Long-Circulating Iodinated Albumin–Gadolinium Nanoparticles as Enhanced Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging Probes for Osteosarcoma Visualization

Abstract

Multimodal imaging probes represent an extraordinary tool for accurate diagnosis of diseases due to the complementary advantages of multiple imaging modalities. The purpose of the work was to fabricate a simple dual-modality MR/CT probe for osteosarcoma visualization in vivo. Protein-directed synthesis methods offer a suitable alternative to MR/CT probe produced by synthetic chemistry. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) bound to gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs) was first prepared via a biomimetic synthesis method and was subsequently iodinated by chloramine-T method. The final iodinated BSA-GdNPs (I-BSA-GdNPs) showed excellent chemical stability and biocompatibility, intense X-ray attenuation coefficient, and good MR imaging ability. However, an iodinated protein nanoparticles synthesis for MR/CT imaging, as well as its useful application, has not been reported yet. Intravenous injection of I-BSA-GdNPs into orthotopic osteosarcoma-bearing rats led to its accumulation and retention by the tumor, allowing for a noninvasive tumor dual-modality imaging through the intact thigh. The long-circulating dual-model I-BSA-GdNPs probes possess potential application for image-guided drug delivery and image-guided surgery. Our study is therefore highlighting the properties of albumin in this field combined with its useful use in dual-model MR/CT osteosarcoma visualization, underlining its potential use as a drug carrier for a future therapy on cancer.

Biomineralized Gd2O3@HSA Nanoparticles as a Versatile Platform for Dual‐Modal Imaging and Chemo‐Phototherapy‐Synergized Tumor Ablation

“…The T 1 ‐weighted mapping exhibited Gd concentration‐dependent brightness of high contrast with a longitudinal relaxation rate ( r 1 ) of 13.75 m m −1 s −1 , indicating an evident increase as compared to that of Gd‐DTPA (3.63 m m −1 s −1 ) (Figure S8, Supporting Information). Noteworthily, PIGH NPs exhibited stronger signals than the clinical contrast agent (Gd‐DTPA), which might result from the formation of Gd 2 O 3 nanocrystals in PIGH NPs with relatively suitable size …”

Evaluation of X‐ray tomography contrast agents: A review of production, protocols, and biological applications

“…CT investigation shows that nanoparticles have a significant attenuation effect with increasing densities; MRI investigation shows that nanoparticles have higher r weighting value than commercially available Ferumoxtran‐10 (Sinerem) contrast agent and almost equal to Endorem. Further studies for Gd nanoparticles as MRI/CT dual modeling agent were reported by Wang et al () and Zheng et al (). Wang coated the Gd nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and functionalized the coating with iodine that spheric monodisperse 2.5 ± 0.3 nm I‐BSA‐Gd nanoparticles were obtained with excellent stability with high magnetic resonance.…”

Advanced Nanotechnology Leading the Way to Multimodal Imaging‐Guided Precision Surgical Therapy

“…Fortunately, the development and application of molecular imaging technologies in biomedicine for theranostics enable precise real-time IGS. [213] I-BSA-GdNPs demonstrated a long circulating time as the enhanced MRI/CT signals lasted over 24 h after intravenous injection. Therefore, CT, MRI, and PET/SPECT are still the major preoperative imaging methods for most cancer patients.…”