Self-assembled Fluorinated Nanoparticles as Sensitive and Biocompatible Theranostic Platforms for 19 f Mri.

Theranostics is a novel paradigm integrating therapy and diagnostics, thereby providing new prospects for overcoming limitations of traditional treatments. In this context, perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are the most widely used tracers in preclinical fluorine-19 magnetic resonance ( 19 F MR), primarily for their high fluorine content. However, PFCs are extremely hydrophobic, and their solutions often display reduced biocompatibility, relative instability, and subpar 19 F MR relaxation times. This study aims at exploring the potential of micellar 19 F MRI tracers, synthesized by polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), as alternative theranostic agents for simultaneous imaging and release of the non-steroidal antileprotic drug clofazimine. In vitro, under physiological conditions, these micelles demonstrate sustained drug release. In vivo, throughout the drug release process, they provide a highly specific and sensitive 19 F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal. Even after extended exposure, these fluoropolymer tracers show biocompatibility, as confirmed by our histological analysis. Moreover, the characteristics of these polymers can be broadly adjusted by design to meet the wide range of criteria for preclinical and clinical settings. Therefore, micellar 19 F MRI tracers display physicochemical properties suitable for in vivo imaging, such as relaxation times and non-toxicity, and high performance as drug carriers, highlighting their potential as both diagnostic and therapeutic tools. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.