Gadolinium-conjugated nanoparticles for magnetic resonance lymphatic system imaging

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07713
• 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: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Tomohiro 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 准教授 (30710983)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 長谷部 光泉 東海大学, 医学部, 教授 (20306799) ; 堀田 篤 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 教授 (30407142) ; 富田 康介 東海大学, 医学部, 助教 (70803485)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Interventional Radiology / Lymphatics / Nanotechnology / MRI / Contrast agent

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to enable MR lymphatic system imaging, a contrast agent consisting of a highly biocompatible nanomaterial and macrocyclic Gd that does not easily accumulate in the body is required. We have therefore prepared a Gd-DOTA-CND, which is an ND-macrocyclic Gd complex MRI contrast agent. We confirmed that the prepared Gd-DOTA-CND was dispersed in water, and that both T1 and T2 values of Gd-DOTA-CND were higher than those of existing contrast agents. The popliteal lymph node was well delineated in a rabbit MR lymphatic system imaging study. The general condition of the rabbits was uneventful during the first 7 days after administration of Gd-DOTA-CND.

Free Research Field

Interventional Radiology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，これまで困難であったMRリンパシステムイメージングを臨床応用するために，ND-環状型Gd錯体複合体MRI造影剤を独自技術で開発することを目的に行われた．本研究により，ウサギ膝窩リンパ節の良好な描出に成功はした．しかし，それより中枢側のリンパ管までははっきりと描出はできなかった．このため，MRIの撮像方法を含め，さらに検討しなければならない項目があると考える．より良好なリンパシステムの描出ができれば，可視化困難なリンパシステム異常(リンパ節転移，リンパ浮腫，リンパ漏など)をMRIで描出できる可能性がより高まると考える．