Ligand-Directed Nanobialys as Theranostic Agent for Drug Delivery and Manganese-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Vascular Targets

摘要

Noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging and targeted drug delivery systems, often referred to as theranostic agents, are being developed to enable improved detection, patient risk stratification, site-specific treatment, and longitudinal monitoring. One example of these agents, a gadolinium-based perfluoro-carbon nanoparticle, has been used to detect, characterize, treat, and follow angiogenesis in preclinical models of cancer and atherosclerosis.rnDespite the preclinical success of this and related nanotechnology platforms, the recent discovery of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a serious and unexpected side effect of gadolinium blood pool agents observed in some patients with renal disease or following liver transplant, has cast a shadow on currently approved MR contrast agents. Patients with NSF develop thickening of the skin and connective tissues that can inhibit arm and leg movements and even lead to bone fractures.