Immunospecific NMR contrast agents

Most NMR contrast agents suggested to date have been paramagnetic. These agents, which include the transition and lanthanide metal ions as well as stable organic free radicals, do not provide effective contrast at concentrations much below 1 mM. However, the use of macromolecular ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic particles provides, for the first time, an NMR relaxation agent that is effective at subnanomolar concentrations. Two different sized superparamagnetic particles have been coupled to monoclonal antibodies with high affinity for a neuroblastoma-specific cell surface antigen. The specific binding of these particles, both in vivo and in vitro is demonstrated and the consequences for immunospecific NMR contrast are discussed.