title: Molecular magnetic resonance contrast agents for the detection of cancer: past and present.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool with unsurpassed spatial resolution that is capable of providing detailed information about the structure and composition of tumors. The use of exogenously administered contrast agents allows compartment-specific enhancement of tumors, enabling imaging of functional blood and interstitial volumes. Current efforts are directed at enhancing the capabilities of MRI in oncology by adding contrast agents with molecular specificities to the growing armamentarium of diagnostic probes that produce signal by changing local proton relaxation times as a consequence of specific contrast agent binding to cell surface receptors or extracellular matrix components. We review herein the most notable examples, illustrating major trends in the development of specific probes for high-resolution imaging in molecular oncology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. Alexei.Bogdanov@umassmed.edu
authors.forename: Alexei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bogdanov
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D015335:Molecular Probes; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D015335:Molecular Probes