Gd(DOTA): an alternative to Gd(DTPA) as a T1,2 relaxation agent for NMR imaging or spectroscopy.

Methods have been devised for obtaining gadolinium(III) complexes of the ligands NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid), DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid), TETA (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid), and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) as solids for use as pharmaceuticals. Their effectiveness as in vitro and in vivo contrast agents for NMR imaging or T1,2 relaxation agents for spectroscopy has been investigated. The Gd(DOTA) complex was shown to be a more stable alternative to Gd(DTPA) by serum stability studies and measurement of stability constants. Images of tumors grown in athymic mice were obtained by NMR after injection of Gd(DOTA) and Gd(DTPA).