Exploring a new SPION-based MRI contrast agent with excellent water-dispersibility, high specificity to cancer cells and strong MR imaging efficacy

- A new strategy for exploring SPION-based MRI contrast agents with excellent water-dispersibility and high specificity to cancer cells.
- The synthesized SPION is entrapped into autofluorescent albumin nanospheres (AN).
- The folic acid (FA) is conjugated onto the surface of SPION-loaded AN (SPION-AN) to increase the specificity to cancer cells.
- The autofluorescence of AN might provide MRI contrast agents additional attributes like fluorescence imaging in cells and tissues.