Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have a wide range of applications; an area of particular interest is magnetic particle imaging (MPI). MPI is an imaging modality that utilizes superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIONs) as tracer particles to produce highly sensitive and specific images in a broad range of applications, including cardiovascular, neuroimaging, tumor imaging, magnetic hyperthermia and cellular tracking. While there are hurdles to overcome, including accessibility of products, and an understanding of safety and toxicity profiles, MPI has the potential to revolutionize research and clinical biomedical imaging. This review will explore a brief history of MPI, MNP synthesis methods, current and future applications, and safety concerns associated with this newly emerging imaging modality.
Highlights
We will emphasize the role that magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) play within magnetic particle imaging (MPI), as MPI has emerged as a promising non-invasive imaging technique [3]
Their work relied on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect that is understood to allow nanoparticles to preferentially accumulate in tumors due to the leaky vasculature of the tumor [33,51]. They were able to demonstrate preferential accumulation of the particles within the tumors, with particles present within the tumor up to six days post injection, and a dose dependent increase in concentration of the tracer in blood. These findings provide confidence in the EPR effect and the quantitative abilities of MPI in vivo
MPI offers some distinct advantages compared to current imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), bioluminescence imaging (BLI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
Summary
It is undeniable that the fields of science and medicine are advancing daily. As preventative medicine and therapeutics advance, there is a necessity for increased sensitivity and precision in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In the past one to two decades [1], a promising field has emerged, described by Sun et al [2] as a major class of nanoscale materials with the potential to revolutionize current clinical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. This is the field of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Much more research and development is required to allow MPI to reach its full potential and appropriate use for clinical imaging
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