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Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
Alginate-lanthanide microspheres for MRI-guided embolotherapy.
Chris Oerlemans1, Peter R Seevinck, Gerrit H van de Maat
1Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. C.Oerlemans@umcutrecht.nl
Acta Biomaterialia
|September 6, 2012
Summary
Alginate microspheres (ams) show promise for image-guided cancer therapy. Holmium-crosslinked ams offer superior MRI visualization for precise embolotherapy monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Endovascular intervention with microsized particles, like embolotherapy, offers a high tumor-to-normal-tissue ratio in cancer treatment.
- Alginate microspheres (ams) are being explored as agents for image-guided embolotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize alginate microspheres cross-linked with lanthanides or iron-III for MRI-guided embolotherapy.
- To evaluate the MRI visualization capabilities and in vivo performance of these ams formulations.
Main Methods:
- Alginate microspheres were prepared using the JetCutter technique and cross-linked with various lanthanides or iron-III.
- Microsphere size, morphology, cation content, and MRI properties were analyzed using microscopy and MRI.
- Ex vivo rabbit and porcine liver tissues were used to assess intravascular infusion and embolization with MRI monitoring.
Main Results:
- Uniformly sized alginate microspheres (250 μm) with controlled cation content (0.72-0.94%) were successfully prepared.
- Lanthanide-ams formulations, particularly Ho(3+)-ams, demonstrated excellent MRI visualization, enabling single sphere detection.
- Intravascular infusion studies showed successful vessel embolization and accurate monitoring of microsphere biodistribution via MRI.
Conclusions:
- Alginate-lanthanide microsphere formulations are potent agents for image-guided embolotherapy.
- Ho(3+)-ams exhibit superior MR visualization, facilitating precise delivery and monitoring in targeted vascular interventions.
- These developed microspheres hold significant potential for enhancing cancer treatment through image-guided embolotherapy.
