1. |
- Eriksson, Olof, et al.
(author)
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Drug Occupancy Assessment at the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor by Positron Emission Tomography
- 2021
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In: Diabetes. - : AMER DIABETES ASSOC. - 0012-1797 .- 1939-327X. ; 70:4, s. 842-853
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Targeting of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) is an emerging strategy in antidiabetic drug development. The aim of this study was to develop a positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand for the GIPR to enable the assessment of target distribution and drug target engagement in vivo. The GIPR-selective peptide S02-GIP was radiolabeled with Ga-68. The resulting PET tracer [Ga-68]S02-GIP-T4 was evaluated for affinity and specificity to human GIPR (huGIPR). The in vivo GIPR binding of [Ga-68]S02-GIP-T4 as well as the occupancy of a drug candidate with GIPR activity were assessed in nonhuman primates (NHPs) by PET. [Ga-68]S02-GIP-T4 bound with nanomolar affinity and high selectivity to huGIPR in overexpressing cells. In vivo, pancreatic binding in NHPs could be dose-dependently inhibited by coinjection of unlabeled S02-GIP-T4. Finally, subcutaneous pretreatment with a high dose of a drug candidate with GIPR activity led to a decreased pancreatic binding of [Ga-68]S02-GIP-T4, corresponding to a GIPR drug occupancy of almost 90%. [Ga-68]S02-GIP-T4 demonstrated a safe dosimetric profile, allowing for repeated studies in humans. In conclusion, [Ga-68]S02-GIP-T4 is a novel PET biomarker for safe, noninvasive, and quantitative assessment of GIPR target distribution and drug occupancy.
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2. |
- Eriksson, Olof, et al.
(author)
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Glucagonlike Peptide-1 Receptor Imaging in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
- 2022
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In: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. - : Society of Nuclear Medicine. - 0161-5505 .- 1535-5667 .- 2159-662X. ; 63:5, s. 794-800
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) is a gut hormone receptor, intricately linked to regulation of blood glucose homeostasis via several mechanisms. It is an established and emergent drug target in metabolic disease. The PET radioligand 68Ga-DO3A-VS-exendin4 (68Ga-exendin4) has the potential to enable longitudinal studies of GLP1R in the human pancreas.Methods: 68Ga-exendin4 PET/CT examinations were performed on overweight-to-obese individuals with type 2 diabetes (n = 13) as part of a larger target engagement study (NCT03350191). A scanning protocol was developed to optimize reproducibility (target amount of 0.5 MBq/kg [corresponding to peptide amount of <0.2 µg/kg], blood sampling, and tracer stability assessment). The pancreas and abdominal organs were segmented, and binding was correlated with clinical parameters.Results: Uptake of 68Ga-exendin4 in the pancreas, but not in other abdominal tissues, was high but variable between individuals. There was no evidence of self-blocking of GLP1R by the tracer in this protocol, despite the high potency of exendin4. The results showed that a full dynamic scan can be simplified to a short static scan, potentially increasing throughput and reducing patient discomfort. The 68Ga-exendin4 concentration in the pancreas (i.e., GLP1R density) correlated inversely with the age of the individual and tended to correlate positively with body mass index. However, the total GLP1R content in the pancreas did not.Conclusion: In summary, we present an optimized and simplified 68Ga-exendin4 scanning protocol to enable reproducible imaging of GLP1R in the pancreas. 68Ga-exendin4 PET may enable quantification of longitudinal changes in pancreatic GLP1R during the development of type 2 diabetes, as well as target engagement studies of novel glucagonlike peptide-1 agonists.
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3. |
- Eriksson, Olof, et al.
