Distribution of gadomelitol in a human breast tumor model in mice

In vitro setup to study permeability characteristics of contrast agents by MRI

An experimental setup consisting of a hollow fiber module (HFM) was developed for the in vitro study of contrast agent (CA) permeability. Controllable flow and known fiber characteristics allowed permeability studies under well-defined conditions with CAs of different molecular weight (MW). In the MRI experiments performed at 4.7 T, the system was perfused at a constant flow rate (5 ml/min) with water and four CA of different MW: Gd-DOTA (MW=0.6 kDa), P846 (3.5 kDa), P792 (6.5 kDa) and P717 (50.5 kDa). R(1) time courses were measured with a saturation-recovery multi-gradient-echo snapshot sequence in the fiber-free HFM input and the fiber-filled center. Concentration time courses were calculated, and CA extravasation was analyzed with a pharmacokinetic model yielding exchange rate constant k(ie). Only Gd-DOTA (k(ie)=2.37+/-0.16 min(-1)) and P846 (k(ie)=0.58+/-0.17 min(-1)) showed quantifiable extravasation. P717 perfusion yielded an intra-capillary volume fraction of 15.6+/-2.7% compared with 12% estimated from the HFM manufacturer's specifications. In conclusion, the experimental setup allowed classification of in vitro permeability characteristics for CAs with different MW and therefore holds potential for systematic comparison of CAs currently under development.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of central nervous system tumors: agents, mechanisms, and applications

Brain tumors are one of the most common neoplasms in young adults and are associated with a high mortality and disability rate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely accepted to be the most sensitive imaging modality in the assessment of cerebral neoplasms. Because the detection, characterization, and exact delineation of brain tumors require a high lesion contrast that depends on the signal of the lesion in relation to the surrounding tissue, contrast media is given routinely. Anatomical and functional, contrast agent-based MRI techniques allow for a better differential diagnosis, grading, and especially therapy decision, planing, and follow-up. In this article, the basics of contrast enhancement of brain tumors will be reviewed. The underlying pathology of a disrupted blood-brain barrier and drug influences will be discussed. An overview of the currently available contrast media and the influences of dosage, field strength, and application on the tumor tissue contrast will be given. Challenging, contrast-enhanced, functional imaging techniques, such as perfusion MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, are presented both from the technical side and the clinical experience in the assessment of brain tumors. The advantages over conventional, anatomical MRI techniques will be discussed as well as possible pitfalls and drawbacks.

An iron-based T 1 contrast agent made of iron-phosphate complexes: In vitro and in vivo studies

A new iron-based T1 contrast agent consisting of a complex of iron ions coordinated to phosphate and amine ligands (Fe(phos) in short) has been characterized by spectroscopic and magnetic measurements. NMR relaxation studies showed r1 values to be dependent on the phosphate salt concentration, K2HPO4, present in the medium. r1 reaches a maximum value of 2.5 mM(-1) s(-1) for measurements carried out at 7 T and 298 K. 31P MRS, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements of Fe(phos) solutions suggest paramagnetic Fe3+ ions present in the studied iron-phosphate complex. In vitro and in vivo toxicity experiments with C6 cells and CD1 mice, respectively, demonstrated lack of toxicity for Fe(phos) at the highest dose tested in the MRI experiments (12 mM iron for C6 cells and 0.32 mmol iron/kg for mice). Finally, T1 weighted images of brain tumours in mice have shown positive contrast enhancement of Fe(phos) for tumour afflicted regions in the brain.