Background: Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are currently used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. These particles can also be used as drug carriers for local chemotherapy, called magnetic drug targeting. Using an external magnetic field, colloidal nanoparticles can be directed to a specific body compartment (i.e. tumor).
Materials and methods: After magnetic drug targeting in an experimental rabbit model with a VX2 squamous cell carcinoma, tumor tissue was extracted and embedded in paraffin for histology and X-ray imaging.
Results: The distribution of magnetic nanoparticles was detected holistically with X-ray imaging and in detail using Prussian blue staining of histological cross sections.
Conclusion: The biodistribution of magnetic nanoparticles can be visualized with X-ray imaging and histologically confirmed.