Hyperbranched lipopolymer-folate-stabilized manganese ferrite nanoparticles for the water-soluble targeted MRI contrast agent

Imaging cancer cells with nanostructures: Prospects of nanotechnology driven non-invasive cancer diagnosis

The application of nanostructured materials in medicine is a rapidly evolving area of research that includes both the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Metals, metal oxides and carbon-based nanomaterials have shown much promise in medical technological advancements due to their tunable physical, chemical and biological properties. The nanoscale properties, especially the size, shape, surface chemistry and stability makes them highly desirable for diagnosing and treating various diseases, including cancers. Major applications of nanomaterials in cancer diagnosis include in vivo bioimaging and molecular marker detection, mainly as image contrast agents using modalities such as radio, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound imaging. When a suitable targeting ligand is attached on the nanomaterial surface, it can help pinpoint the disease site during imaging. The application of nanostructured materials in cancer diagnosis can help in the early detection, treatment and patient follow-up . This review aims to gather and present the information regarding the application of nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis. We also discuss the challenges and prospects regarding the application of nanomaterials as cancer diagnostic tools.

Relaxivity of manganese ferrite nanoparticles

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles are superparamagnetic and have very high saturation magnetization, which makes them candidates for application as MRI contrast agents. Because these nanoparticles are very effective enhancers of transverse relaxation, they are particularly suitable as negative (T₂-weighted) contrast agents. The magnitude of the relaxivity of nanoparticulate Mn ferrites seems to be determined mainly by the method of preparation, their dimensions, and their saturation magnetization.