The objectives of this research are to develop safe, effective targeted polymer-gadolinium chelate conjugates as contrast agents for magnetic resonance diagnostic cancer imaging. Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death in the United States. The accurate diagnosis and subsequent optimal treatment of cancer at its earliest stage is crucial to save the lives of cancer patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive clinical diagnostic technique, but lacks of functional contrast agents for earlier tumor detection and characterization. The novel targeted polymeric contrast agents will increase the sensitivity and accuracy of the detection of small cancers and precancerous tissues with MRI.
The specific aims are to design, synthesize and characterize poly(L-glutamic acid)-gadolinium (111) chelate conjugates and monoclonal antibody Fab' fragment targeted poly(L-glutamic acid)-Gd(lll) chelate conjugates as MRI contrast agents with minimal long-term Gd(lll) tissue accumulation; to evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties, including molecular weight distribution, relaxivity, Gd chelate release, in vivo clearance, biodistribution, neoplastic targeting, pharmacokinetics and safety, of the targeted and nontargeted conjugates; to assess the efficacy of the targeted and nontargeted conjugates on tumor contrast enhancement in MR imaging. The biocompatible poly(L-glutamic acid) will be used as a carrier and Gd(III)DOTA will be conjugated to the polymer via cleavable spacers, which will be readily cleaved to release the Gd chelate from the polymer and to facilitate its clearance from the body after the MRI exam. Monoclonal antibody Fab' fragments against the molecular markers expressed in neoplastic tissues will be incorporated into the polymer conjugates to achieve tumor specific contrast enhancement in MRI. The targeted contrast agents will be able to bind to the molecular targets and deliver a sufficient amount of paramagnetic chelates in target tissues for the imaging of small cancers. The structural, physicochemical and biological properties of the conjugates will be further optimized to develop safe, efficacious contrast agents for more accurate cancer detection and staging with MRI. The long-term goal of this project is to develop safe, effective, functional contrast agents for clinical MR cancer imaging.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA097465-02
Application #
6853595
Study Section
Diagnostic Radiology Study Section (RNM)
Program Officer
Menkens, Anne E
Project Start
2004-03-01
Project End
2008-02-28
Budget Start
2005-03-01
Budget End
2006-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$245,180
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Utah
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
009095365
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112
Tan, Mingqian; Ye, Zhen; Lindner, Daniel et al. (2014) Synthesis and evaluation of a targeted nanoglobular dual-modal imaging agent for MR imaging and image-guided surgery of prostate cancer. Pharm Res 31:1469-76
Chow, April M; Tan, Mingqian; Gao, Darwin S et al. (2013) Molecular MRI of liver fibrosis by a peptide-targeted contrast agent in an experimental mouse model. Invest Radiol 48:46-54
Wu, Xueming; Lindner, Daniel; Yu, Guan-Ping et al. (2013) MR molecular imaging of prostate cancer with a small molecular CLT1 peptide targeted contrast agent. J Vis Exp :
Zhou, Zhuxian; Wu, Xueming; Kresak, Adam et al. (2013) Peptide targeted tripod macrocyclic Gd(III) chelates for cancer molecular MRI. Biomaterials 34:7683-93
Zhou, Zhuxian; Lu, Zheng-Rong (2013) Gadolinium-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance cancer imaging. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 5:1-18
Tan, Mingqian; Burden-Gulley, Susan M; Li, Wen et al. (2012) MR molecular imaging of prostate cancer with a peptide-targeted contrast agent in a mouse orthotopic prostate cancer model. Pharm Res 29:953-60
Wu, Xueming; Burden-Gulley, Susan M; Yu, Guan-Ping et al. (2012) Synthesis and evaluation of a peptide targeted small molecular Gd-DOTA monoamide conjugate for MR molecular imaging of prostate cancer. Bioconjug Chem 23:1548-56
Ye, Furong; Jeong, Eun-Kee; Parker, Denis et al. (2011) Evaluation of CLT1-(Gd-DTPA) for Cancer MR Molecular Imaging in a Mouse Breast Cancer Model. Bo Pu Xue Za Zhi 2:325-330
Tan, Mingqian; Ye, Zhen; Jeong, Eun-Kee et al. (2011) Synthesis and evaluation of nanoglobular macrocyclic Mn(II) chelate conjugates as non-gadolinium(III) MRI contrast agents. Bioconjug Chem 22:931-7
Tan, Mingqian; Lu, Zheng-Rong (2011) Integrin Targeted MR Imaging. Theranostics 1:83-101

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