PEGylated GdF₃:Fe Nanoparticles as Multimodal T₁/T₂-Weighted MRI and X-ray CT Imaging Contrast Agents

Abstract

Contrast agents for multimodal imaging are in high demand for cancer diagnosis. To date, integration of T/T-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging capabilities in one system to obtain an accurate diagnosis still remains challenging. In this work, biocompatible PEGylated GdF:Fe nanoparticles (PEG-GdF:Fe NPs) were reasonable designed and synthesized as multifunctional contrast agents for efficient T/T-weighted MRI and X-ray CT multimodal imaging. Owing to the enhanced permeability and retention effect in vivo, strong T contrast, evident T contrast, and X-ray CT signals in a tumor lesion can be observed after intravenous injection of PEG-GdF:Fe NPs. Therefore, PEG-GdF:Fe NPs could be used as potential multimodal contrast agents for cancer diagnosis.

Local application of doxorubicin- loaded Iron oxid nanoparticles and the vascular disrupting agent via the hepatic artery: chemoembolization–photothermal ablation treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

“…Because the iron in Fe 2 O 3 -PDA-Dox nanoparticles possesses superparamagnetism at room temperature, Fe 2 O 3 -PDA-Dox carrying nanoparticles will generate a strong local magnetic field in the presence of an external magnetic field, which strongly influences the relaxation of hydrogen protons in the water molecules around the particles. This effect shortens the T2 time of the hydrogen protons and causes T2 weighted images to appear dark [7, 20]. We employed an in vitro experiment to further verify the ability of nanoparticles carrying Fe 2 O 3 -PDA to serve as negative contrast agents in MRI.…”

“…Fe 2 O 3 has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use as a metal nanomaterial [6] for such purposes. This paramagnetic material can significantly shorten the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lateral relaxation time, has a characteristic low signal in T2 imaging, can be used as a T2 negative-contrast agent [7], and allows for monitoring of nanoparticle distribution within the body. Polydopamine (PDA), a biopolymer commonly used for drug delivery, can be linked to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (Dox).…”

Recent Advances of Bioresponsive Nano-Sized Contrast Agents for Ultra-High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…Computed tomography (CT) and MRI can provide the unparalleled structural information, while CT and positron emission tomography (PET) can offer provide the insight into exploring the morphological and functional behaviors. Moreover, other combinations of multimodalities have been also attempted to resolve different upcoming issues in clinics., such as PET/MRI system into the dynamics of brain (Cho et al, 2008(Cho et al, , 2013, MRI and CT (Ni et al, 2016), MRI and optical imaging to explore the evolution from single molecule to nanostructures (Harris et al, 2019), triple-modal imaging of NIRF/CT/MRI (Pansare et al, 2012;Hu et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2020), and dual-modality of MRI and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), etc., (Dong et al, 2017;. Figure 6A shows the schematic procedures of preparing hybrid nanoparticles.…”

Progress in magnetic Fe3O4nanomaterials in magnetic resonance imaging

“…Although MRI/CT dual imaging is realized above, MRI involves single signal imaging, which cannot achieve the accuracy needed for tissue recognition. Zhang et al [134] wrapped GdF 3 and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with PEG to form weighted T 1 /T 2 signal and CT imaging capabilities to meet the high demand imposed by cancer diagnosis. In the mixed solution of ethylene glycol and water, PEG, Gd 3+ , Fe 3+ , and NH 4 F (as a catalyst) were added in turn to form PEG-coated GdF 3 :Fe nanoparticles at 100°C (length = 51.9 ± 6.1 nm, width = 31.3 ± 3.5 nm).…”