A targeted antiferromagnetic nanoprobe for ultra-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging detection of sub-millimeter esophageal tumors

Wenkui Mo; Zeyu Liang; Bo Zhang; Lin Xiao; Xun Liu; Zhigao Yi; Shangzhi Xie; Qiyue Wang; Liang Shi; Taobo Luo; Feng Li; Leilei Wu; Yuanzhe Piao; Fangyuan Li; Jian Zeng; Daishun Ling

doi:10.1002/bmm2.70040

BMEMat ›› 2026, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (1) :e70040 DOI: 10.1002/bmm2.70040

RESEARCH ARTICLE

A targeted antiferromagnetic nanoprobe for ultra-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging detection of sub-millimeter esophageal tumors

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¹. Department of Pulmonary Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China

². School of Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

³. Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Diagnosis and Therapy (NERC-AMRT), National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

⁴. School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China

⁵. World Laureates Association (WLA) Laboratories, Shanghai, China

⁶. Institute of Pharmaceutics and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

⁷. Department of Biomaterials and Stem Cells, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China

⁸. Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

⁹. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

hzzengjian123@163.com

dsling@sjtu.edu.cn

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Abstract

Early, non-invasive detection of esophageal cancer at sub-millimeter resolution is critical for tailoring precise therapeutic strategies. While ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers exceptional spatial resolution, the lack of optimized contrast agents capable of enhancing sensitivity for detecting microscopic tumors remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a cyclo-RGD peptide-conjugated antiferromagnetic nanoparticle (RANP) as a novel targeted T1 contrast agent, specifically designed to improve in vivo imaging of esophageal tumors at the micrometer scale. The RANP integrates an antiferromagnetic core with low magnetization, minimizing T2 decaying effects, while the cyclo-RGD peptide enhances its targeting ability by specifically binding to integrin α_vβ₃, a biomarker highly expressed on tumor vasculature. This targeted conjugation improves the probe's selective accumulation at the tumor site and facilitates superior T1 relaxation of water protons. Under 9 T MRI conditions, the RANP exhibits an r1 value of 1.88 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ and a low r2/r1 ratio of 1.84, enabling the detection of primary esophageal tumors as small as 0.8 mm. This study significantly advances the sensitivity of current imaging techniques, pushing the detection limit of in vivo esophageal cancer diagnosis into the sub-millimeter range. Our results demonstrate the promising potential of RANP-enhanced UHF MRI for early detection, monitoring, and therapeutic intervention in esophageal cancer, offering a powerful tool for more effective clinical management.

Keywords

antiferromagnetic nanoprobe / esophageal cancer / magnetic resonance imaging / sub-millimeter level / ultra-high field

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Wenkui Mo, Zeyu Liang, Bo Zhang, Lin Xiao, Xun Liu, Zhigao Yi, Shangzhi Xie, Qiyue Wang, Liang Shi, Taobo Luo, Feng Li, Leilei Wu, Yuanzhe Piao, Fangyuan Li, Jian Zeng, Daishun Ling. A targeted antiferromagnetic nanoprobe for ultra-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging detection of sub-millimeter esophageal tumors. BMEMat, 2026, 4 (1) : e70040 DOI:10.1002/bmm2.70040

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