Issue 24, 2023

Tungsten-based nanoparticles as contrast agents for liver tumor detection using dual-energy computed tomography

Abstract

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a commonly used imaging technique for detecting and diagnosing liver cancer. Currently, it is performed using clinically approved iodinated small molecule contrast agents (CAs). However, these iodinated CAs have several drawbacks, including sub-optimal contrast generation and contra-indication in patients with renal insufficiency. Herein, we synthesized tungsten-based CAs (i.e., WO3−x NPs) with excellent biocompatibility and investigated their effectiveness in DECT imaging. WO3−x NPs significantly enhanced the contrast between liver tumors and normal liver tissues as indicated by in vivo DECT imaging. Furthermore, WO3−x NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility and minimal systemic toxicity. This study introduces a novel class of CAs for DECT and presents a promising method for accurate early diagnosis of liver tumors.

Graphical abstract: Tungsten-based nanoparticles as contrast agents for liver tumor detection using dual-energy computed tomography

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 Jun 2023
Accepted
14 Oct 2023
First published
20 Oct 2023

Biomater. Sci., 2023,11, 7817-7825

Tungsten-based nanoparticles as contrast agents for liver tumor detection using dual-energy computed tomography

X. Ji, L. Zhu, J. C. Hsu, H. Wang, J. Zhou, Q. Wang, Y. Li, W. Cai, D. Ni and Z. Wu, Biomater. Sci., 2023, 11, 7817 DOI: 10.1039/D3BM01068F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements