An Adaptable Nanoplatform for Integrating Anatomic and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging under a 3.0 T Magnetic Field

Abstract

It is well known that acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) is very important for tumor' growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. In addition, accurate diagnosis of the solid tumors' acidic microenviroment based on the precise location of their site is especially essential for the further treatment and prognostic evaluation of cancer. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for clinical cancer diagnosis, there are still enormous challenges left for developing MRI agents which integrate anatomic imaging for tumor site location with functional imaging for pH evaluation, especially for medium or high magnetic field machines. Herein, an innovative strategy is proposed to incorporate anatomic imaging (T 1weighted imaging, T 1 WI) with functional imaging (susceptibility weighted imaging, SWI) using one 3.0 T MRI scanner on an adaptable nanoplatform namely, NaGdF 4 @polydopamine@polyethylene glycol (PEG), which can self-aggregate under the specific low pH in TME to realize regulatory susceptibility. Moreover, the nanoplatform performs well in tumor accurately location as well as pH sensitively perception. Most importantly, the strategy not only fuses two MRI models on one nanoplatform using one 3.0 T machine to extend the application range but also provides a new insight for the design of other novel imaging agents.

Dandelion-Inspired Hierarchical Upconversion Nanoplatform for Synergistic Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy In Vitro

“…For more than a century, cancer has severely threatened human health. − At present, researchers are actively trying various methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment. − For recent years, nanotechnology-based composites have raised fanatic research. Due to the versatility of the nanocomposites, disease diagnosis and treatment integration can be achieved. − Chemotherapy is a more mature and effective method for clinical treatment.…”

Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis-Based In Vitro Detection of Critical Biomarkers

“…In recent years, the unique properties of nanoparticles have led to prosperity in nanoparticle-based in vitro assays of critical biomarkers. , These assays can be realized by monitoring the target-induced responses of the nanoparticles, including fluorescence intensity, − colorimetric response, − Raman scattering, − magnetic resonance, − and computed tomography signal . Although the nanoparticle-based biosensing methods have their own advantages, their versatility and prevalence remain hampered.…”

“…Toward this goal, dark-field microscopy (DFM) ,− and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) − have been widely used to fabricate particle counting-based bioassays because they can provide the absolute number of nanoparticles. However, the DFM can only be used for counting plasmonic nanoparticles; meanwhile, the TIRFM can only recognize fluorescent nanoparticles, restricting their application scenarios.…”

Accurate and Real-Time Temperature Monitoring during MR Imaging Guided PTT

“…Furthermore, functional MRI is qualified for sensitively monitoring the microenvironment of tumor. Recently, our group developed several multi-modal MRI CAs, through the marriage between anatomic MRI and functional MRI, which achieved accurate localization of tumor and detection of the tumor microenvironment (pH, blood vessel) [28][29][30] . Otherwise, few studies have been reported on combining anatomic MRI with functional MRI for real-time tumor temperature during PTT.…”

“…Furthermore, functional MRI is qualified for sensitively monitoring the microenvironment of a tumor. Recently, our group developed several multimodal MRI CAs, through the marriage between anatomic MRI and functional MRI, which achieved accurate localization of tumor tissue and detection of the tumor microenvironment (pH, blood vessel). − Otherwise, few studies have been reported on combining anatomic MRI with functional MRI for real-time tumor temperature monitoring during PTT. Magnetic resonance temperature imaging (MRTI), through a proton resonance frequency (PRF) method, can real-time and accurately monitor the temperature change in the target area, which is based on the linear relationship between temperature and phase. − However, the strong susceptibility brought by T 2 -MRI CAs will disturb the local phase and further inhibit the accuracy of monitoring temperature. , Therefore, it is a tough challenge to reasonably design MRI CAs that confirm the distribution and acquire accurate real-time temperature mapping during PTT on a single MRI machine.…”