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A molecular theranostic agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) consisting of four [GdDTTA](-) complexes (DTTA(4-) = diethylenetriamine-N,N,N″,N″-tetraacetate) linked to a meso-tetraphenylporphyrin core, as well as its yttrium(III) analogue, was synthesized. A variety of physicochemical methods were used to characterize the gadolinium(III) conjugate 1 both as an MRI contrast agent and as a photosensitizer. The proton relaxivity measured in H2O at 20 MHz and 25 °C, r1 = 43.7 mmol(-1) s(-1) per gadolinium center, is the highest reported for a bishydrated gadolinium(III)-based contrast agent of medium size and can be related to the rigidity of the molecule. The complex displays also a remarkable singlet oxygen quantum yield of ϕΔ = 0.45 in H2O, similar to that of a meso-tetrasulfonated porphyrin. We also evidenced the ability of the gadolinium(III) conjugate to penetrate in cancer cells with low cytotoxicity. Its phototoxicity on Hela cells was evaluated following incubation at low micromolar concentration and moderate light irradiation (21 J cm(-2)) induced 50% of cell death. Altogether, these results demonstrate the high potential of this conjugate as a theranostic agent for MRI and PDT.

The convergent synthesis and characterization of a potential theranostic agent, [DPP-ZnP-GdDOTA](-), which combines a diketopyrrolopyrrole-porphyrin component DPP-ZnP as a two-photon photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a gadolinium(III) DOTA complex as a magnetic resonance imaging probe, is presented. [DPP-ZnP-GdDOTA](-) has a remarkably high longitudinal water proton relaxivity (19.94 mm(-1)  s(-1) at 20 MHz and 25 °C) for a monohydrated molecular system of this size. The Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profile is characteristic of slow rotation, related to the extended and rigid aromatic units integrated in the molecule and to self-aggregation occurring in aqueous solution. The two-photon properties were examined and large two-photon absorption cross-sections around 1000 GM were determined between 910 and 940 nm in DCM with 1 % pyridine and in DMSO. Furthermore, the new conjugate was able to generate singlet oxygen, with quantum yield of 0.42 and 0.68 in DCM with 1 % pyridine and DMSO, respectively. Cellular studies were also performed. The [DPP-ZnP-GdDOTA](-) conjugate demonstrated low dark toxicity and was able to induce high one-photon and moderate two-photon phototoxicity on cancer cells., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A novel ligand, H(12)L, based on a trimethylbenzene core bearing three methylenediethylenetriamine-N,N,N'',N''-tetraacetate moieties (-CH(2)DTTA(4-)) for Gd(3+) chelation has been synthesized, and its trinuclear Gd(3+) complex [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) investigated with respect to MRI contrast agent applications. A multiple-field, variable-temperature (17)O NMR and proton relaxivity study on [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) yielded the parameters characterizing water exchange and rotational dynamics. On the basis of the (17)O chemical shifts, bishydration of Gd(3+) could be evidenced. The water exchange rate, k(ex)(298)=9.0+/-3.0 s(-1) is around twice as high as k(ex)(298) of the commercial [Gd(DTPA)(H(2)O)](2-) and comparable to those on analogous Gd(3+)-DTTA chelates. Despite the relatively small size of the complex, the rotational dynamics had to be described with the Lipari-Szabo approach, by separating global and local motions. The difference between the local and global rotational correlation times, tau(lO)(298)=170+/-10 ps and tau(gO)(298)=540+/-100 ps respectively, shows that [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) is not fully rigid; its flexibility originates from the CH(2) linker between the benzene core and the poly(amino carboxylate) moiety. As a consequence of the two inner-sphere water molecules per Gd(3+), their close to optimal exchange rate and the appropriate size and limited flexibility of the molecule, [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) has remarkable proton relaxivities when compared with commercial contrast agents, particularly at high magnetic fields (r(1)=21.6, 17.0 and 10.7 mM(-1)s(-1) at 60, 200 and 400 MHz respectively, at 25 degrees C; r(1) is the paramagnetic enhancement of the longitudinal water proton relaxation rate, referred to 1 mM concentration of Gd(3+)).

