SBIR Phase I: Novel Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目是使用磁性氧化铁纳米线作为磁共振成像（MRI）阳性造影剂的可行性评估。每年大约有3000万次MRI扫描用于诊断或治疗目的。常规给予两种类型的造影剂以改变图像对比度：T1阳性造影剂-钆（Gd）复合物和T2阴性造影剂-氧化铁纳米颗粒。T1造影剂的较亮MR图像在临床上优于T2造影剂的较暗图像。T1 Gd基造影剂目前的问题是对肝脏和肾脏疾病患者以及婴儿的健康风险，并且难以保留在靶位置。由于氧化铁基T2造影剂通常被认为是安全的，并且可以通过正常的铁代谢途径被重吸收，因此如果它们可以用作T1造影剂，则可以提供安全性和成像有效性。纳米线的独特磁性为正性造影剂提供了巨大的潜力。研究目的是评估这些纳米线在临床相关条件下的潜力，从而获得安全有效的MRI造影剂。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是显著的。作为领先的成像方式，MRI仅在美国就产生了超过18.7亿美元的造影剂收入，增长率为12%。 MRI造影剂市场受到新应用需求增加、更快的扫描时间和更好的质量、人口老龄化和癌症事件增加的推动。这种MRI造影剂的潜在商业化为患有肝脏和肾脏疾病的患者提供了解决方案。纳米颗粒的靶向能力将在低得多的剂量下显著提高成像效率。这种造影剂将最终改善疾病检测、治疗监测和治疗效果，从而可能促进人类健康。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a feasibility assessment of using ultrathin magnetic iron oxide nanowires as positive contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each year, approximately 30 million MRI scans are performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purpose. Two types of contrast agents are routinely administrated to alter the image contrast: T1 positive contrast agents-gadolinium (Gd) complexes and T2 negative contrast agents-iron oxide nanoparticles. The brighter MR image of a T1 contrast agent is clinically preferred over the darker image of the T2 contrast agent. The current problems with the T1 Gd-based contrast agents is the health risk to patients with liver and kidney diseases, and babies, and are difficult to retain at target locations. Because iron oxide -based T2 contrast agents are generally accepted to be safe and can be reabsorbed through normal iron metabolic pathways, if they can be used as T1 contras agents, it could provide safety and imaging efficacy. The unique magnetic property of ultrathin nanowires offers great potential as positive contrast agent. The research objective is to evaluate the potential of these nanowires in clinical relevant conditions, leading to a safe and effective MRI contrast agent. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is significant. As the leading imaging modality, MRI generates contrast agent revenues of over $1.87 bn in the U.S. alone with growth rate of 12%. The MRI contrast agent market is driven by the increased demand on new applications, faster scan times and better quality, aging population, and increased cancer incident. The potential commercialization of such a MRI contrast agent offer a solution to patients with live and kidney diseases. The targeting capability of the nanoparticles will significantly improve the imaging efficiency at a much lower dose. This contrast agent will ultimately improve disease detection, therapeutic monitoring and treatment efficacy, potentially leading to the advancement of human health.