for Scanning Electron Microscopic imaging allows quick screening of nanomaterials adhering to cell surface
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(1) (2023) 430 (IF = 5.6)
  • H. Chiriac, A.E. Minuti, C. Stavila, D.-D. Herea, L. Labusca, G. Ababei, G. Stoian, N. Lupu
    Fe-Cr-Nb-B magnetic particles and adipose-derived mesenchymal cells trigger cancer cell apoptosis by magneto-mechanical actuation
    Nanomaterials 13(22) (2023) 2941 (IF = 5.3)
• Patents:
  • Nanocompozit magnetic cu proprietăți antitumorale și antibacteriene pentru terapii antitumorale
    Inventors: Horia Chiriac, Dumitru-Daniel Herea, Nicoleta Lupu
    Patent Application No. A00726/23.11.2023, registered at OSIM
• Book Chapters:
  • H. Chiriac, A.-E. Minuti, D.-D. Herea, L. Labusca, N. Lupu
    Magneto-mechanical actuation of magnetic particles for cancer therapy
    In “Magnetic Sensors and Actuators in Medicine”, 1st Edition, 15 July 2023, Eds.: Horia Chiriac and Nicoleta Lupu, Woodhead Publishing - Elsevier, ISBN: 9780128232941, eBook ISBN: 9780128236000, Chapter 9, pp. 227-258.
  • D.-D. Herea, L. Labusca, N. Lupu, H. Chiriac
    Magnetic particles for drug delivery
    In “Magnetic Sensors and Actuators in Medicine”, 1st Edition, 15 July 2023, Eds.: Horia Chiriac and Nicoleta Lupu, Woodhead Publishing - Elsevier, ISBN: 9780128232941, eBook ISBN: 9780128236000, Chapter 10, pp. 259-304.
  • L. Labusca, D.-D. Herea, H. Chiriac, N. Lupu
    Magnetic sensors for regenerative medicine
    In “Magnetic Sensors and Actuators in Medicine”, 1st Edition, 15 July 2023, Eds.: Horia Chiriac and Nicoleta Lupu, Woodhead Publishing - Elsevier, ISBN: 9780128232941, eBook ISBN: 9780128236000, Chapter 14, pp. 401-434.

YEARLY/FINAL SHORT SUMMARY REPORTS

• Short Summary of the 2021 S&T Report (Dec. 2021)
• Short Summary of the 2022 S&T Report (Dec. 2022)
• Short Summary of the Final Report (Dec. 2023)

CONTACT DETAILS
Prof. Dr. Horia CHIRIAC (Principal Investigator)
National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics
47 Mangeron Boulevard
700050 Iași, Romania
Email: hchiriac [at] phys-iasi.ro
Tel: 0232 43 06 80 (int. 203)