Applied Sciences (May 2012)

A Dual PET/MR Imaging Nanoprobe: 124I Labeled Gd3N@C80

  • Jianqiao Luo,
  • John D. Wilson,
  • Jianyuan Zhang,
  • Jerry I. Hirsch,
  • Harry C. Dorn,
  • Panos P. Fatouros,
  • Michael D. Shultz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/app2020465
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 2
pp. 465 – 478

Abstract

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The current report describes the development of a dual modality tomographic agent for both positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI). The dual-modality agent in this study was based on a 124I (PET) radiolabeled tri-gadolinium endohedral metallofullerene Gd3N@C80 (MRI) nanoprobe platform. The outer surface of the fullerene cage of the Gd3N@C80 metallofullerenes was surface functionalized with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups (f-Gd3N@C80) using previously developed procedures and subsequently iodinated with 124I to produce 124I-f-Gd3N@C80 nanoprobe. Orthotopic tumor-bearing rats were infused intratumorally by convection-enhanced delivery (CED) with the 124I-f-Gd3N@C80 agent and imaged by MRI or micro PET. The anatomical positioning and distribution of the 124I-f-Gd3N@C80 agent were comparable between the MRI and PET scans. The 124I-f-Gd3N@C80­ dual-agent distribution and infusion site within the tumor was clearly evident in both T1- and T2-weighted MR images. The results demonstrate the successful preparation of a dual-modality imaging agent, 124I-f-Gd3N@C80, which could ultimately be used for simultaneous PET/MR imaging.

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