Dendronized iron oxide: SUPERSPIO20 as MPI tracer and magnetic hyperthermia agent

Abstract

The rise of MPI technology has led to the growing development of equipment requiring the use of an optimized magnetic tracer for increased sensitivity and resolution. In addition, MPI technology paves the way for truly targeted tumour treatment using the field free point approach for focused magnetic hyperthermia. The need for a theranostic tracer is therefore essential for further preclinical and clinical development. Among the many methods of synthesizing nanoparticles, thermal decomposition is the method of choice for perfect control of the size, distribution, shape and composition of nanoparticles. Mastery of this method has led to the development of SuperSpio20, a dendronised iron oxide nanoparticle whose 20 nm iron oxide core has a first-order MPI signal and optimized heat release for focused mild hyperthermia. The controlled dendronized coating maintains a hydrodynamic diameter of less than 35 nm, allowing intravenous injection. This design also allows the labelling of therapeutic cells without the need for a transfection agent for the development of MPI-tracked cell therapies.