Today, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the
most widely
applied noninvasive clinical imaging modalities with excellent applicability
in bio- and nanomedicine, particularly in specific detecting and high-quality
three-dimensional imaging of tumors/cancers. In this context, the
design of efficient nanoscale contrast agents (NCAs) for MRI with
high magnetic relaxivity and specificity/selectivity has garnered
immense interest deploying a variety of innovatively designed nanostructures.
Some important characteristics of NCAs such as biocompatibility, improved
relaxivity, high dispersibility, specific targeting, and low toxicity
make them ideal candidates for imaging/biosensing applications. The
hybridization and surface functionalization/modification of these
materials by applying suitable functional groups/agents can help to
improve their properties and multifunctionality. However, there is
still a long way to go in the clinical applications of these nanoagents
to serve as a substitute for Gd-based contrast agents or other commercial
materials. Importantly, nanotoxicological and biosafety issues of
these NCAs need to be systematically addressed both at pre- and clinical
stages; construction of smart multifunctional NCAs with clinical diagnostic
and imaging potentials is thus warranted. Herein, recent advancements
related to the diagnostic and imaging applications of MRI NCAs are
deliberated, focusing on important challenges and future directions.