Spatial characterization of redox processes and speciation of Ru(iii) anticancer complexes by F-19 magnetic resonance imaging

The application of CF3-labeled Ru(iii) anticancer complexes to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of tumour tissues is demonstrated. By combining anatomical chemical-shift selective (CHESS) imaging with F-19 chemical-shift imaging (CSI) MR methods, we show that oxidation states and ligand-exchange processes of the complexes can be spatially encoded. Measurements on different tissue models, including a human breast adenocarcinoma tumour, validate the application of these complexes as MR theranostics for the sensing and targeting of hypoxia.