Abstract
Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They have been extensively investigated as CAs due to their high biocompatibility and excellent magnetic properties. Furthermore, the ease of functionalization of their surfaces with different types of ligands (antibodies, peptides, sugars, etc.) opens up the possibility of carrying out molecular MRI. Thus, IONPs functionalized with epithelial growth factor receptor antibodies, short peptides, like RGD, or aptamers, among others, have been proposed for the diagnosis of various types of cancer, including breast, stomach, colon, kidney, liver or brain cancer. In addition to cancer diagnosis, different types of IONPs have been developed for other applications, such as the detection of brain inflammation or the early diagnosis of thrombosis. This review addresses key aspects in the development of IONPs for MRI applications, namely, synthesis of the inorganic core, functionalization processes to make IONPs biocompatible and also to target them to specific tissues or cells, and finally in vivo studies in animal models, with special emphasis on tumor models.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the main in vivo imaging modalities, along with positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound imaging
Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been investigated most extensively as contrast agents (CAs) for MRI due to their magnetic properties, that is, the superparamagnetism that leads to very high relaxivity, their high biocompatibility, since they can be incorporated into iron metabolism, and the easy functionalization of their surfaces with target molecules for molecular imaging purposes [2]
Luong et al [229] designed a promising theranostic agent based on the combination of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and a hydrophobic anticancer drug loaded in a PAMAM dendrimer decorated with folic acid (FA)
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the main in vivo imaging modalities, along with positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound imaging. Over the past two decades, many studies have aimed at the development of new magnetic nanomaterials that can serve to improve the diagnosis and treatment of many different diseases. Among these nanomaterials, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been investigated most extensively as CAs for MRI due to their magnetic properties, that is, the superparamagnetism that leads to very high relaxivity, their high biocompatibility, since they can be incorporated into iron metabolism, and the easy functionalization of their surfaces with target molecules for molecular imaging purposes [2]. We describe the recent advances in regard to the synthesis, functionalization and in vivo applications of IONPs as MRI CAs for the diagnosis of several pathologies, with special emphasis on cancer diagnosis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
