CONTRAST AGENT FOR NMR SCANNING

Abstract: Complexes formed between a) an amino di- or poly­ phosphonate in which phosphonate groups comprise sepa­ rate carbon atoms and b) a paramagnetic metal ion such as Gd³⁺, have calcified tissue seeking properties which make them useful as contrast agents for investigating bone meta­ bolism by NMR scanning. Two preferred poly-phosphonates are ethylenediamine tetramethylphosphonate and meta­ xylene-diamine tetramethylphosphonate.

Description: This invention relates to a contrast agent for investigating calcified tissue by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scanning. Contrast agents are used in NMR scanning to alter the T₁ and T₂ relaxation times of protons in their vicinity. Analysis of proton relaxation times is used to determine where in the body or other object being scanned the contrast agent has become located; and this in turn can provide information about the internal structure of the body. Calcified tissue contains relatively few protons as a result of low water content, and hence cannot be visualized in NMR scans. If a contrast agent could be caused to locate on or in calcified tissues and there to alter the T₁ or T₂ relaxation times of adjacent protons, it would be possible thereby to generate an NMR scanning image that might give valuable information about the state of the calcified tissues. It is known that phosphates (-O-PO₃H₂) and phosphonates (-C-PO₃H₂) have an affinity for hydroxyapatite crystals, and thus tend to locate in vivo in regions of bone metabolism. In "Use of Radiolabelled Compounds in Medicine" Chapter 34, G. Subramanian et al., compare and contrast the properties as bone agents of complexes of di- and poly-phosphates and phosphonates with the radioactive isotope Tc-99m. Kits for preparing radioactive bone agents by labelling some of these di and poly-phosphates and phosphonates with Tc-99m are available commercially. In addition, mention can be made EP-A-122813 which describes ethylene glycol-1,2-bis phosphonic acid and its complex with Tc-99m as a bone seeking agent. It is known that Tc-99m agents intended to locate in regions of bone metabolism can also locate in certain tumours, e.g. neuroblastoma, and other diseased tissues. Uptake of such agents in tumours is attributed to calcification in the tumours (Clinical Nuclear Medicine, 11, 337-40, 1986). As used herein, the term calcified tissue includes bone and regions of bone metabolism, and also regions of calcification in tumours and other diseased tissues. Technetium is a transition metal in group 7B of the periodic table. It may reasonably be expected that other transition metal ions, including those with paramagnetic properties, will be capable of forming complexes with di- and poly-phosphonates. EP-A-133603 describes relaxation agents for modifying the contrasts obtained in medical imaging by NMR. These relaxation agents are complexes of paramagnetic metal ions with a variety of organic complexants including polyamino polymethylphosphonates. But no practical data are provided, nor is there any discussion of the biodistribution of the complexes. In DE-B-3129906, there are described complexes of various geminal di-phosphonates (that is to say, with two phosphonic acid groups attached to the same carbon atom) with ions of elements of atomic numbers 57 to 70, 21 to 29, 42 or 44. These complexes are stated to be suitable for administration to patients for NMR diagnosis, but no animal results are given. In particular, no indication is given of the toxicity of the complexes or of their solubility, which is important for administration. So far as biodistribution is concerned, it is merely stated that the complexes appear to be admirably suited for improved demarcation and location of lesions of the pancreas and liver and of tumours and haemorrhages in the cranial region. The possible use of poly-phosphonates for NMR bone scanning is not mentioned. In the light of the Schering disclosure, the following doubts remained:- a) Di and poly-phosphonates are known to be toxic by reason of their ability to bind calcium ions. Similarly, most paramagnetic transition metal ions are toxic to a greater or lesser extent. Complexes of the two may be less toxic, but only provided that the complexes are stable in vivo . It was not predictable whether this would be the case. b) The complexes can only be useful for skeletal imaging by NMR if they tend to locate in regions of bone tissue. It was not known whether this would be the case. c) The complexes can only be useful for imaging by NMR if the complexed paramagnetic metal ion is nevertheless capable of altering the T₁ relaxation times of protons in its neighbourhood. It is known that complexing of the metal ions can reduce their activity in this