APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
- Treatment and prevention of gadolinium deposition in patients undergoing MRIs
- Treatment for exposure to toxic metals including lead, tin, and cadmium
ADVANTAGES:
- Strong decorporation efficacy
- High affinity for the toxic elements gadolinium (Gd), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), and cadmium (Cd)
ABSTRACT:
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a decorporation agent 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) that is an effective chelator for treating exposure to toxic metals such as gadolinium (Gd), used in contrast agents to improve the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as lead (Pb), tin (Sn), and cadmium (Cd). While the decorporation agent had been demonstrated to be effective for radioactive actinides – greatly improving plutonium elimination through a 7-day post-treatment period – new studies confirmed its high affinity for other elements, enlarging its chelation prospects.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents used in clinical MRIs have been associated with serious toxicity issues leading to impaired kidney function. There are no viable options for the removal of deposited Gd or the prevention of Gd deposition associated with MRI contrast agent administration. Development of an effective decorporation strategy can inform changes in MRI practices to reduce toxicity in patients. Additionally, there has been little data on effective chelators for Pb, Sn, and Cd, and standard lead removal treatment for people with chronic disorders has resulted in toxicity issues as well.
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Proven principle
STATUS: Published U. S. Patent Application 16/097,782 (Publication No. 2019/0183868). Available for licensing or collaborative research.
SEE THESE OTHER BERKELEY LAB TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS FIELD:
Oral Dosage Forms for Actinide Decorporation Agent, IB-2016-079
Water Soluble and Highly Selective Th(IV) Sequestering Agent, IB-3232