Assessment of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody for the detection of lung cancer by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in C57BL/6

Abstract

Background: In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) conjugated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody (anti-EGFR-SPIONs) were used as a targeted contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mice. Methods: This was an experimental intervention, performed on 25 C57BL/6 healthy and cancerous mice on LL/2 (LLC1) cell line. Atomis absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to determine of iron content in tumor and other studied tissues and MRI scanner was applied for MR imaging signal intensity under in-vivo conditions. Findings: The results of AAS showed a good iron uptake using specific antibody in the tumor compared to other organs. Moreover, image signal intensity findings revealed its targeted diagnosis for lung cancer LLC1 cells. Conclusion: Designed nanoprobes may be used as a diagnostic agent in detection of target cells and as a contrast agent for targeted magnetic resonance imaging of these cells. © 2021 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.