High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-Based Nanoparticles for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by ¹⁹F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging

Abstract

Two important challenges in the field of F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the maintenance of high fluorine content without compromising imaging performance, and effective targeting of small particles to diseased tissue. To address these challenges, we have developed a series of perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based hyperbranched (HBPFPE) nanoparticles with attached peptide aptamer as targeting ligands for specific in vivo detection of breast cancer with highF MRI sensitivity. A detailed comparison of the HBPFPE nanoparticles (NPs) with the previously reported trifluoroethyl acrylate (TFEA)-based polymers demonstrates that the mobility of fluorinated segments of the HBPFPE nanoparticles is significantly enhanced (F T > 80 ms vs 31 ms), resulting in superior MR imaging sensitivity. Selective targeting was confirmed by auto- and pair correlation analysis of fluorescence microscopy data, in vitro immunofluorescence, in vivo F MRI, ex vivo fluorescence andF NMR. The results highlight the high efficiency of aptamers for targeting and the excellent sensitivity of the PFPE moieties for F MRI. Of relevance to in vivo applications, the PFPE-based polymers exhibit much faster clearance from the body than the previously introduced perfluorocarbon emulsions ( t ∼ 20 h vs up to months). Moreover, the aptamer-conjugated NPs show significantly higher tumor-penetration, demonstrating the potential of these imaging agents for therapeutic applications. This report of the synthesis of polymeric aptamer-conjugated PFPE-based F MRI CAs with high fluorine content (∼10 wt %) demonstrates that these NPs are exciting candidates for detecting diseases with high imaging sensitivity.

Integrating Fluorinated Polymer and Manganese‐Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles as pH‐activated 19F MRI Agents for Specific and Sensitive Detection of Breast Cancer

“…The formation of small aggregates in aqueous solution does not adversely influence the 19 F MR imaging performance even at high polymer concentrations (as evidenced by the long 19 F T 2 and intense 19 F NMR signal) in buffer solution with 10% fetal bovine serum (Table S1 and Figure S2, Supporting Information). Such observations are consistent with our previous studies . In this polymer, the fluorine content was ≈16.7 wt%, which is important for achieving high 19 F MR imaging sensitivity …”

Photopolymerization of maleimide perfluoropolyalkylethers without a photoinitiator

“…They are not crystalline and are stable from −100 and 400 °C in the liquid state . Moreover, they are attractive for use since they are non‐toxic fluoropolymers in comparison to some perfluoroalkyl chains and therefore can be employed in biomedical applications …”

Facile fabrication of water-dispersible nanocomposites based on hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene and Fe3O4 for dual mode imaging (fluorescent/MR) and drug delivery

“…Multifunctional nanostructures have attracted wide attention, such as the combination of magnetic nanoparticles and uorescence nanoparticles or molecules yields a bi-functional nanocomposites for uorescence imaging and MR imaging. [32][33][34] Although multifunctional nanocarriers combined with imaging and therapy has reported in many literatures, this work also has advantages. Compared with the previous publications, this work developed a trifunctional nanocomposites not only for cancer diagnosis via MR/uorescence dual modal imaging but also can load drug molecules for cancer therapy.…”