Multi-mode biodegradable tumour-microenvironment sensitive nanoparticles for targeted breast cancer imaging
Zhenhui Nie, Ningbin Luo, Junjie Liu, Xinyi Zeng, Yu Zhang, Danke Su
Abstract
Abstract Gas-filled ultrasound (US) contrast agents easily collapse in the body, and the gas can easily overflow, which limits the effectiveness of US imaging. To address this issue, an injectable gas-generating multi-mode system was developed that carries the MR negative contrast agent Fe 3 O 4 , the fluorescent dye Cy5.5, and the CO 2 releasing donor (Na 2 CO 3 ). The nanoparticles can continuously generate carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas in acidic tumour tissue in the body, giving the tumour a strong echo signal under ultrasonic imaging. In addition, the nanoparticles confer excellent effects for MR and fluorescence imaging of the tumour tissue. The results indicate that this pH-responsive NP system provides good effects in MR/US/fluorescent imaging. This study provides a useful reference for multi-mode tumour imaging.