Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor and causes a disproportionate level of morbidity and mortality across a wide range of individuals. From previous clinical practices, definition of glioma margin is the key point for surgical resection. In order to outline the exact margin of glioma and provide a guide effect for the physicians both at pre-surgical planning stage and surgical resection stage, pH/temperature sensitive magnetic nanogels conjugated with Cy5.5-labled lactoferrin (Cy5.5-Lf-MPNA nanogels) were developed as a promising contrast agent. Due to its pH/te mperature sensitivity, Cy5.5-Lf-MPNA nanogels could change in its hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties and size at different pH and temperatures. Under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C), Cy5.5-Lf-MPNA nanogels were hydrophilic and swollen, which could prolong the blood circulation time. In the acidic environment of tumor tissues (pH 6.8, 37 degrees C), Cy5.5-Lf-MPNA nanogels became hydrophobic and shrunken, which could be more easily accumulated in tumor tissue and internalized by tumor cells. In addition, lactoferrin, an effective targeting ligand for glioma, provides active tumor targeting ability. In vivo studies on rats bearing in situ glioma indicated that the MR/fluorescence imaging with high sensitivity and specificity could be acquired using Cy5.5-Lf-MPNA nanogels due to active targeting function of the Lf and enhancement of cellular uptake by tailoring the hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the nanogels. With good biocompatibility shown by cytotoxicity assay and histopathological analysis, Cy5.5-Lf-MPNA nanogels are hopeful to be developed as a specific and high-sensitive contrast agent for preoperative MRI and intraoperative fluorescence imaging of glioma. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.