Magnetic, biocompatible FeCO3 nanoparticles for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of in vivo lung tumors

Abstract

Background Late diagnosis of lung cancer is one of the leading causes of higher mortality in lung cancer patients worldwide. Significant research attention has focused on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based nano contrast agents to efficiently locate cancer tumors for surgical removal or disease diagnostics. Although contrast agents offer significant advantages, further clinical applications require improvements in biocompatibility, biosafety and efficacy. Results To address these challenges, we fabricated ultra-fine Iron Carbonate Nanoparticles (FeCO3 NPs) for the first time via modified literature method. Synthesized NPs exhibit ultra-fine size (~ 17 nm), good dispersibility and excellent stability in both aqueous and biological media. We evaluated the MR contrast abilities of FeCO3 NPs and observed remarkable T2 weighted MRI contrast in a concentration dependent manner, with a transverse relaxivity (r2) value of 730.9 ± 4.8 mM−1 S−1at 9.4 T. Moreover, the r2 values of present FeCO3 NPs are respectively 1.95 and 2.3 times higher than the clinically approved contrast agents Resovist® and Friedx at same 9.4 T MR scanner. FeCO3 NPs demonstrate an enhanced T2 weighted contrast for in vivo lung tumors within 5 h of post intravenous administration with no apparent systemic toxicity or induction of inflammation observed in in vivo mice models. Conclusion The excellent biocompatibility and T2 weighted contrast abilities of FeCO3 NPs suggest potential for future clinical use in early diagnosis of lung tumors. Graphical Abstract

Safe magnetic resonance imaging on biocompatible nanoformulations

“…To this end, our group demonstrated the use of ligand-free iron carbonate (FeCO 3 ) NPs for in vivo MRI imaging of lung tumors. 189 As shown in Fig. 10, the synthesized FeCO 3 NPs displayed excellent contrast abilities both in vitro and in vivo .…”

Machine learning reveals PANoptosis as a potential reporter and prognostic revealer of tumour microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma

“…Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death. 15,16 The development of LUAD, the main type of non-small cell lung cancer, 17 is not only associated with abnormal expression of proto-oncogenes and oncogenes and gene mutations in the classical sense, 18 but is also closely related to the immune system. Many studies have proposed that the cause of the efficacy of anti-immunotherapy should be sought in the tumour tissue, 19 hence the urgent need to find new biomarkers.…”

“…Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death 15,16 . The development of LUAD, the main type of non‐small cell lung cancer, 17 is not only associated with abnormal expression of proto‐oncogenes and oncogenes and gene mutations in the classical sense, 18 but is also closely related to the immune system.…”

Ligand free FeSn2 alloy nanoparticles for safe T2-weighted MR imaging of in vivo lung tumors

“…15 Recently, surfactant-free biocompatible iron carbonate (FeCO 3 ) NPs were investigated for in vivo MR imaging of lung tumors with greater efficacy with excellent biocompatibilities and opens a new path to develop ligand-free NPs for safe MR imaging. 16…”