A novel class of paramagnetic liposome-based systems acting as dual T(1) and CEST (1)H-MRI contrast agents is described. The vesicles contain a shift reagent in the aqueous core and a Gd-complex on the external surface conjugated through a biodegradable linker. As such, the probe can generate T(1) contrast only, but after the cleavage and removal of the Gd-coating, the CEST contrast is switched on.
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011