Noninvasive Monitoring of HPMA Copolymer–RGDfK Conjugates by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PurposeTo evaluate the tumor targeting potential of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer–gadolinium(Gd)–RGDfK conjugates by magnetic resonance (MR) T1-mapping.MethodsHPMA copolymers with and without RGDfK were synthesized to incorporate side chains for Gd chelation. The conjugates were characterized by their side-chain contents and r1 relaxivity. In vitro integrin-binding affinities of polymeric conjugates were assessed via competitive cell binding assays on HUVEC endothelial cells and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. In vivo MR imaging was performed on MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing SCID mice at different time points using non-targetable and targetable polymers. The specificity of αvβ3 targeting was assessed by using non-paramagnetic targetable polymer to block αvβ3 integrins followed by injection of paramagnetic targetable polymers after 2 h.ResultsThe polymer conjugates showed relaxivities higher than Gd-DOTA. Endothelial cell binding studies showed that IC50 values for the copolymer with RGDfK binding to αvβ3 integrin-positive HUVEC and MDA-MB-231 cells were similar to that of free peptide. Significantly lower T1 values were observed at the tumor site after 2 h using targetable conjugate (p < 0.012). In vivo blocking study showed significantly higher T1 values (p < 0.045) compared to targetable conjugate.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the potential of this conjugate as an effective targetable MR contrast agent for tumor imaging and therapy monitoring.