Abstract
Fluorine magnetic resonance imaging ((19)F MRI) is a rapidly evolving research area with a high potential to advance the field of clinical diagnostics. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent progress in the field of fluorinated stimuli-responsive polymers applied as (19)F MRI tracers. These polymers respond to internal or external stimuli (e.g., temperature, pH, oxidative stress, and specific molecules) by altering their physicochemical properties, such as self-assembly, drug release, and polymer degradation. Incorporating noninvasive (19)F labels enables us to track the biodistribution of such polymers. Furthermore, by triggering polymer transformation, we can induce changes in (19)F MRI signals, including attenuation, amplification, and chemical shift changes, to monitor alterations in the environment of the tracer. Ultimately, this review highlights the emerging potential of stimuli-responsive fluoropolymer (19)F MRI tracers in the current context of polymer diagnostics research.