CT and MRI Imaging of Theranostic Bimodal Fe3O4@Au NanoParticles in Tumor Bearing Mice

Abstract

Gold-containing nanoparticles are proven to be an effective radiosensitizer in the radiotherapy of tumors. Reliable imaging of nanoparticles in a tumor and surrounding normal tissues is crucial both for diagnostics and for nanoparticle application as radiosensitizers. The Fe3O4 core was introduced into gold nanoparticles to form a core/shell structure suitable for MRI imaging. The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo bimodal CT and MRI enhancement ability of novel core/shell Fe3O4@Au theranostic nanoparticles. Core/shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles were synthesized and coated with PEG and glucose. C57Bl/6 mice bearing Ca755 mammary adenocarcinoma tumors received intravenous injections of the nanoparticles. CT and MRI were performed at several timepoints between 5 and 102 min, and on day 17 post-injection. Core/shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles provided significant enhancement of the tumor and tumor blood vessels. Nanoparticles also accumulated in the liver and spleen and were retained in these organs for 17 days. Mice did not show any signs of toxicity over the study duration. These results indicate that theranostic bimodal Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles are non-toxic and serve as effective contrast agents both for CT and MRI diagnostics. These nanoparticles have potential for future biomedical applications in cancer diagnostics and beyond.

Targeted Nanotheranostics: Integration of Preclinical MRI and CT in the Molecular Imaging and Therapy of Advanced Diseases

“…Based on these findings, theranostic bimodal Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles are a safe and effective contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Future biomedical uses of these nanoparticles may extend beyond cancer diagnosis 144 .…”

Core-Shell Fe3O4@C Nanoparticles as Highly Effective T2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

“…Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) have attracted considerable attention in many application areas, including environmental treatment [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], food analysis [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], biosensors [ 7 , 8 ], protein immobilization [ 9 ], targeted drug delivery [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], separation [ 15 , 16 , 17 ], magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], magnetofection [ 28 , 29 ], tissue engineering [ 30 ], and hyperthermia [ 31 , 32 ]. In particular, their good biocompatibility, as verified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [ 33 ], facilitates their commercialization.…”