respect. It was not possible to tell whether paramagnetic metal ions which were sufficiently strongly complexed to avoid toxicity problems would nevertheless retain the ability to alter proton relaxation times. d) The complexes can only be useful for skeletal imaging by NMR if they can be brought into solution in adequate concentrations at physiologically acceptable pH's. At least some of the complexes described are not sufficiently soluble. According to the present invention, these doubts are resolved. The invention concerns a contrast agent for investigating calcified tissue by NMR scanning which agent comprises a complex formed between a) an amino di- or poly-phosphonate in which phosphonate groups comprise different carbon atoms, and b) a paramagnetic metal ion. The invention also concerns use of the complex for the preparation of the contrast agent. The invention also concerns the investigation of calcified tissue by NMR scanning following introduction of the contrast agent into the body. Some of the complexes are new compounds and are claimed as such. Preferred di- or poly-phosphonates contain the groups -N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ at one or more, generally one or two, positions in the molecule. These phosphonates may have the formula:- YN(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ or Z[N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂]₂ where each of Y and Z may be an aliphatic or aromatic groups containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may also contain one or more hydroxyl, ether, carboxylate, sulphonate, amine or aminomethylphosphonate groups, or non-toxic salts thereof. Complexes containing aromatic groups are believed new. A poly-phosphonate may for example have the general formula:- NX₂.CH₂.PO₃H₂ where the two groups X are the same or different and each is -CH₂PO₃H₂ or -(CH₂) n N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂, and n is up to 10, preferably 2 or 6, or a non-toxic salt thereof. Examples of specific poly-phosphonates are nitrilo-trimethylphosphonate, hexamethylene diamine tetramethylphosphonate (HDTMP), ethylene diamine tetramethylphosphonate (EDTMP), diethylene triamine pentamethylphosponate (DTPMP), meta-xylene-diamine tetramethylphosphonate (MXDTMP), and non-toxic salts thereof. Suitable paramagnetic metal ions are well known in the field and include those of the lanthanide elements with atomic numbers 58 to 70, and those of the transition metals with atomic numbers 21 to 29, 42 and 44. Preferred are Mn(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Gd(III), Fe(III), Cr(III), Dy(III) and V(IV). Factors affecting the choice of metal ion are its paramagnetic properties, the stability and solubility of the metal ion phosphonate complex, its toxicity, and the extent to which the metal ion in the complex interacts with water so as to vary the proton relaxation times. The agents may also be used in a NMR chemical shift imaging technique. The complexes are easily prepared, by mixing an aqueous solution of the chosen di- or poly-phosphonate with an aqueous solution of a salt of the chosen transition metal. Or a di- or poly-phosphonate may be added to an aqueous suspension of the transition metal carbonate. The precise structures of the complexes are not known with certainty, and may vary depending on the nature of reagents. The solutions may be buffered, generally at a pH in the range 4 to 10, and the mixture may be brought to a suitable pH for administration. Complex-formation takes place rapidly, and without the need for heating the mixed solutions. Although equimolar amounts of the reagents may be used and give satisfactory results, in some cases it may be advantageous to use a higher molar concentration of the phosphate than of the metal ion. For example, in the case of the complex formed from EDTMP and Gd, it is preferred to use a molar ratio of EDTMP to Gd of at least 1.5. An upper limit for this ratio is set by the extent to which EDTMP is toxic and the amount of the complex to be administered. The toxic effects of excess EDTMP, or other phosphonates, are preferably countered by the incorporation of quantities of calcium within the formulation. In order to investigate calcified tissue by NMR scanning, it may be necessary to administer, preferably by injection, an aqueous solution of the complex of from 0.5 to 250mM, preferably 1 to 50mM, concentration with respect to the paramagnetic metal ion. The volume for injection into a human subject is typically from 1 to 100ml. If the desired quantity would be hypertonic if presented in a small volume for injection, then it may be converted to organic salt form, for example to the N-methyl glucamine salt, in accordance with known procedures. The Examples below are organized