Magnetic polymeric nanoassemblies for magnetic resonance imaging-combined cancer theranostics

Abstract

Cancer has become one of the primary causes of death worldwide. Current cancer-therapy schemes are progressing relatively slowly in terms of reducing mortality, prolonging survival, time and enhancing cure rate, owing to the enormous obstacles of cancer pathophysiology. Therefore, specific diagnosis and therapy for malignant tumors are becoming more and more crucial and urgent, especially for early cancer diagnosis and cancer-targeted therapy. Derived theranostics that combine several functions into one “package” could further overcome undesirable differences in biodistribution and selectivity between distinct imaging and therapeutic agents. In this article, we discuss a chief clinical diagnosis tool – MRI – focusing on recent progress in magnetic agents or systems in multifunctional polymer nanoassemblies for combing cancer theranostics. We describe abundant polymeric MRI-contrast agents integrated with chemotherapy, gene therapy, thermotherapy, and radiotherapy, as well as other developing directions.

Aminodextran Coated CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles for Combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Hyperthermia

“…T2 contrast agents based on colloids containing magnetic nanoparticles can induce decay in signal intensity and shortening of spin-spin relaxation time to exhibit excellent MRI diagnostics characteristics [36][37][38]. Variation in T2 intensities for specific tissues enables differentiation from each other since water can appear lighter as compared to fat tissues [39]. Furthermore, magnetic contrast agents produce a noticeable change in the relaxation time of hydrogen atoms present in body tissues.…”

A Review on the Design of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as MRI Contrast Agents

“…A very broad range of nanoparticular MRI systems have been reported in the literature. Although several reviews have summarized the use of materials such as silica [11][12][13], polymers [14,15], or inorganic [16,17] nanoplatforms like CAs for MRI, the use of carbon-based nano-systems has been sparsely discussed. Hence, in this review, we discuss recent applications regarding the use of carbon-based nano-systems (such as carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles of diamonds, and fullerenes) as platforms for the loading or encapsulation of paramagnetic species and their subsequent use as CAs for MRI.…”

Application of Nanoparticles in the Process of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

“…This means can not only reduce the amount of contrast agent, but also increase the sensitivity of the imaging. In addition, superpara magneticiron oxidenano particles (SPIONs) [9], another important type of nanoparticles, are also modified with specific ligands to…”

“…It has also been reported that photo hyperthermia combined with magnetic hyperthermia for greater effect. In the case of multifunctional silver/magnetite nanophere (Ag/Fe3O4), the presence of an external magnetic field and simultaneous laser irradiation produce more heat to kill cancer cells [9].…”