Dendrimer-functionalized shell-crosslinked iron oxide nanoparticles for in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging of tumors

A powerful magnetic nanoprobe with folic acid (FA)-targeting ligands is fabricated by dendrimer functionalization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) precoated with crosslinkable and biocompatible polymer multilayer shells. This magnetic probe allows for magnetic resonance imaging of FA receptor-overexpressing vitro and of an early-stage tumor model in vivo (see picture).