Abstract
In order to delineate the location of the tumor both before and during operation, we developed targeted bi-functional polymeric micelles for magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence imaging in liver tumors. Hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were loaded into the polymeric micelles through self-assembly of an amphiphilic block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ϵ-caprolactone). After, transferrin (Tf) and near-infrared fluorescence molecule Cy5.5 were conjugated onto the surface of the polymeric micelles to obtain the nanosized probe SPIO@PEG-b-PCL-Tf/Cy5.5 (SPPTC). Imaging capabilities of this nanoprobe were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The accumulation of SPPTC in HepG2 cells increased over SPIO@PEG-b-PCL-Cy5.5 (SPPC) by confocal microscopy. The targeted nanoprobe SPPTC possessed favorable properties on the MR and fluorescence imaging both in vitro and in vivo. The MTT results showed that the nanoprobes were well tolerated. SPPTC had the potential for pre-operation evaluation and intra-operation navigation of tumors in clinic.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been extensively used in the diagnosis of human cancers for its high spatial resolution [1]
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are the well-known MRI contrast agent which can be used to monitor in vivo events [5]
After the SPIONs were being encapsulated into the micelles, the size of SPIO@PEG-b-PCL was approximately 169.3 nm (Figure 1b)
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been extensively used in the diagnosis of human cancers for its high spatial resolution [1]. Optical imaging, especially near-infrared fluorescence imaging, offers high sensitivity [2,3]. The low spatial resolution of optical imaging limits its applications in clinical fields [4]. The combination of MRI and optical imaging can compensate for these drawbacks and provide images of the tumor at both pre-surgical planning stage and surgical resection stage. Such dual modal imaging will fill the gap between preoperative imaging and intra-operative reality.
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