Ease of synthesis, controllable sizes, and in vivo large-animal-lymph migration of polymeric nanoparticles

Polymeric nanoparticles were synthesized using both a photoinduced and base-catalyzed free radical polymerization method. These mild room temperature approaches allow sensitive molecules, such as dyes, to be encapsulated. Using this method, near infrared dye loaded nanoparticles for lymphatic migration and lymph nodes localization were synthesized. After injection into a large animal, we observed migration of the nanoparticles over 20 cm to the sentinel lymph. Nanoparticle migration was observed for nanoparticles of 50 nm but not 100 nm in diameter. These investigations further support the development of new materials and clinical approaches to treat cancer including identification of nodal disease, characterization of the extent of disease, and establishment of treatment regimes.