Uniform Fe₃O₄/Gd₂O₃-DHCA nanocubes for dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

<jats:p>The multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has been extensively studied over the past few years since it offers complementary information that can increase diagnostic accuracy. Simple methods to synthesize contrast agents are necessary for the development of multimodal MRI. Herein, uniformly distributed Fe<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>/Gd<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> nanocubes for <jats:italic>T</jats:italic> <jats:sub>1</jats:sub>–<jats:italic>T</jats:italic> <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> dual-mode MRI contrast agents were successfully designed and synthesized. In order to increase hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, the nanocubes were coated with nontoxic 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid (DHCA). The results show that iron (Fe) and gadolinium (Gd) were homogeneously distributed throughout the Fe<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>/Gd<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-DHCA (FGDA) nanocubes. Relaxation time analysis was performed on the images obtained from the 3.0 T scanner. The results demonstrated that <jats:italic>r</jats:italic> <jats:sub>1</jats:sub> and <jats:italic>r</jats:italic> <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> maximum values were 67.57 ± 6.2 and 24.2 ± 1.46 mM<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>·s<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, respectively. In vivo <jats:italic>T</jats:italic> <jats:sub>1</jats:sub>- and <jats:italic>T</jats:italic> <jats:sub>2</jats:sub>-weighted images showed that FGDA nanocubes act as a dual-mode contrast agent enhancing MRI quality. Overall, these experimental results suggest that the FGDA nanocubes are interesting tools that can be used to increase MRI quality, enabling accurate clinical diagnostics.</jats:p>

Shape programmable T1–T2 dual-mode MRI nanoprobes for cancer theranostics

“…For efficiently improving the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of nanocubes, Qin et al further designed Fe 3 O 4 /Gd 2 O 3 nanocubes by coating the surface with non-toxic 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid. 69 Based on the analysis of the images obtained from a 3.0 T scanner, the values of r 1 and r 2 are 67.57 ± 6.2 and 24.2 ± 1.46 mM −1 s −1 respectively. Therefore, the Fe 3 O 4 /Gd 2 O 3 -DHAC nanocubes with good biocompatibility can be used as T 1 – T 2 dual-mode magnetic resonance contrast agents to better demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat tumors.…”

“…In addition, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid increased the dispersibility of the nanocubes, thus ensuring the stability of the nanocubes in the body. 69 In addition to enhancing the dispersion and biocompatibility of nanoprobes, surface modification also helps to improve targeting. Gao et al prepared tumor-penetrating peptide RGE modified Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @mSiO 2 /DOX-(Gd-DTPA) core-shell nanoparticles.…”

“…Li et al developed Fe 3 O 4 /Gd 2 O 3 nanocubes used as T 1 -T 2 dual-mode MRI contrast agents by a simple one-pot thermal decomposition method. 108 69 Based on the analysis of the images obtained from a 3.0 T scanner, the values of r 1 and r 2 are 67.57 ± 6.2 and 24.2 ± 1.46 mM −1 s −1 respectively. Therefore, the Fe 3 O 4 /Gd 2 O 3 -DHAC nanocubes with good biocompatibility can be used as T 1 -T 2 dual-mode magnetic resonance contrast agents to better demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat tumors.…”