Abstract #0684

Mustafi D, Foxley S, Zamora M, Makinen M, Karczmar G

A novel class of MRI contrast agents, containing VO2+-chelated organic ligands, namely VO(acetylacetonato)2, has been developed. These contrast agents target specifically receptor proteins in glycolysis and are taken up by highly glycolytic cells. We have demonstrated that these compounds have very little toxicity in rats. The relaxivity of VO(acac)2 is comparable to that of low molecular weight Gd3+-complexes; and it provided excellent T1 and T2* contrasts compared to Gd-DTPA in high-resolution MR images of rodent tumors. The preliminary biochemical, biophysical, and cell-biological data showed a great potential to develop the first MRI contrast agents that are sensitive to cancer metabolism.