A DTPA-based chelate containing one phosphinate group was conjugated to a generation 5 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer via a benzylthiourea linkage. The Gd(III) complex of this novel conjugate has potential as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The chelates bind Gd3+via three nitrogen atoms, four carboxylates and one phosphinate oxygen, and one water molecule completes the inner coordination sphere. The monomer Gd(III) chelates bearing nitrobenzyl and aminobenzyl groups ([Gd(DTTAP-bz-NO2)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(DTTAP-bz-NH2)(H2O)]2-) as well as the dendrimeric Gd(III) complex G5-(Gd(DTTAP))63) were studied by multiple-field, variable temperature 17O and 1H NMR. The rate of water exchange is faster than that of [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2- and very similar on the two monomeric complexes (8.9 and 8.3 x 10(6) s-1 for [Gd(DTTAP-bz-NO2)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(DTTAP-bz-NH2)(H2O)]2-, respectively), while it is decreased on the dendrimeric conjugate (5.0 x 10(6) s-1). The Gd(III) complex of the dendrimer conjugate has a relaxivity of 26.8 mM-1 s-1 at 37 degrees C and 0.47 T (corresponding to 1H Larmor frequency of 20 MHz). Given the contribution of the second sphere water molecules to the overall relaxivity, this value is slightly higher than those reported for similar size dendrimers. The experimental 17O and 1H NMR data were fitted to the Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan equations extended with a contribution from second coordination sphere water molecules. The rotational dynamics of the dendrimeric conjugate was described in terms of global and local motions with the Lipari-Szabo approach.

The heterotritopic ligand [bpy(DTTA)2]8- has two diethylenediamine-tetraacetate units for selective lanthanide(III) coordination and one bipyridine function for selective Fe(II) coordination. In aqueous solution and in the presence of these metals, the ligand is capable of self-assembly to form a rigid supramolecular metallostar structure, [Fe[Gd2bpy(DTTA)2(H2O)4]3]4-. We report here the physicochemical characterization of the dinuclear complex [Gd2bpy(DTTA)2(H2O)4]2- and the metallostar [Fe[Gd2bpy(DTTA)2(H2O)4]3]4- with regard to potential MRI contrast agent applications. A combination of pH potentiometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine protonation constants for the ligand [bpy(DTTA)2]8- and for the complexes [Fe[bpy(DTTA)2]3]22- and [Y2bpy(DTTA)2]2-. In addition, stability constants have been measured for the dinuclear chelates [M2bpy(DTTA)2]n- formed with M = Gd3+ and Zn2+ (log K(GdL) = 18.2; log K(ZnL) = 18.0; log K(ZnHL) = 3.4). A multiple field, variable-temperature 17O NMR and proton relaxivity study on [Gd2bpy(DTTA)2(H2O)4]2- and [Fe[Gd2bpy(DTTA)2(H2O)4]3](4-) yielded the parameters for water exchange and the rotational dynamics. The 17O chemical shifts are indicative of bishydration of the lanthanide ion. The exchange rates of the two inner-sphere water molecules are very similar in the dinuclear [Gd2bpy(DTTA)2(H2O)(4)]2- and in the metallostar (k(ex)298 = 8.1 +/- 0.3 x 10(6) and 7.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(6) s(-1), respectively), and are comparable to k(ex)298 for similar Gd(III) poly(amino carboxylates). The rotational dynamics of the metallostar has been described by means of the Lipari-Szabo approach, which involves separating global and local motions. The difference between the local and global rotational correlation times, tau(lO)298 = 190 +/- 15 ps and tau(gO)298 = 930 +/- 50 ps, respectively, shows that the metallostar is not completely rigid. However, the relatively high value of S2 = 0.60 +/- 0.04, describing the restriction of the local motions with regard to the global one, points to a limited flexibility compared with previously reported macromolecules such as dendrimers. As a result of the two inner-sphere water molecules, with their near-optimal exchange rate, and the limited flexibility, the metallostar has a remarkable molar proton relaxivity, particularly at high magnetic fields (r1 = 33.2 and 16.4 mM(-1) s(-1) at 60 and 200 MHz, respectively, at 25 degrees C). It packs six efficiently relaxing Gd(III) ions into a small molecular space, which leads, to the best of our knowledge, to the highest relaxivity per molecular mass ever reported for a Gd(III) complex. The [bpy(DTTA)2]8- ligand is also a prime candidate as a terminal ligand for constructing larger sized, Fe(II) (or Ru(II))-based metallostars or metallodendrimers loaded with Gd(III) on the surface.

