Magnevist® is a paramagnetic ionic contrast agent for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Contrast enhanced MRI with Magnevist® allows additional diagnostic information of tumors, inflammation and vascular lesions and the determination or differentiation of such lesions.
The contrast enhancing effect is produced by the di-N-methylglucamine salt of gadopentetate (Gd-DTPA), the gadolinium complex of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid. Magnevist® has the strongest effect on T1 weighted images, by increasing T1 signal intensity in tissues where Magnevist® has accumulated.

WARNING: NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS Gadolinium-based contrast agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73m²), or acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.

See also Ionic Intravenous Contrast Agents and Gadopentetate Dimeglumine.

OptiMARK® is a formulation of a nonionic gadolinium chelate of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid bismethoxyethylamide (gadoversetamide), for use as a paramagnetic MRI contrast agent. OptiMARK® (gadoversetamide injection) is to be administered by intravenous injection. OptiMARK® is indicated for MRI diagnostic procedures to provide increased enhancement and visualization of lesions of the brain, spine and liver, including tumors.

WARNING: NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS Gadolinium-based contrast agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73m²), or acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.

Primovist™ (U.S brand name Eovist®) is a highly specific MRI contrast agent for the imaging, detection and characterization of liver conditions, including liver tumors, cysts, as well as other malignant and benign lesions. It is a water-soluble ethoxybenzyl derivative of Gd-DTPA. This compound is taken up by the hepatocytes (approximately 30% of the dose goes to the hepatocytes) and is equally excreted renal and biliary in humans.
Primovist™ brightens the signal of T1 weighted MR images immediately after contrast administration. Dynamic scanning and imaging of the accumulation phase (best after 20 min.) can also be performed after bolus injection of Primovistâ„¢. The hepatocytes uptake will increase the signal intensity of normal liver parenchyma. This results in improved lesion-to-liver contrast because malignant tumors (metastases, the majority of hepatocellular carcinomas) do not contain either hepatocytes or their functioning is hampered.

WARNING: Gadolinium-based contrast agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73m²), or acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.

Short name: NC100150, PEG-feron, generic name: Feruglose, preliminary trade name: Clariscanâ„¢
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 Vasovistâ„¢ from EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., but at this time the development of NC100150 Injection/Clariscan™ is discontinued.

Short name: SHU 555 A, generic name: Ferucarbotran
A RES-directed MRI contrast agent (SPIO) made-up of a colloidal sol of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with carboxydextran (Resovist®, Cliavist™).
It is used for the detection and characterization of especially small focal liver lesions and offers the opportunity to make a reliable diagnosis at a very early stage of patients with suspected liver tumors.
Bayer Schering Pharma AG announced that it has received marketing approval for the liver-specific contrast agent Resovist® in Japan. See Contrast Agents and Superparamagnetic Contrast Agents.