title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Gd(III) -Based Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen.
abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is advantageous because it concurrently provides anatomic, functional, and molecular information. MR molecular imaging can combine the high spatial resolution of this established clinical modality with molecular profiling in vivo. However, as a result of the intrinsically low sensitivity of MR imaging, high local concentrations of biological targets are required to generate discernable MR contrast. We hypothesize that the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), an attractive target for imaging and therapy of prostate cancer, could serve as a suitable biomarker for MR-based molecular imaging. We have synthesized three new high-affinity, low-molecular-weight Gd(III) -based PSMA-targeted contrast agents containing one to three Gd(III)  chelates per molecule. We evaluated the relaxometric properties of these agents in solution, in prostate cancer cells, and in an in vivo experimental model to demonstrate the feasibility of PSMA-based MR molecular imaging.
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA). sray9@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Sangeeta Ray
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Ethel J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ngen
authors.affiliation: Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 (USA).
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Rotz
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Samata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakkad
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Ala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lisok
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pracitto
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Mrudula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pullambhatla
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Zhengping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Dmitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Artemov
authors.affiliation: Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 (USA).
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Meade
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Zaver M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Bhujwalla
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231 (USA).
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pomper
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D043425:Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium; C473848:FOLH1 protein, human; D043425:Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II
keywords: cancer; gadolinium; imaging agents; magnetic resonance imaging