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The significance of nanoparticles in brain cancer diagnosis and treatment: modeling and simulation

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M I. Badawi at Pharos University
M I. Badawi
Karim S Hafez
Karim S Hafez
Karim S Hafez
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Abstract and Figures

A numerical analysis of specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature distributions in a realistic human head model is presented in this study. The key challenge is to rise cancer temperature to an optimal temperature without heating nearby healthy tissues. The model's uniqueness is that it captures the effect of nanoparticles on both brain cancer diagnosis and treatment. A realistic human head model with a cancerous brain segmented from 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gained from an actual patient using 3D Slicer, modeled, and simulated using CST-Microwave Studio, and illuminated by Archimedes spiral antenna. At frequencies of 2450 MHz and 915 MHz, the model simulated the absence and presence of various nanoparticles. The obtained results suggest that when using nanoparticles, it is possible to achieve sufficient energy deposition and temperature rise to therapeutic values (greater than 42o C) in brain cancers using the proposed noninvasive hyperthermia system at 915 MHz frequency, especially for gold nanoparticles, without harming surrounding healthy tissue. Our research might pave the way for a clinical applicator prototype that can heat brain cancer.
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Biomed. Phys. Eng. Express 8(2022)035025 https://doi.org/10.1088/2057-1976/ac6629
PAPER
The significance of nanoparticles in brain cancer diagnosis and
treatment: modeling and simulation
Mohamed I Badawi and Karim S Hafez
Biomedical Equipment Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt
E-mail: mi.badawi@pua.edu.eg
Keywords: hyperthermia, brain cancer, nanoparticles, modelling of microwave systems, antenna
Supplementary material for this article is available online
Abstract
A numerical analysis of specific absorption rate (SAR)and temperature distributions in a realistic
human head model is presented in this study. The key challenge is to rise cancer temperature to an
optimal temperature without heating nearby healthy tissues. The model’s uniqueness is that it
captures the effect of nanoparticles on both brain cancer diagnosis and treatment. A realistic human
head model with a cancerous brain segmented from 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)gained
from an actual patient using 3D Slicer, modeled, and simulated using CST-Microwave Studio, and
illuminated by Archimedes spiral antenna. At frequencies of 2450 MHz and 915 MHz, the model
simulated the absence and presence of various nanoparticles. The obtained results suggest that when
using nanoparticles, it is possible to achieve sufficient energy deposition and temperature rise to
therapeutic values (greater than 42 °C)in brain cancers using the proposed noninvasive hyperthermia
system at 915 MHz frequency, especially for gold nanoparticles, without harming surrounding healthy
tissue. Our research might pave the way for a clinical applicator prototype that can heat brain cancer.
1. Introduction
Cancer is a condition in which cells grow out of control.
Despite advancements in early identification and treat-
ment, it still kills many people throughout the world
and is a public health problem [1,2]. Brain cancer
affects both the tissues that control our bodies and our
self-identity [3,4]. The most common treatments for
brain cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radio-
therapy. Because of their low selectivity, chemotherapy
and radiotherapy are frequently linked to significant
side effects in healthy tissue and cells [1,5]. Also, brain
surgery is limited due to complex attempts to spare
healthy brain cells during cancer removal. The blood-
brain barrier (BBB)blocks most substances from
getting through the skull tissues, limiting drug use. The
majority of treatment ideas that appear promising in
the lab fail in human trials, suggesting that brain cancer
models need to be improved [4].
Hyperthermia, compared with conventional cancer
treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, has been
successful in many cancer treatments. It’s one of the most
promising cancer therapies currently available, in which
heat is used to destroy cancer cells or make them more
susceptible to radiation and chemotherapy [6,7].How-
ever, the major problem is to heat cancer to the optimal
temperature while avoiding scorching healthy tissues in
the surrounding area [8–10]. Recently, nanoparticle
(NPs)technology and its use in hyperthermia have
enabled more accurate control of the thermal energy
delivered to the cancer location by allowing for more
selective heating and lower thermal doses [11,12].Using
NPs hyperthermia leads in more efficient cancer elimina-
tion and less damage of healthy tissue in the surrounding
area [10,13]. Likewise, the multifunction of NPs
improves the imaging process for brain cancer treatment,
which enables early diagnosis [14].BecausegoldNPsare
effective contrast agents for cancer detection, they draw
interest in targeted hyperthermia therapy and increase
imaging capabilities. There are several significant obsta-
cles to overcome, including the need for a thorough
knowledge of NPs behavior prior to clinical trials and the
creation of more effective NPs treatments [15]. Therefore,
computational and modeling study is the principal tool
for solving these challenges and improving nanotechnol-
ogy-based hyperthermia treatment.
RECEIVED
23 September 2021
REVISED
11 February 2022
ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION
11 April 2022
PUBLISHED
22 April 2022
© 2022 IOP Publishing Ltd
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