as follows. Example 1 described the preparation of three complexes according to the invention and shows that these are capable of altering proton relaxation times (T₁ and T₂). Example 2 describes the preparation of other complexes, and uses radioactive ¹⁵³Gd to demonstrate the extent to which these are bone-seeking in rats. Example 3 describes the preparation of 12 further di- and poly-phosphonates. Example 4 describes the preparation and proton T1 relaxation properties of complexes from the phosphonates of Example 3. Example 5 describes the preparation and proton T₁ relaxation properties of hydroxy apatite adducts of complexes of Example 4. The results indicate that the complexes are bone-seeking in vivo, and act in bound form as effective contrast agents for investigating calcified tissue by NMR scanning. Example 1 0.043g Gd(NO₃)₃.5H₂O was mixed with 0.046g EDTMP in 5ml acetate buffer (pH 5.6). 1ml 1M NaOH was added. To the clear solution a further 4ml of acetate buffer was added to make the total volume 10ml, (pH 5.6) containing 10mM concentration of a complex designated Gd.EDTMP. Similarly by using HDTMP and DTPMP there were prepared aqueous solutions of complexes designated Gd.HDTMP and Gd.DTPMP respectively. Binding studies, via observation of T₁ and T₂ relaxation times in water have shown that the metal:ligand complexes are in a 1:1 ratio. In relaxation studies of the three complexes, the T₁ results obtained are set out in Table 1. The complexed Gd is clearly capable in all cases of altering T₁ relaxation times of protons in its neighbourhood. Further studies were performed with Gd.EDTMP in a body scanner operating at 6 MHz. The T₁ relaxation time for water was determined as 1513ms, whereas the T₁ relaxation time for a 0.1mM Gd.EDTMP solution was determined as 722ms. This confirms that the complexed Gd is capable of altering T₁ relaxation times of protons under conditions likely to be used in practice. Example 2 This example uses ¹⁵³Gd to compare the biodistribution properties of various complexes in rats. Equal volumes of 1mM methylene diphosphonic acid and 0.5mM Gd³⁺ were used to prepare a complex designated Gd.MDP. The complex had poor solubility properties around physiological pH's. Equal volumes of 10mM ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid and 5mM Gd³⁺ were used to prepare a complex designated Gd.EHDP. But the pH of the mixture had to be kept above 7 to avoid precipitation. Equal volumes of 10mM EDTMP and 5mM Gd³⁺ were used to prepare the complex Gd.EDTMP. Using ¹⁵³Gd, a comparison was made of certain properties of aqueous "solutions" of ¹⁵³GdCl₃ ¹⁵³Gd.MDP (0.5mM with respect to Gd) ¹⁵³Gd.EHDP (5mM with respect to Gd) ¹⁵³Gd.EDTMP (5mM with respect to Gd) The results are set out in Table 2. The biodistribution data there reported were obtained by means of an IV study in male rats which were sacrified two hours post injection. % activity per organ is given, together with ratios of bone to organ. These results show that the complexes Gd.MDP and Gd.EHDP are not useful as bone scanning agents. On the other hand, the invention complex Gd.EDTMP is shown to be a good bone-seeking agent, and a good T₁ relaxation agent for water. It is known that Ca²⁺ can bind to di- and poly-phosphonates, and that this is one reason why these materials are toxic. It is also known that dimethylglucamine can be used to solubilize complexes of this kind. Checks on whether the bone uptake of the two complexes Gd.EDTMP and Gd.EHDP was affected by the addition (separately) to their aqueous solutions of Ca²⁺ and dimethylglucamine; showed that neither addition had a significant effect. Example 3 The phosphonates listed below were synthesised by a direct Mannich type reaction using an amine, formaldehyde and phosphorous acid. The basic reaction is given in the paper by Moedritzer (JCS 1966 vol. 31 p 1603). The reaction is seen by ³¹PNMR to proceed quantitatively and isolation of the product was generally achieved by filtration and washing of the precipitate which forms during the reaction. In some cases isolation was achieved by concentration of the reaction mixture and in others by addition of ethanol to the concentrated reaction mixture. The method used is indicated below. The general reaction scheme is to heat the solution of the amine, phosphorous acid and concentrated HCl to reflux temperature. 