In vivo MRI cell tracking: Clinical studies

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this review is to describe the principles of MRI cell tracking with superparamagnetic iron oxides and the four clinical trials that have been performed. CONCLUSION. Clinical MRI cell tracking is likely to become an important tool at the bedside once (stem) cell therapy becomes mainstream. The most prominent role of this technique probably will be verification of accurate cell delivery with MRI-guided injection, in which interventional radiologists will play a role in the near future. All clinical studies described as of this writing have been performed outside the United States.