title: Magnetic resonance imaging of tumor cells by targeting the amino acid transport system.
abstract: An early diagnosis of cancer is crucial in the battle against this disease and the in vivo visualization of tumors at cellular level is still the most challenging goal. In order to target tumor cells, we took into account their increased metabolism and amino acid nutrients or pseudo-nutrients, which are actively transported through the cell membrane, have been chosen as vectors for new MRI contrast agents. For this reason new gadolinium complexes conjugated to agmatine, arginine, and glutamine have been synthesized and studied.
authors.affiliation: CRM Chemistry, Bracco Imaging SpA, via E. Folli 50, 20134 Milano, Italy. luciano.lattuada@bracco.com
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lattuada
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demattio
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cabella
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Visigalli
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aime
authors.forename: Simonetta Geninatti
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Crich
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gianolio
mesh_terms: D026905:Amino Acid Transport Systems / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005682:Gadolinium; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D026905:Amino Acid Transport Systems; D005682:Gadolinium