100% excess of aqueous formaldehyde solution was then added over 1 hour. The reaction mixture is then refluxed for a further 1 hour and the product isolated. Example para-xylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate 41g H₃PO₄ were dissolved in 100ml of H₂O/concentrated HCl (50:50 v.v) and 17g p-xylene diamine were added. The solution was brought to reflux and 80ml formaldehyde solution 37% w/v were added over 1 hour. The solution was refluxed for a further hour during which precipitation of the product occurred. The solution was allowed to cool and the product filtered and washed with water, ethanol and ether, and dried at 100 o C. Yield 45.8g m.p. 249-251 o C Calculated for C₁₂H₂₆N₂O₁₂P₄ C 28.12 H4.69 N5.47 P24.21 Found C28.09 H4.79 N5.49 P24.04 Ligands Synthesised Amino ethanol dimethylene phosphonate - AEDMP Glycine dimethylene phosphonate - GDMP Gamma amino butyric acid dimethylene phosphonate - GABADMP 6-amino hexanoic acid dimethylene phosphonate - AHADMP Meta-xylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate - MXDTMP Para-xylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate - PXDTMP 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxy-propane tetramethylene phosphonate - DHPTMP 3,3'-diaminopropyl-N-methyl dipropylamine tetramethylene phosphonate - DPNDPTMD 4,9-Dioxa-1,12-dodecane-di-amine tetramethylene phosphonate DDDATMP Di-propylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonate - DPTPMP Triethylene tetramine hexamethylene phosphonate - TTHMP N,N'-bis (3 amine propyl) ethylene diamine hexamethylene phosphonate - BAPEDHMP Ligand m.p. Yield Isolation Form AEDMP 235-237 o C 40.1% C White crystals GDMP 200-201 o C 60.8% B White crystals GABADMP 202-204 o C 63.3% B White crystals AHADMP 192-194 o C 84.4% A White crystals MXDTMP 238-239 o C 74.2% A White crystals PXDTMP 249-250 o C 76.5% A White crystals DHPTMP 272-275 o C 60.5% C White crystals DPNDPT 228-230 o C 65.1% C White crystals Ligand m.p. Yield Isolation Form DDDATMP 145-147 o C 70.3% C White crystals DPTPMP 195-299 o C 58.8% C White crystals TTMMP 206-208 o C 42.8% B Off white crystals BAPEDHMP 192-200 o C 85.0% C White crystals Isolation A - Crystallised out of reaction mixture B - Crystallised out after reducing volume C - Crystallised out after reducing volume and adding ethanol All products isolated as white/off white powders regular shapes under microscope. Example 4 1. The preparation of copper, nickel, manganese and cobalt complexes was achieved by heating the ligands, in suspension, with the metal carbonate. Example Preparation of manganese metaxylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate. 2.6g MXDTMP and 0.56g of MnCO₃ were heated together in 200ml H₂O for 1 hour. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure to produce a free flowing white powder. Yield 2.65g Calculated for C₁₂H₂₈N₂O₁₂P₄ C23.08 H4.29 N4.62 P20.49 96% recovery Found C23.08 H4.13 N4.72 P19.51 2. Complexes with metals such as chromium and gadolinium were systhesised by mixing equal molar quantities of ligand and metal salt. The methods differ in exact technique. Gd(NO₃)₃.5H₂O is added slowly to a solution of the sodium salt of the ligand at pH 7.0. There is precipitation but this is redissolved upon adding NaOH(dilute). Any suitable strength Gd phosphonate solution can be made in this way. Ligands containing less than four amino phosphonates were added at a concentration twice that of the metal with higher numbers of -CH₂PO₃H₂ groups the metal ligand ratio is 1:1. Chromium (Cr) complexes were made by boiling equimolar amounts of ligand and Cr(NO₃)₃.9H₂O or in some cases ligand present in 2:1 excess as above. The reaction was seen to occur by noting the colour change blue to green. The mixtures were refluxed for 1-2 hours. The pale green precipitate was redissolved by addition of dilute NaOH to give a pH of about 7.0. Relaxation Data 1 Relaxation measurements have been made on the phosphonate complexes at 200MHz and 10MHz a clinically relevant field strength. Relaxation Data 2 The aromatic ligand MXDTMP when completed to metal results in efficient T₁ relaxations. The lines obtained at 200MHz are sharp which implies less effect on T₂ relaxation. This would result in efficient T₁ relaxation but without loss of signal intensity due to line broadening. Relaxation Data 3 Relaxation measurements have been made at 10MHz at 37 o C for the complexes of MXDTMP at 10mM concentration. T₁ T₂ CrMXDTMP 160 ms 130 ms MnMXDTMP 10 ms 9 ms GdMXDTMP 10 ms 7 ms At 10 MHz 37 o C MXDTMP gives better relaxation than EDTMP. Example 5 Binding to Hydroxy Apatite. 1ml of hydroxy apatite solution 250mg/ml in water was used for all the binding assays to be described. 1. Binding of Ligands The solid from 1 ml of hydroxy apatite solution was isolated by centrifugation and the supernatant removed. 0.4ml of a 0.1M solution of ligand at pH 7.5 ± 0.1 were than added and the solid resuspended. The solid was once more spun down and the supernatant analyzed by ³¹P NMR. This enabled the amount of bound phosphonate to be analyzed. 2. Binding of Complexes The procedure above was followed but this time 0.4ml of 50mM metal complex solution was added and the solid resuspended. The supernatant was analysed by T₁ using T₁ relaxation measurements and the amount bound to hydroxy apatite calculated. 