Development of a platform for the production of multiple modal chelating and imaging agents using desferrioxamine and bovine albumin as a model

The linker p-SCN-Bz-desferrioxamine was used as a conjugating agent to bovine serum albumin. The conjugate (BSA-DFO) did not display relevant structural alterations in comparison with the native protein. BSA-DFO was able to bind iron in a high affinity, antioxidant form similar to the native siderophore desferrioxamine. The gadolinium complex of BSA-DFO displayed 7–10 times higher relaxivities compared to the low molecular weight complex. Preparation of the radiotracers 68 Ga(BSA-DFO) and 89 Zr(BSA-DFO) in high radiochemical yields was accomplished quickly in mild conditions. These results indicate that BSA-DFO might be useful as an alternative treatment for iron overload disorders, and as a platform for the production of radiotracers or contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.