Engineered gadolinium-based nanomaterials as cancer imaging agents. (September 2020) - Zeng, Yujun
Highlights: Gadolinium is a lanthanide element that has been widely used in clinical practice as imaging agents. Recent progress of engineered gadolinium- and its hybrid nanomaterials as cancer imaging agents have been summarized. Different engineered strategies, including novel synthesis methods of materials, have also been introduced. Improved imaging performance and even multi-modality imaging ability can be realized in the gadolinium-based hybrid nanocomposites. Their toxicity issues are elaborated discussed in the hope of their future clinical transformation. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract Abstract: Gadolinium (Gd) based nanoparticles have been employed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) imaging due to the specific paramagnetic property and the high X-ray attenuation coefficient of Gd. Similarly to Gd, other elements ( e.g., gold)-based nanocomposites have been applied to optical imaging, CT imaging, and other imaging modalities. By combining the strengths of these elements, Gd hybrids-based nanocomposites have been prepared for multi-modal imaging by tuning the size, shape, composition, and surface functionalization/coating. These nanosystems may be further loaded with imaging probes, nucleic acids, anticancer drugs, photosensitizers, and other functional moieties to accurately delineate the cancerous tissue, specifically deliver therapeutic agents to eliminate tumor cells and real-time monitor cellular responses to these drugs. To best of our knowledge, there is no systematical review of Gd-hybrid-based nanocomposites. Herein, we summarize advances in preparation and engineering of Gd and its hybrid-based nanocomposites for cancer imaging and highlight challenges in synthesis and application of these nanoscale agents. Importantly, their toxicity issues and engineering strategies to reduce their toxicity are elaborated. Clinical translation of Gd-based hybrid nanocomposites into practices could be realized from joint efforts of interdisciplinary scientists.