Iohexol functionalized Si-Ag:Mn3O4 hybrid nanoparticles based contrast agent for computed tomography imaging

Increased Sensitivity of Computed Tomography Scan for Neoplastic Tissues Using the Extracellular Vesicle Formulation of the Contrast Agent Iohexol

“…Iohexol, the most used radiopaque contrast agent worldwide, is administered intravenously and remains in the bloodstream until it is excreted in the urine; therefore, the poor accumulation observed in the neoplastic tissue is mainly dictated by the tumor vascularization. Some previous studies that tested nanoparticles with incorporated iohexol in X-ray-based imaging showed higher iohexol concentration and retaining time within the tumoral tissue in comparison to the free iohexol [37][38][39]. Concerning the retention time, these other studies described a CT contrast still visible at 4 h [39] and 6 h [38] post injection.…”

“…In the past decade, nanoparticles (NPs) have been tested as CT contrast agents with the intent of overcoming the abovementioned limitations of iodinated small molecular contrast agents [35,36]. In particular, a few studies focused on creating iohexol-integrated nanoparticles, which exhibited protracted retention within the tumor bed, increase in CT contrast, and longer circulation time [37][38][39]. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has so far evaluated the iohexol formulation with EVs, although their biocompatibility and tumor-targeting properties, as well as their ability to selective delivering their content to the neoplastic tissue, make them particularly attractive to obtain a stronger and longer-lasting contrast signal for the iohexol CT. We here provide a preclinical proof-ofprinciple of a new imaging methodology based on the tumor-targeting ability of PDEVs that led to an impressive accumulation of iohexol selectively in the neoplastic tissue, thus greatly enhancing the ability of the contrast agent to delineate tumor boundaries.…”

Biogenic synthesis of novel nanomaterials and their applications

“…29 Nanomaterials have been reported to mitigate the drawbacks of some conventional contrast agents, such as nonspecific localization and detection, low enhancement, short retention in the blood, and high concentration. 30 Nanomaterials can permeate tumors much easier, they are retained for longer periods, and can be designed to target specific cells. Their unique sizes also impact cellular uptake, tumor targeting, biodistribution, and the half-life of the contrast agent circulation in the blood, leading to improved medical images.…”