In the objective of optimizing water exchange rate on stable, nine-coordinate, monohydrated Gd(III) poly(amino carboxylate) complexes, we have prepared monopropionate derivatives of DOTA4- (DO3A-Nprop4-) and DTPA5- (DTTA-Nprop5-). A novel ligand, EPTPA-BAA(3-), the bisamylamide derivative of ethylenepropylenetriamine-pentaacetate (EPTPA5-) was also synthesized. A variable temperature 17O NMR study has been performed on their Gd(III) complexes, which, for [Gd(DTTA-Nprop)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(EPTPA-BAA)(H2O)] has been combined with multiple field EPR and NMRD measurements. The water exchange rates, k(ex)(298), are 8.0 x 10(7) s(-1), 6.1 x 10(7) s(-1) and 5.7 x 10(7) s(-1) for [Gd(DTTA-Nprop)(H2O)]2-, [Gd(DO3A-Nprop)(H2O)]- and [Gd(EPTPA-BAA)(H2O)], respectively, all in the narrow optimal range to attain maximum proton relaxivities, provided the other parameters (electronic relaxation and rotation) are also optimized. The substitution of an acetate with a propionate arm in DTPA5- or DOTA4- induces increased steric compression around the water binding site and thus leads to an accelerated water exchange on the Gd(III) complex. The k(ex) values on the propionate complexes are, however, lower than those obtained for [Gd(EPTPA)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(TRITA)(H2O)]- which contain one additional CH(2) unit in the amine backbone as compared to the parent [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(DOTA)(H2O)]-. In addition to their optimal water exchange rate, [Gd(DTTA-Nprop)(H2O)]2- has, and [Gd(DO3A-Nprop)(H2O)]- is expected to have sufficient thermodynamic stability. These properties together make them prime candidates for the development of high relaxivity, macromolecular MRI contrast agents.

Chiral, bifunctional poly(amino carboxylate) ligands are commonly used for the synthesis of macromolecular, Gd(III)-based MRI contrast agents, prepared in the objective of increasing relaxivity or delivering the paramagnetic Gd(III) to a specific site (targeting). Complex formation with such ligands results in two diastereomeric forms for the complex which can be separated by HPLC. We demonstrated that the diastereomer ratio for Ln(III) DTPA derivatives (approximately 60:40) remains constant throughout the lanthanide series, in contrast to Ln(III) EPTPA derivatives, where it varies as a function of the cation size with a maximum for the middle lanthanides (DTPA(5-) = diethylenetriaminepentaacetate; EPTPA(5-) = ethylenepropylenetriaminepentaacetate). The interconversion of the two diastereomers, studied by HPLC, is a proton-catalyzed process (k(obs) = k(1)[H(+)]). It is relatively fast for [Gd(EPTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-) but slow enough for [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-) to allow investigation of pure individual isomers (isomerization rate constants are k(1) = (3.03 +/- 0.07) x 10(4) and 11.6 +/- 0.5 s(-1) M(-1) for [Gd(EPTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2)(-) and [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-), respectively). Individual water exchange rates have been determined for both diastereomers of [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-) by a variable-temperature (17)O NMR study. Similarly to Ln(III) EPTPA derivatives, k(ex) values differ by a factor of 2 (k(ex)(298) = (5.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(6) and (3.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(6) s(-1)). This variance in the exchange rate has no consequence on the proton relaxivity of the two diastereomers, since it is solely limited by fast rotation. However, such difference in k(ex) will affect proton relaxivity when these diastereomers are linked to a slowly rotating macromolecule. Once the rotation is optimized, slow water exchange will limit relaxivity; thus, a factor of 2 in the exchange rate can lead to a remarkably different relaxivity for the diastereomer complexes. These results have implications for future development of Gd(III)-based, macromolecular MRI contrast agents, since the use of chiral bifunctional ligands in their synthesis inevitably generates diastereomeric complexes.