3. Relaxation of Hydroxy Apatite-Complex Adducts The binding studies above produced hydroxy apatite with phosphonate complexes bound. These solids were resuspended at 10mg/ml and the T₁ and T₂ relaxation times measured at 10 MHz and 37 o C. Binding of Ligands to Hydroxy Apatite ³¹P Study Ligand % Bound to HAP AEDMP 50.9 GDMP 88.2 GABADMP 77.8 AHADMP 89.7 EDTMP 89.4 BDTMP 75.7 MDTMP 85.5 ODTMP 84.9 MXDTMP 84.1 PXDTMP 88.0 Relaxation of Hydroxy Apatite-Complex Adducts Complex 10mg/ml T₁ 10MHz 37 o C T₂ 10MHz 37 o C None HAP only 2.50s 0.97s Cr(AEDMP)₂ 1.03s 0.53s Cr(GDMP)₂ 0.97s 0.54s Cr(GABADMP)₂ 1.39s 0.67s Cr(AHADMP)₂ 1.17s 0.55s CrMXDTMP 0.98s 0.56s Mn(AEDMP)₂ 0.14s 0.12s Mn(GDMP)₂ 0.24s 0.24s Mn(GABADMP)₂ 0.24s 0.16s Mn(AHADMP)₂ 0.26s 0.18s MnEDTMP 0.23s 0.13s MnBDTMP 0.19s 0.13s MnMDTMP 0.08s 0.06s MnMXDTMP 0.13s 0.11s GdMXDTMP 0.06s 0.06s The ³¹P study shows few differences between ligand all except (AEDMP) binding about 80% to hydroxy apatite and the figures are not significant when one realises the large errors in quantitation in NMR. The binding of metal complexes do show differences and this experiment is such that these figures are significant. Small changes in ligand structure give different binding and the model separates the complexes on adsorption characteristics. The last set of results shows that the complexes once bound still give relaxation of water molecules. The reduction is very significant and indicates the utility of these compounds in vivo. The differences in T₁/T₂ for different complexes may be useful to decide which complexes would give rise to good T₁ relaxation changes with the least loss of signal intensity. This hydroxy apatite experiment indicates that the complexes will bind to calcified tissue in vivo, and will act in bound form as effective contrast agents for investigating calcified tissue by NMR screening. But the hydroxy apatite-complex adducts are likely to have utility of their own. After oral administration, they are likely to permit NMR imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. For this purpose the adducts compare favourably with those described in EP-A-183760.

Claims: Use, for the preparation of a contrast agent for investigating calcified tissue by NMR scanning, of a complex formed between a) an amino di- or poly-phosphonate in which phosphonate groups comprise different carbon atoms, and b) a paramagnetic metal ion. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the di- or poly-phosphonate contains the group -N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂. Use as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the poly-phosphonate has the general formula NX₂CH₂PO₃H₂, where the two groups X are the same or different and each is - CH₂PO₃H₂ or - (CH₂) n N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂, and n is up to 10, or a non-toxic salt thereof. Use as claimed in claim 3, wherein the poly-phosphonate is ethylenediamine tetramethylphosphonate. Use as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the poly-phosphonate is meta-xylene-diamine tetramethylphosphonate. Use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion is Gd(III) or Fe(III). Use as claimed in claim 6, wherein the complex is formed from a) ethylenediamine tetramethylphosphonate and b) Gd(III) in a molar ratio of a) to b) of at least 1.5. Use as claimed in claim 7, wherein the complex is present in solution at a concentration of from 1 to 50mM with respect to Gd. An adduct with hydroxy apatite of a complex formed between a) an amino di- or poly-phosphonate in which phosphonate groups comprise different carbon atoms, and b) a paramagnetic metal ion. A complex formed between a) a di- or poly-phosphonate having the formula YN(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ or Z[N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂]₂ where each of Y and Z is an aliphatic or aromatic group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms including at least one continuous chain of 3 or more carbon atoms, which group may also contain one or more hydroxyl, ether, carboxylate, sulphonate, amine or aminomethylphosphonate groups, or a non-toxic salt thereof, and b) a paramagnetic metal ion. A complex as claimed in claim 10, wherein the paramagnetic metal is Gd³⁺. A complex formed from meta-xylene-diamine tetramethylphosphonic acid or a non-toxic salt thereof, and Gd³⁺.

Inventors: HARDING, CHARLES THOMAS, KELLY, JAMES DUNCAN, MCEWEN, ANDREW BRUCE, SADLER, PETER JOHN
Applicants: GUERBET S.A.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61K49
IPC codes: A61B10, C07F13, C07F15, C07F9, A61K49, G01R33, A61B5, C07F5, C07F11