Dendritic amplifier molecules having multiple terminal active groups stemming from a benzyl core group

摘要

Dendritic derivatives of 3,5-bis(aminomethyl)benzene and aminomethyl benzene core groups are disclosed. In each derivative, termed an "amplifier" because the dendritic structure on each molecule terminates with multiple termini to each of which an "active group" can be attached, the desired effect of the active group per mole is amplified compared to conventional compounds having only one active group per molecule. Amplifier molecules can include a targeting group permitting the molecules to preferentially attach to a particular anatomical or physiological situs. Active groups are any of various pharmacologically or therapeutically active moieties, including moieties useful for magnetic-resonance contrast enhancement. The dendritic structures comprise linkers and branch groups covalently bonded to each other in any of various structural combinations. The amplifiers can be prepared as a solution or mixture with a physiologically compatible carrier for administration to a warm-blooded animal subject. Also disclosed are methods for using the compounds in diagnosis and therapy, such as obtaining a magnetic resonance image of a subject.