MOESM1 of pH-responsive theranostic nanocomposites as synergistically enhancing positive and negative magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

Additional file 1. Additional figures, experimental details and parameters. Part S1: Preparation of Fe3O4@SiO2@PAA-cRGD; part S2, including the Fig. S1–S11: 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS, UV spectra and structure for compounds; part S3: Cell culture; part S4: Specific parameters of MR contrast properties test; part S5, including Table S1 and Fig. S12–16: Hydrodynamic diameters of the nanoparticles tested by DLS; part S6: Drug loading and in vitro release; part S7, including Fig. S17: Biodistributions tested by ICP-MS

Design and Synthesis of Fluorinated Amphiphile as ¹⁹F MRI/Fluorescence Dual-Imaging Agent by Tuning the Self-Assembly

Both ¹⁹F MRI and optical imaging are powerful noninvasive molecular imaging modalities in biomedical applications. To integrate these two complementary imaging modalities, the design and synthesis of a novel ¹⁹F MRI/fluorescence dual-modal imaging agent is reported herein. Through Sonogashira coupling reaction between the fluorinated phenylacetylene and 1,2,4,5-tetraiodobenzene, a fluorophore with 48 symmetrical fluorines at its periphery was constructed with high efficacy. High aqueous solubility was achieved by PEGylation of the fluorophore with monodisperse PEGs. However, an unexpected self-assembly of the PEGylated amphiphilic fluorophore in water “turned off” the ¹⁹F NMR signal. However, hydrogenation of the triple bonds or introduction of branched monodisperse PEGs was able to efficiently tune the self-assembly, resulting in the “turning on” of the ¹⁹F NMR signal. One of these amphiphiles combines the advantages of label-free fluorescence, high ¹⁹F MRI sensitivity, biocompatibility, and excellent aqueous solubility. The results demonstrate the great potential of such amphiphiles for real-time ¹⁹F MRI and fluorescence dual-modality imaging

Increasing Cancer Therapy Efficiency through Targeting and Localized Light Activation

Currently, the potential of cancer therapy is compromised by a variety of problems related to tumor specificity, drug access, and limited efficacy. We report a novel approach to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment utilizing a light-responsive nanoconstruct. Effectiveness is increased by enhancing drug absorption through heating and the production of free radicals. Treatment specificity is increased through chemical targeting of the nanoconstruct and localization of light delivery to the tumor. When reaching the tumor, magnetic resonance imaging is enhanced and near-infrared fluorescence is activated upon drug release, making it possible to visualize the localized treatment at both the tissue and cellular levels. This dual-modality imaging nanoconstruct enables the synergistic treatment and observable evaluation of solid tumors with dramatically improved efficacy, giving rise to a promising new approach for cancer therapy and evaluation