Superparamagnetic colloidal nanocrystalclusters coated with polyethylene glycol fumarate: a possible novel theranostic agent

Abstract

We report cell endocytosis, drug release, NMR relaxometry and in vitro MRI studies on a novel class of superparamagnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs) with various biocompatible coatings. It is shown that the transverse relaxivity r₂, the parameter representing the MRI efficiency in negative contrast agents, for the PVA-coated, PEGF-coated, and crosslinked PEGF-coated CNCs, is high enough to contrast suitably the magnetic resonance images. The same samples have shown a good ability also in drug releasing (particularly the crosslinked PEGF-coated compound), thus finally allowing us to propose this class of compounds for future applications in theranostics.