Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar: Synthesis of Contrast Agents for MRI of Prostate Cancer

Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar
Synthesis of Modular DO3A-Based High-Relaxivity Contrast Agents for MRI of Prostate Cancer

Dana Murphy Soika
Chemistry MS Candidate
School of Chemistry and Materials Science, RIT
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hans Schmitthenner

Register Here for Zoom Link
This seminar may be attended in person in 2300 Gosnell Hall or online via Zoom.

Abstract:
Contrast agents (CAs) are small molecules used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help diagnose and treat various forms of cancer. While MRI is advantageous over other clinical imaging techniques, limitations of today’s contrast agents containing gadolinium (Gd) hinder their safety, sensitivity, and specificity. Conventional CAs are considered low-relaxivity and are not optimally effective at enhancing MR signal. Additionally, they lack cell- specificity and circulate throughout the body which makes it more difficult to rely on them to accurately locate tumors. In the clinic, these limitations mean high dosages of CAs must be administered to patients in order to produce an image that struggles to highlight the exact tumor location. Our aim was to improve conventional CAs by synthesizing a high-relaxivity (HR) targeted contrast agent (HR- TCA). The cell-specific nature of the HR-TCA will allow for its accumulation at tumor sites while the HR will produce a stronger MR signal per molecule of CA. Combined, this means a much lower and therefore safer dose of CA can be used to produce an image of the exact tumor location with superior contrast. Our modular approach allows us to easily combine this HR contrast agent (HR- CA) to any targeting peptide using a linker in a convergent, one-step synthesis. T1 relaxation measurements of relevant intermediates and the final product were performed to compare their relaxivities with those of commercial CAs used in clinics, labs, and hospitals today.

Intended Audience:
Undergraduates, graduates, experts. Those with interest in the topic.

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