SBIR-STTR Award

As part of a collaborative effort with the Department of Radiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Advanced Magnetics intends to assess the potential of liver-targeted, ferritebased contrast agents to enhance the potential of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for detection of liver metastases using a rat tumor model. Although most studies with MR contrast agents have involved only ions or ion-chelate complexes, some recent research suggests that such ferrite particles can act as powerful image enhancement contrast agents.One promising type of candidate particle has been identified. Efforts will be directed toward the systematic synthesis of a variety of ferrite compounds that are controlled for particle size, ferrite composition, and chemical coating. These parameters are directed toward producing a non-toxic, particulate (colloidal) contrast agent(s) of controlled size, size distribution, and chemical coating whose surface properties will allow for the efficient phagocytosis by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver but not by tumor nodules, The result of this selective uptake should allow major improvements in the contrast between normal and cancerous tissues. New MR contrast agents will provide additional tools for the study of organ physiology and metabolism and offer clinical advantages that can result in increased patient/sample throughput and reduced cost per examination.National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Efforts to enhance the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical medicine can involve the use of contrast agents. In Phase 1, we identified a ferrite based material which can be used to enhance the detection of hepatic tumors by MRI. We further established that the ferrite based agent was highly detectable by MR and biodegradable. In Phase 2, we shall examine the utility of this contrast agent and related agents to enhance MR images in non- hepatic tissues such as spleen, lung, and bone marrow and in the gastrointestinal tract. Animal models of human diseases will be used to evaluate contrast enhancement in such conditions as abcesses, diffuse splenic disease and focal splenic disease. Studies o the metabolism and toxicity of ferrites will be conducted. Ferrite based agents will also be explored for their ability to enhance volume localization in magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A variety of nontoxic ferrite based contrast agents can be envisioned that will be useful in medical conditions where MRI currently has major shortcomings.

Thesaurus Terms:
Animals, Chordates, Mammals, Carnivores, Dogs Animals, Chordates, Mammals, Lagomorphs Animals, Chordates, Mammals, Rodents, Myomorpha, Mice (Laboratory) Animals, Chordates, Mammals, Rodents, Myomorpha, Rats (Laboratory) Biomagnetism Cardiovascular Disorders, Embolism Chemical Synthesis, Design And Production Chemistry, Analytical Methods, Spectrometry, Nmr Diagnostic Quality-Standards Diagnostic Quality-Standards, Diagnostic Procedures Safety Gastrointestinal Visualization Histology Iron Metabolism Iron Oxides Liver Disorders, Liver Abscess Liver Visualization Metabolism, Biotransformation Models, Disease Models Neoplasms Diagnosis Neoplasms Of Biliary Tract, Liver Neoplasms Neoplasms Of Blood And Re System, Lymphoma Neoplasms Of Blood And Re System, Spleen Neoplasms Optics, Image Enhancement Optics, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mri) Physical And/Or Chemical Agents Interaction (Biological And Ecological) Physical Properties, Particles Radiography, Contrast Media Radiotracers Respiratory Visualization ToxicologyNational Cancer Institute (NCI)