title: Macromolecular and dendrimer-based magnetic resonance contrast agents.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging modality that can provide an assessment of function or molecular expression in tandem with anatomic detail. Over the last 20-25 years, a number of gadolinium-based MR contrast agents have been developed to enhance signal by altering proton relaxation properties. This review explores a range of these agents from small molecule chelates, such as Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA, to macromolecular structures composed of albumin, polylysine, polysaccharides (dextran, inulin, starch), poly(ethylene glycol), copolymers of cystamine and cystine with GD-DTPA, and various dendritic structures based on polyamidoamine and polylysine (Gadomers). The synthesis, structure, biodistribution, and targeting of dendrimer-based MR contrast agents are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Ambika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bumb
authors.forename: Martin W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Brechbiel
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Choyke
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D003287:Contrast Media; D050091:Dendrimers; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D005682:Gadolinium