NEW AGENTS FOR MAGNETIC IMAGING METHOD

摘要

The invention provides MRI detectable species of formula (I) Dp-Sn-Nm wherein D is a MRI detectable moiety S is a spacer N is a molecule of a nutrient or pseudo-nutrient n is 0 or an integer m is an integer and p is an integer. These compounds are useful for internalising into tumor cells an amount of the MRI detectable moiety that is distinguishably higher than the amount internalised in normal healthy cells thus allowing the diagnosis of tumors. Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein D is the chelated complex of a paramagnetic metal ion. In this case when the paramagnetic metal ion is a neutron capture isotope, e.g. <157>Gd, the new compounds can also be used for the treatment of the tumor, by selective irradiation of the tumor mass.