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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent
Published on: September 3, 2013
A low molecular weight folate receptor targeted contrast agent for magnetic resonance tumor imaging
Tammy L Kalber1, Nazila Kamaly, Po-Wah So
1MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. tammy.kalber@csc.mrc.ac.uk
Purpose:
This study aims to develop a low molecular weight folate receptor (FR) contrast agent for MR tumor imaging.
Procedures:
Gadolinium-tetraazacyclododecane tetraacetic acid (Gd.DOTA) was conjugated to folic acid to create Gd.DOTA.Folate. The efficacy of Gd.DOTA.Folate to bind FR was evaluated in vitro by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tumor enhancement over 14 h, utilizing an overexpressing α-FR cell line (IGROV-1), compared to an α-FR-negative cell line (OVCAR-3). Gd.DOTA.Folate localization ex vivo was verified by laser ablation ICP-MS.
Results:
ICP-MS confirmed Gd.DOTA.Folate uptake by IGROV-1 cells and competitive binding with free folic acid inhibited binding. IGROV-1 tumors showed an increase in R (1) at 2 h, which increased significantly over 14 h post-Gd.DOTA.Folate with clear enhancement on MR images. This was not observed in controls.
Conclusion:
These data support the use of FR-targeted small molecular weight MRI contrast agents for tumor imaging in vivo.
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