Short name: NC100150, PEG-feron, generic name: Feruglose, preliminary trade name: Clariscan™
NC100150 injection is the code name for an
USPIO (
ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide)
MRI contrast agent under development. Microvessel
permeability depends on functional and morphologic characteristics of cancer vessels
and on physicochemical properties of the injected
contrast medium molecule.
USPIO particles have a favorable pharmacological and tolerance profile and are being tested clinically of the potential for the quantitative
characterization of tumor microvasculature and specifically for measures of the microvessel
permeability.
Iron-based products take advantage of their large molecular size, which prevents
diffusion into body tissues. These agents are disposed of by the
liver and spleen as particulate
matter.
NC100150 Injection (
Nycomed Amersham,
Amersham Health ) consists of
USPIO particles that are composed of single crystals (4- to 7-nm diameter) and stabilized with a carbohydrate polyethylene glycol (PEG) coat. The iron oxide particles
have to be suspended in an isotonic glucose solution. The final diameter of an
USPIO particle is approximately 20 nm. Blood pool half-life is more than two hours in humans; the particles are taken up by the mononuclear
phagocyte system and distributed mainly to the
liver and spleen.
NC100150 would compete with the
contrast agents Ferumoxytol from
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Vasovist™ from
EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., but at this time the development of NC100150 Injection/
Clariscan™ is discontinued.