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Gadolinium Endohedral Metallofullerene-Based MRI Contrast Agents

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Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacological Potential of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes

Part of the book series: Carbon Materials: Chemistry and Physics ((CMCP,volume 1))

Abstract

With the ability to encapsulate and carry the highly paramagnetic Gd3+ ion, gadolinium endohedral metallofullerenes or “gadofullerenes” are being explored as alternatives to the chelate complexes that are currently used for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Reviewed here are the various water-soluble derivatives of the gadofullerenes Gd@C82, Gd@C60, and Gd3N@C80 that have been investigated as MRI contrast agents. The water proton r1 relaxivities of gadofullerenes can be more than an order of magnitude higher than those of clinically used chelate agents. Gadofullerene relaxivity mechanisms have been studied, and multiple factors are found to contribute to their high relaxivities. In vitro and in vivo T 1 -weighted MRI tests of gadofullerene derivatives have shown their utility as bright image-enhancing agents. The gadofullerene MRI contrast agents are a promising new and unique style of gadolinium carrier for advanced imaging applications, including cellular and molecular imaging.

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  1. TDA Research Inc., 12345 West 52nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO, 80033, USA

    Robert D. Bolskar

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  1. Lupi Chemical Research Institute, Via Casilina 1626/A, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Franco Cataldo (Director) (Director)

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, University of Trieste, Piazzale Europe, I-34127, Trieste, Italy

    Tatiana Da Ros

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Bolskar, R.D. (2008). Gadolinium Endohedral Metallofullerene-Based MRI Contrast Agents. In: Cataldo, F., Da Ros, T. (eds) Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacological Potential of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon Materials: Chemistry and Physics, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6845-4_8

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