Jyoti
Lodhia1, Dodie Pouniotis2, Giovanni Mandarano1,
Peter Eu, 1,3, Simon Cowell1
1Medical Radiations Research Group,
School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 2Cancer
and Tissue Repair Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, RMIT
University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 3Centre for Molecular
Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
MRI
is a high spatial resolution non-invasive technique but it has low
specificity for targeting explicit pathologies. To achieve a more targeted
delivery an MRI contrast agent must be biocompatible, have high chemical
stability, be easily functionalised and retain a high net magnetisation
value.This study using a highly efficient biocompatible iron oxide
nanoparticle with well defined magnetic properties (80emu/g and a T2 of 235.5
mmol-1l s-1) was able to specifically target and image a cancer. The results
demonstrated the potential for targeted iron oxide silica nanoparticles in
the MRI of specific pathologies.