Gadolinium Complex of 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-trisacetic acid (DO3A) Conjugate of [(p-aniline benzothiazole)methyl]pyridine as a Tumor-Targeting MRI Contrast Agent

The synthesis of a DO3A conjugate of [(p-aniline benzothiazole)methyl]pyridine ($L^2H_3$) and its gadolinium complex of the type [$Gd(L^2)(H_2O)$] ($GdL^2$) is described. The $R_1$ relaxivity ($=4.50mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$) and kinetic inertness of $GdL^2$ compares well with those of structurally analogous Dotarem$^{(R)}$ ($R_1=3.70mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$), a typical extracellular (ECF) MRI contrast agent (CA). Yet, by comparison with Dotarem$^{(R)}$, $GdL^2$ exhibits non-covalent interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) as evidenced by the ${\varepsilon}^*$ titration curve along with in vivo MR signal enhancement in both aorta and heart. Liver-specific nature of $GdL^2$ is also observed as excretion is made through gallbladder. Most notably, $GdL^2$ further demonstrates specificity toward the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer.