Magtrace

Magtrace is a magnetic tracer consisting of carboxydextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, specifically designed for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer. Developed by Endomag, it serves as a non-radioactive alternative to the traditional technetium-99m and blue dye dual-tracer method. Upon interstitial injection (typically periareolar or peritumoral), the nanoparticles, which average 60 nm in diameter, are transported via the lymphatic system and sequestered in the sentinel lymph nodes. Surgeons then utilize the Sentimag handheld magnetometer to locate these nodes by detecting their magnetic signal. This approach eliminates the logistical challenges and patient exposure associated with radioactive materials while maintaining high sensitivity for node localization.

Brand names

MagtraceSienna+

Other names

magnetic tracersuperparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticlesSPIO tracer