Research Progress in Hyperbranched Polyethyleneimine-based Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents

Molecular imaging technology has developed rapidly in the past decade, with many contrast agents for imaging diagnosis, among which hyperbranched polyethyleneimine-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have displayed some advantages over others. Hyperbranched polyethyleneimine is relatively cheap and highly modifiable, and its research and development has attracted extensive attention. Based on the good physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of hyperbranched polyethyleneimine, the preparation of various hyperbranched polyethyleneimine-based MRI contrast agents and their biomedical applications are reviewed in this paper. The future application of these MRI contrast agents in early diagnosis of tumor is also prospected.