Hypoxia-Targeting Contrast Agent

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Hypoxia can affect the outcome of many different pathologies. It influences the tissue microenvironment and alters tissue and cell function. It affects tissue implants, neurological outcomes in TBI, tumor invasiveness and metastasis as well as immune system responses, to name a few. Subsequently, detecting and studying hypoxia is quite important. The current approaches to study hypoxia are either invasive or inaccurate. Noninvasive means, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may provide a viable alternative to current approaches for studying hypoxia. 

 

Common small molecule MRI contrast agents are based on gadolinium, which is a strongly paramagnetic heavy metal. Although it is widely used, serious concerns have been raised about using Gd-based contrast agents on patients with impaired kidney function. Further, recent studies have shown Gd accumulation in bone and brain tissue in patients receiving this contrast agent. Alternative contrast agents are needed that are non-toxic and safe to use on all patients.

 

Researchers at Arizona State University have synthesized a novel iron-based hypoxia-targeting small molecule contrast agent. This contrast agent can be used with MR imaging to detect hypoxic regions that could be a result of cancer, stroke, and other related injuries. This contrast agent allows for both imaging of hypoxic regions which could result from tumor, stroke, injury, etc., as well as enable perfusion MRI. Because this contrast agent is not Gd-based, it may be better suited for patients with impaired kidney function and be safer overall for patients undergoing MR imaging.

 

Potential Applications

 

Benefits and Advantages

 

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