Magnetic resonance imaging of tumor cells by targeting the amino acid transport system

An early diagnosis of cancer is crucial in the battle against this disease and the in vivo visualization of tumors at cellular level is still the most challenging goal. In order to target tumor cells, we took into account their increased metabolism and amino acid nutrients or pseudo-nutrients, which are actively transported through the cell membrane, have been chosen as vectors for new MRI contrast agents. For this reason new gadolinium complexes conjugated to agmatine, arginine, and glutamine have been synthesized and studied.

Graphical abstractWith the aim of discovering an early diagnosis of cancer by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we synthesized and studied six DTPA and DOTA-like gadolinium complexes conjugated to agmatine, arginine, and glutamine (e.g., 7a), able to target tumor cells by means of the glutamine transport system.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide