Pan-vascular diseases encompass a range of systemic conditions characterized by sharing a common pathologic basis of vascular deterioration. Due to the complexity of these diseases, a thorough understanding on their similarities and differences is essential for optimizing diagnosis and treatment strategies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as one of the commonly used medical imaging techniques, has been widely applied in the diagnosis of pan-vascular diseases. Particularly, the integration of MRI with contrast agents and multi-parameter imaging techniques significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy, reducing the likelihood of missed or incorrect diagnoses. Recently, a variety of nano-magnetic resonance contrast agents have been developed and applied to the magnetic resonance diagnosis of diseases. These nanotechnology-based contrast agents provide multiple advantages, ensuring more precise and forward-looking imaging of pan-vascular conditions. In this review, the diverse application strategies of nanomaterials-enhanced MRI techniques in the diagnosis of pan-vascular diseases were systematically summarized, by classifying them into the commonly used MRI sequences in clinical practice. Additionally, the potential advantages and challenges associated with the clinical translation of nanomaterial-enhanced MRI were also discussed. This review not only offers a novel perspective on the precise diagnosis of pan-vascular diseases, but also serves as a valuable reference for future clinical practice and research in the field.
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging technology, which possesses superior advantages including real-time and fast imaging, high spatial and temporal resolution, and deep tissue penetration, shows great potential for tumor imaging in vivo and therapy. Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots exhibit high brightness, broad excitation, easily tunable emission wavelength and superior stability, and do not contain highly toxic heavy metal elements such as cadmium or lead. These advantages make Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots attract widespread attention in biomedical field. This review summarizes the recent advances in the controlled synthesis of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots and their applications in tumor imaging in vivo and therapy. Firstly, the organic-phase and aqueous-phase synthesis of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots as well as the strategies for regulating the near-infrared photoluminescence are briefly introduced; secondly, representative biomedical applications of near-infrared-emitting cadmium-free quantum dots including early diagnosis of tumor, lymphatic imaging, drug delivery, photothermal and photodynamic therapy are emphatically discussed; lastly, perspectives on the future directions of developing quantum dots for biomedical application and the faced challenges are discussed. This paper may provide guidance and reference for further research and clinical translation of cadmium-free quantum dots in tumor diagnosis and treatment.