Gadolinium (Gd) is a unique and powerful element in chemistry and biomedicine which can be applied simultaneously to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT), and neutron capture therapy for cancers. This...
moreGadolinium (Gd) is a unique and powerful element in chemistry and biomedicine which can be applied
simultaneously to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT), and neutron
capture therapy for cancers. This multifunctionality can be maximized using gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3)
nanoparticles (GNPs) because of the large amount of Gd per GNP, making both diagnosis and therapy (i.e.,
theragnosis) for cancers possible using only GNPs. In this study, the T1 MRI and CT dual imaging capability
of GNPs is explored by synthesizing various iodine compound (IC) coated GNPs (IC-GNPs). All the
IC-GNP samples showed stronger X-ray absorption and larger longitudinal water proton relaxivities (r1 5
26–38 s21mM21 and r2/r151.4–1.9) than the respective commercial contrast agents. In vivo T1MRand CT
images of mice were also acquired, supporting that the GNP is a potential dual imaging agent.
