Advanced

AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Manninger, S. P. Articles by Neuwelt, E. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Manninger, S. P. Articles by Neuwelt, E. A.

American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:2290-2300, October 2005
© 2005 American Society of Neuroradiology

BRAIN

An Exploratory Study of Ferumoxtran-10 Nanoparticles as a Blood-Brain Barrier Imaging Agent Targeting Phagocytic Cells in CNS Inflammatory Lesions

Sándor P. Manninger^c, Leslie L. Muldoon^a, Gary Nesbit^a,b,c, Tulio Murillo^b, Paula M. Jacobs^d and Edward A. Neuwelt^a,b

^a Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
^b Department of Neurosurgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
^c Department of Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
^d Advanced Magnetics, Cambridge, MA

Address correspondence to Edward A. Neuwelt, MD, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mailcode L603, Portland, OR 97239

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Iron oxide–based contrast agents have been investigated as more specific MR imaging agents for central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Ferumoxtran-10 is a virus-size nanoparticle, taken up by reactive cells, that allows visualization of the phagocytic components of CNS lesions. Ferumoxtran-10 was compared with standard gadolinium-enhanced MR images in this exploratory trial to assess its potential in evaluation of CNS lesions with inflammatory aspects, including lymphoma, multiple sclerosis (MS), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and vascular lesions.

METHODS: Twenty-three patients with different types of intracranial "inflammatory" lesions underwent standard brain MR with and without gadolinium, followed an average of 10 days later by a ferumoxtran-10 scan. Patients were imaged 24 hours after infusion of 2.6 mg/kg ferumoxtran-10. All MR images were evaluated subjectively by 4 investigators for a difference in enhancement patterns, which could be useful in differential diagnoses.

RESULTS: In 5 cases, (one ADEM, 2 stroke, one cavernous venous vascular malformation, one primary central nervous lymphoma) the ferumoxtran-10 scan showed higher signal intensity, larger area of enhancement, or new enhancing areas compared with gadolinium. Most MS patients showed less enhancement with ferumoxtran-10 than with gadolinium.

CONCLUSION: Ferumoxtran-10 showed different enhancement patterns in a variety of CNS lesions with inflammatory components in comparison to gadolinium. The impact of timing and therapy need further evaluation to better assess ferumoxtran-10 in addition to gadolinium as contrast agents for use in diagnosis and monitoring therapy in patients with CNS inflammatory lesions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. M. Vellinga, R. D. Oude Engberink, A. Seewann, P. J.W. Pouwels, M. P. Wattjes, S. M.A. van der Pol, C. Pering, C. H. Polman, H. E. de Vries, J. J.G. Geurts, et al. Pluriformity of inflammation in multiple sclerosis shown by ultra-small iron oxide particle enhancement Brain, March 1, 2008; 131(3): 800 - 807. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L.L. Muldoon, P.G. Tratnyek, P.M. Jacobs, N.D. Doolittle, G.A. Christoforidis, J.A. Frank, M. Lindau, P.R. Lockman, S.P. Manninger, Y. Qiang, et al. Imaging and Nanomedicine for Diagnosis and Therapy in the Central Nervous System: Report of the Eleventh Annual Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Consortium Meeting AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., March 1, 2006; 27(3): 715 - 721. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]