Open AccessGadolinium‐containing carbon nanomaterials for magnetic resonance imaging: Trends and challenges
Author(s) -
RodríguezGalván Andrés,
Rivera Margarita,
GarcíaLópez Patricia,
Medina Luis A.,
Basiuk Vladimir A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.15065
Subject(s) - gadolinium , magnetic resonance imaging , biodistribution , nanomaterials , nephrogenic systemic fibrosis , contrast (vision) , nanotechnology , materials science , medicine , chemistry , computer science , radiology , biochemistry , metallurgy , in vitro , artificial intelligence
Gadolinium‐containing carbon nanomaterials are a new class of contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. They are characterized by a superior proton relaxivity to any current commercial gadolinium contrast agent and offer the possibility to design multifunctional contrasts. Intense efforts have been made to develop these nanomaterials because of their potential for better results than the available gadolinium contrast agents. The aim of the present work is to provide a review of the advances in research on gadolinium‐containing carbon nanomaterials and their advantages over conventional gadolinium contrast agents. Due to their enhanced proton relaxivity, they can provide a reliable imaging contrast for cells, tissues or organs with much smaller doses than currently used in clinical practice, thus leading to reduced toxicity (as shown by cytotoxicity and biodistribution studies). Their active targeting capability allows for improved MRI of molecular or cellular targets, overcoming the limited labelling capability of available contrast agents (restricted to physiological irregularities during pathological conditions). Their potential of multifunctionality encompasses multimodal imaging and the combination of imaging and therapy.