Multifunctional Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: MRI Contrast and Light Induced Dissolution

Abstract

A trend in the development of modern medical imaging is the introduction into clinical practice of devices that combine multiple modalities. For example, four imaging systems from different manufacturers that combine optoacoustics and ultrasound have already been approved for clinical use in the USA, China, and Japan. Combinations of optoacoustics and fluorescence, fluorescence, and X-rays are used for preclinical studies. An endoscopic system has been created that combines modalities such as OCT and optoacoustics [1]. The possibility of combining diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and optoacoustics has been demonstrated [2]. A device combining time-resolved fluorescence and optoacoustics is being developed [3]. For such systems, it is necessary to develop test systems for calibration [4], biological tissue phantoms [3], and multimodal contrast agents that provide multiple modalities, such as ultrasound, MRI, and optoacoustic [5]. The methods for obtaining contrast agents include the sequential adsorption method [5], the induced adsorption crystallization (IAC) method [6,7], and their combination [8,9]. Promising components that provide contrast in MRI are iron oxide nanoparticles [10], indocyanine green and its aggregates provide fluorescence and optoacoustic contrast [11]. The use of a gas or liquid core provides ultrasound contrast [5]. Indocyanine green and iron oxide nanoparticles can be used not only for visualization, but also for therapy.
It was found that maghemite nanoparticles with a size of 3.2±0.7 nm have the ability to T1-contrast at a level comparable to a commercially available contrast agent [10]. Maghemite nanoparticles were synthesized using a TetraQuant CR-1 automatic reactor. The synthesis, as well as the colloidal and magnetic properties of the MRI contrast, are described in [12]. It should be noted that iron oxide nanoparticle-based drugs have already been approved by the FDA for clinical use in the treatment of anemia (Feraheme) and for MRI contrast in glioblastomas (Ferabright). The toxicity and biodegradation of iron oxide particles are analyzed in detail in [13].
Light induced photodissolution of maghemite nanoparticles depends on wavelenght of light and ctric acid concentration. Iron ions demostrate the ability to switch on the ferroptosis of pathological cells. Therefore, it will allow us to combine the MRI contrast with the light triggered ferroptosis.
This work was supported by Russian Science Foundation (RSF) grant No 26-14-00273.
REFERENCES
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Speaker

Dmitry Gorin
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
Russia

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