The EPTPA5) chelate, which ensures fast water exchange in GdIII complexes, has been coupled to three different generations (5, 7, and 9) of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers through benzylthiourea linkages (H5EPTPA = ethylenepropylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'',N''-pentaacetic acid). The proton relaxivities measured at pH 7.4 for the dendrimer complexes G5-(GdEPTPA)111, G7-(GdEPTPA)253 and G9-(GdEPTPA)1157 decrease with increasing temperature, indicating that, for the first time for dendrimers, slow water exchange does not limit relaxivity. At a given field and temperature, the relaxivity increases from G5 to G7, and then slightly decreases for G9 (r1 = 20.5, 28.3 and 27.9 mM(-1) s(-1), respectively, at 37 degrees C, 30 MHz). The relaxivities show a strong and reversible pH dependency for all three dendrimer complexes. This originates from the pH-dependent rotational dynamics of the dendrimer skeleton, which was evidenced by a combined variable-temperature and multiple-field 17O NMR and 1H relaxivity study performed at pH 6.0 and 9.9 on G5-(GdEPTPA)111. The longitudinal 17O and 1H relaxation rates of the dendrimeric complex are strongly pH-dependent, whereas they are not for the [Gd(EPTPA)(H2O)]2- monomer chelate. The longitudinal 17O and 1H relaxation rates have been analysed by the Lipari-Szabo spectral density functions and correlation times have been calculated for the global motion of the entire macromolecule (tau(gO)) and the local motion of the GdIII chelates on the surface (tau(lO)), correlated by means of an order parameter S2. The dendrimer complex G5-(GdEPTPA)111 has a considerably higher tau(gO) under acidic than under basic conditions (tau(298)gO = 4040 ps and 2950 ps, respectively), while local motions are less influenced by pH (tau(298)lO = 150 and 125 ps). The order parameter, characterizing the rigidity of the macromolecule, is also higher at pH 6.0 than at pH 9.9 (S2 = 0.43 vs 0.36, respectively). The pH dependence of the global correlation time can be related to the protonation of the tertiary amine groups in the PAMAM skeleton, which leads to an expanded and more rigid dendrimeric structure at lower pH. The increase of tau(gO) with decreasing pH is responsible for the pH dependent proton relaxivities. The water exchange rate on G5-(GdEPTPA)111(k(298)ex = 150 x 10(6) s(-1)) shows no significant pH dependency and is similar to the one measured for the monomer [Gd(EPTPA)(H2O)]2-. The proton relaxivity of G5-(GdEPTPA)111 is mainly limited by the important flexibility of the dendrimer structure, and to a small extent, by a faster than optimal water exchange rate.

The convergent synthesis and characterization of a potential theranostic agent, [DPP-ZnP-GdDOTA]−, which combines a diketopyrrolopyrrole-porphyrin component DPP-ZnP as a two-photon photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a gadolinium(III) DOTA complex as a magnetic resonance imaging probe, is presented. [DPP-ZnP-GdDOTA]− has a remarkably high longitudinal water proton relaxivity (19.94 m m−1 s−1 at 20 MHz and 25 °C) for a monohydrated molecular system of this size. The Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profile is characteristic of slow rotation, related to the extended and rigid aromatic units integrated in the molecule and to self-aggregation occurring in aqueous solution. The two-photon properties were examined and large two-photon absorption cross-sections around 1000 GM were determined between 910 and 940 nm in DCM with 1 % pyridine and in DMSO. Furthermore, the new conjugate was able to generate singlet oxygen, with quantum yield of 0.42 and 0.68 in DCM with 1 % pyridine and DMSO, respectively. Cellular studies were also performed. The [DPP-ZnP-GdDOTA]− conjugate demonstrated low dark toxicity and was able to induce high one-photon and moderate two-photon phototoxicity on cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool that can provide important insights for medical treatment monitoring and optimization. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a minimally invasive treatment for various types of tumors, is drawing increasing interest thanks to its temporal and spatial selectivity. The combination of MRI and PDT offers real-time monitoring of treatment and can give significant information for drug-uptake and light-delivery parameters optimization. In this review we will give an overview of molecular theranostic agents that have been designed for their potential application in MRI and PDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]