MRI contrast agents toward cancer treatment: progress and perspectives

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Engineering

卷:21

Review

Fang Wang¹  Changye Zheng¹  Bihua Liu¹  Jiahao Wu¹  Xianxing Zhou²  Zhenghua Tang²  Lihua Xiao¹  Manqiu Liang¹  Bingchen Zhang¹  Yujian Zou¹ 

[1] New Energy Research Institute, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 510006, Guangzhou, China

[2] Department of Radiology, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan People’s Hospital), 523109, Dongguan, China

关键词: Magnetic resonance imaging;    Contrast agent;    Cancer treatment;    Recent progress;    Challenges and perspectives;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40712-026-00517-7

 received in 2026-04-10, accepted in 2026-06-26,  发布年份 2026

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a leading non-invasive imaging modality with high resolution and deep tissue penetration, and it has been widely used in clinical and preclinical cancer diagnosis and therapy. MRI contrast agents play an indispensable role in improving the imaging sensitivity and the contrast effect. This review first outlines the clinical significance of developing high-performance MRI contrast agents for cancer treatment, and summarizes the recent advances in four major categories: gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents, magnetic metal oxide nanomaterials, biomolecules-based contrast agents, and hybrid nanocomposites. Representative studies are selected to illustrate the structure-performance relationships at molecule level. The current challenges and future perspectives in this field are also critically discussed. This review is expected to stimulate further research efforts and promote the clinical translation of advanced MRI contrast agents for cancer theranostics.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2026

【 图 表 】

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