Constructions of supramolecular metal-free MRI contrast agents showing a higher sensitivity

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26620070
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Functional solid state chemistry
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Karasawa Satoru 九州大学, 薬学研究院, 准教授 (80315100)
• Research Collaborator: HAGIHARA Ryusuke 九州大学, 大学院薬学府 ; OKAMOTO Yuna 九州大学, 大学院薬学研究院, 技術補佐員 ; ARAKI Takeru 九州大学, 大学院薬学府 ; MORISHITA Kosuke 九州大学, 大学院薬学府 ; SHIRAISHI Ryoma 九州大学, 薬学部
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: MRI / 造影剤 / ラジカル / ナノ微粒子 / がん

Outline of Final Research Achievements

MRI contrast agents used in clinical are containing metals such as Gadolinium. Due to influences of the metal ion, the contras agents often show significant side effects. In order to This time, we developed the metal free contrast agents using organic radicals. However, the contrast agents containing organic radicals exhibit smaller sensitivity than that of metal contrast agents because of smaller spin quantum number. Accordingly, to overcome the disadvantage of the metal free contrast agents and enhance the sensitivity, we used nanoparticles possessing organic radical (RNP). As the results, the RNP showed higher sensitivity than that of radicals consisted of smaller molecules. Furthermore, we successfully prepared the RNP possessing a pH responsiveness. Tumor tissues show the acidic microenvironment than that of normal tissues. Thus, in the future, we will prepare the metal free contrast agent capable of being in response to the tumor that have acidic microenvironment.

Free Research Field

機能性有機化合物の合成