Aptamer-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles enable efficient targeted detection of integrin αvβ3 via magnetic resonance imaging

An understanding of neovascularization and/or angiogenesis in cancer is acutely required for effective cancer therapy due to concerns about tumor growth and metastasis. In particular, integrin αvβ3 is closely associated with cell migration and invasion during angiogenesis. Hence, we developed aptamer_αvβ3-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles (Apt _αvβ3-MNPs) to enable precise detection of integrin-expressing cancer cells using magnetic resonance imaging. Apt _αvβ3-MNPs exhibited not only cytocompatibility, but also an efficient targeting ability with high magnetic sensitivity through in vitro/in vivo studies. The results of this study demonstrate that Apt _αvβ3-MNPs have the potential to be used for accurate tumor diagnosis and therapy.