Computed tomography is one of the most widely applied imaging technologies in diagnostic medicine. Contrast agents, which contain atoms with high electron density, are used to enhance the visibility of soft tissue areas; however, the most broadly used contrast agents have several limitations. Current contrast agents are primarily small molecule, aromatic, iodinated liquids that are rapidly excreted, resulting in short imaging times, and display renal toxicity. Nanoparticles have been shown to have longer circulation times as well as controlled biological clearance pathways, typically accumulating in the liver and spleen rather than the kidneys. We have developed a highly iodinated, biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that has high radiopacity and low cytotoxicity. The polymer can be endcapped with a photo-curable methacrylate group, which allows for easy processing. We can formulate monodisperse nanoparticles via a liposomal/nano-precipitation method. These iodinated nanoparticles are unique in that they are much cheaper than currently developed gold or bismuth nanoparticles, and that they are completely nonaromatic. The size of the particles can be tuned within the range of 50-150 nm in order to avoid excretion by the kidney.  In an initial in vivo study, our nanoparticles showed good contrast in comparison to a commercial contrast agent. Further research is being done to improve the biodistribution and characterization of the nanoparticles with the prospect of creating a new contrast agent that can mitigate nephrotoxicity issues and increase circulation times.

Highly iodinated nanoparticles for use as a computed tomography contrast agent

247th National Meeting (2014)

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