Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents for Biomarker Detection

Sanhita Sinharay, Mark D. Pagel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have provided new capabilities for biomarker detection through molecular imaging. MRI contrast agents based on the T2 exchange mechanism have more recently expanded the armamentarium of agents for molecular imaging. Compared with T1 and T2∗ agents, T2 exchange agents have a slower chemical exchange rate, which improves the ability to design these MRI contrast agents with greater specificity for detecting the intended biomarker. MRI contrast agents that are detected through chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) have even slower chemical exchange rates. Another emerging class of MRI contrast agents uses hyperpolarized 13C to detect the agent with outstanding sensitivity. These hyperpolarized 13C agents can be used to track metabolism and monitor characteristics of the tissue microenvironment. Together, these various MRI contrast agents provide excellent opportunities to develop molecular imaging for biomarker detection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)95-115
Number of pages21
JournalAnnual Review of Analytical Chemistry
Volume9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 12 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chemical exchange saturation transfer
  • Hyperpolarized C
  • MRI contrast agents
  • T1
  • T2
  • T2 exchange

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry

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