Development of Innovative Cancer MRI Imaging Techniques Using New Contrast Agents Based on Molecular Binding Technology

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08000
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Hirai Toshinori 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 教授 (40274724)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 東 美菜子 宮崎大学, 医学部, 教授 (00643389) ; 片岡 寛章 宮崎大学, 医学部, 教授 (10214321) ; 佐藤 裕之 宮崎大学, 農学部, 准教授 (20545404) ; 徐 岩 宮崎大学, 医学部, 教授 (40506763) ; 石塚 匠 宮崎大学, 医学部, 助教 (50700085)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: MRI / 造影剤 / 癌 / バイオマーカー / 分子結合

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the cell experiments, each tumor cell (4T1 cell) was first cultured with click-reactive sugar and PBS buffer, and then MRI contrast agent (Gadobutrol) or Gadobutrol chemically modified for click reaction were added. The cells were then crushed and the amount of gadolinium (Gd) was measured by ICP-MS. The results showed that the amount of Gd in the tumor cells reacted with chemically modified Gadobutrol for the click reaction was significantly higher than that in the control cells. This suggested that the Gd contrast agent remained in tumor cells in large amounts due to the click reaction. In the next step, we plan to perform MRI imaging on tumor mice to measure the signal intensity of the tumor and the amount of Gd in the tumor.

Free Research Field

放射線医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究による新たな画像診断技術の開発は、汎用性の高いMRI装置を用いた空間分解能の高い新たな分子イメージング技術の開発に繋がっていくものと考えられ、FDG-PETのようにがんの早期発見、がん治療前のステージング、がん治療後の経過観察に有効な手法になる可能性が期待されます。