Silica based nanostructured biomaterials for hiperthermia and as MRI contrast agents

Simion Simon

Abstract

Silica based nanostructured biomaterials for hiperthermia and as MRI contrast agents

Recently, in the field of materials science with medical
applications the major challenge is the synthesis of new
materials that can be used for both diagnosis and therapy,
especially in the treatment of cancer disease. Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive powerful tool
used in medicine to diagnose tumours, nerve and meniscus
lesions or blood vessels condition. In certain situations,
the use of contrast agents is required for diagnostic
accuracy. Contrast agents that besides contrast properties
in magnetic resonance can also be used for targeted
treatments of the diseases could be called ”theranostic”
MRI Contrast agents. The silica based particles have
being obtained by sol-gel, freeze drying and spay drying
(1-3) methods. Structural and morphological characterization
of the obtained samples were realized by means
of Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermogravimetric
Analysis (DTA/TGA), Transmission and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (TEM and SEM), Fourier-Transform
Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
(XPS), Magic Angle Spinning-Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance (MAS-NMR) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance
(EPR) spectroscopies. Their properties as MRI
contrast agents were tested, in vitro and in vivo, by using
a preclinical 7 T Bruker scanner.