Multifunctional terpolymeric MRI contrast agent with superior signal enhancement in blood and tumor

A new multifunctional terpolymeric system for simultaneous imaging and drug delivery has been recently developed in our laboratory. Herein we report the investigation of terpolymeric contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and doxorubicin (Dox) delivery. The polymer was synthesized by graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and polysorbate 80 (PS 80) onto starch with multiple, chemically bound diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (DTPA) groups for gadolinium chelating. The terpolymer self-assembled to form nanoparticles upon addition of doxorubicin which binds with the PMAA chain. The physicochemical, biological and pharmacokinetic properties of the polymeric system were characterized and their contrast enhancement capability was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The polymer was able to load gadolinium with high thermodynamic stability and exhibited low cytotoxicity. The Gd-loaded polymer (PolyGd), and Gd-Dox co-loaded nanoparticles (PolyGd-Dox) significantly enhanced MR signals, with ionic T1 relaxivities 3–5 times higher than those from Omniscan®, a small molecule contrast agent. In vivo studies showed superior and prolonged contrast enhancement compared to Omniscan® at one fourth the equivalent dose, without adverse effects. The PolyGd and PolyGd-Dox accumulated in the tumor and painted the tumor boundaries clearly for at least 48 h. The PolyGd also enhanced angiogram contrast with contrast to noise ratio values of up to 55-fold and a blood half-life time of 200 min. Seven days after intravenous administration, only relatively small amounts of gadolinium could be detected in the major organs of the mice (supplementary materials). These results suggest that the new terpolymeric system is useful as a theranostic platform for contrast enhanced MR imaging of vasculature and tumor as well as Dox delivery.

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