Delivery of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine and ultrasound

Direct 99mTc Labeling of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (Doxil) for Pharmacokinetic and Non-Invasive Imaging Studies

“…One of the most frequently used 99m Tc-liposome labeling methods applied to liposome studies uses glutathione pre-encapsulated liposomes and 99m Tc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (Phillips et al, 1992;Tilcock, 1999). To study the in vivo behavior of pH or ammonium gradient liposomes trapping drug molecules, an ideal approach would be the labeling of radioisotopes directly into the inner space of liposomes via pH or ammonium gradient mechanism.…”

Towards new functional nanostructures for medical imaging

“…For example, liposomal and micelle-based nanostructures can carry contrast agents for virtually all modalities based on this principle. 15,17 Also, the structure of nanoscale constructs may accommodate payloads of mixed molecular or particulate agents within their volumes or on their surfaces.…”

“…The use and properties of different types of nanostructures as contrast agents have been extensively reviewed in the literature. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Thus, this review will not catalog all current nanoscale contrast agents, but will rather provide a general context for the existing literature for the nonspecialist, independent of imaging modality, disease, and/or nanostructure type, as well as speculate on future developments. We will introduce the underlying principles and challenges of nanoscale contrast agent development, with the aim of providing researchers a condensed blueprint upon which innovative new contrast agents can be rationally designed for clinical practice.…”

Micro- and nanobubbles: A versatile non-viral platform for gene delivery

“…Due to the presence of a central gas core, microbubbles suspended in a liquid are exceptionally efficient US reflectors. After the injection of aqueous suspensions of gas microbubbles into the bloodstream a strongly reinforced ultrasonic echography imaging occurred, thus aiding in the visualization of internal organs as for the detection of cardiovascular disorders and other diseases (Tilcock 1999, Lindner et al 2000a, Lindner et al 2000b, Lindner et al 2000c, Cavalieri et al 2006, Paradossi 2012). Due to their structure microbubbles are able to oscillate in the US pressure with the expansion and contraction of their volume.…”