(author)
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Imaging of the Glucagon Receptor in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes
- 2021
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In: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. - : SOC NUCLEAR MEDICINE INC. - 0161-5505 .- 1535-5667 .- 2159-662X. ; 62:6, s. 833-838
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite the importance of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) in disease and in pharmaceutical drug development, there is a lack of specific and sensitive biomarkers of its activation in humans. The PET radioligand Ga-68-DO3A-VS-Tuna-2 (Ga-68-Tuna-2) was developed to yield a noninvasive imaging marker for GCGR target distribution and drug target engagement in humans. Methods: The biodistribution and dosimetry of Ga-68-Tuna-2 was assessed by PET/CT in 13 individuals with type 2 diabetes as part of a clinical study assessing the occupancy of the dual GCGR/glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist SAR425899. Binding of Ga-68-Tuna-2 in liver and reference tissues was evaluated and correlated to biometrics (e.g., weight or body mass index) or other biomarkers (e.g., plasma glucagon levels). Results: Ga-68-Tuna-2 binding was seen primarily in the liver, which is in line with the strong expression of GCGR on hepatocytes. The kidneys demonstrated high excretion-related retention, whereas all other tissue demonstrated rapid washout. The SUV55 (min) (SUV during the last 10-min time frame, 50-60 min after administration) uptake endpoint was sensitive to endogenous levels of glucagon. Ga-68-Tuna-2 exhibited a safe dosimetry profile and no adverse events after intravenous administration. Conclusion: Ga-68-Tuna-2 can be used for safe and accurate assessment of the GCGR in human. It may serve as an important tool in understanding the in vivo pharmacology of novel drugs engaging the GCGR.
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4. |
- Eriksson, Olof, et al.
(author)
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Receptor occupancy of dual glucagon-like peptide 1/glucagon receptor agonist SAR425899 in individuals with type 2 diabetes
- 2020
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In: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE RESEARCH. - 2045-2322. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Unimolecular dual agonists for the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) are emerging as a potential new class of important therapeutics in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Reliable and quantitative assessments of in vivo occupancy on each receptor would improve the understanding of the efficacy of this class of drugs. In this study we investigated the target occupancy of the dual agonist SAR425899 at the GLP1R in pancreas and GCGR in liver by Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT). Patients with T2D were examined by [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-Tuna-2 and [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-Exendin4 by PET, to assess the GCGR in liver and GLP1R in pancreas, respectively. Follow up PET examinations were performed after 17 (GCGR) and 20 (GLP-1R) days of treatment with SAR425899, to assess the occupancy at each receptor. Six out of 13 included patients prematurely discontinued the study due to adverse events. SAR425899 at a dose of 0.2 mg daily demonstrated an average GCGR occupancy of 11.2 +/- 14.4% (SD) in N=5 patients and a GLP1R occupancy of 49.9 +/- 13.3%. Fasting Plasma Glucose levels (-3.30 +/- 1.14 mmol/L) and body weight (-3.87 +/- 0.87%) were lowered under treatment with SAR425899. In conclusion, SAR425899 demonstrated strong interactions at the GLP1R, but no clear occupancy at the GCGR. The study demonstrates that quantitative target engagement of dual agonists can be assessed by PET.
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5. |
- Gunwhy, Ebony R., et al.
(author)
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Assessment of hepatic transporter function in rats using dynamic gadoxetate-enhanced MRI: a reproducibility study
- 2024
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In: Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology, and Medicine. - 1352-8661 .- 0968-5243. ; In Press
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Previous studies have revealed a substantial between-centre variability in DCE-MRI biomarkers of hepatocellular function in rats. This study aims to identify the main sources of variability by comparing data measured at different centres and field strengths, at different days in the same subjects, and over the course of several months in the same centre. Materials and methods: 13 substudies were conducted across three facilities on two 4.7 T and two 7 T scanners using a 3D spoiled gradient echo acquisition. All substudies included 3–6 male Wistar-Han rats each, either scanned once with vehicle (n = 76) or twice with either vehicle (n = 19) or 10 mg/kg of rifampicin (n = 13) at follow-up. Absolute values, between-centre reproducibility, within-subject repeatability, detection limits, and effect sizes were derived for hepatocellular uptake rate (Ktrans) and biliary excretion rate (kbh). Sources of variability were identified using analysis of variance and stratification by centre, field strength, and time period. Results: Data showed significant differences between substudies of 31% for Ktrans (p = 0.013) and 43% for kbh (p < 0.001). Within-subject differences were substantially smaller for kbh (8%) but less so for Ktrans (25%). Rifampicin-induced inhibition was safely above the detection limits, with an effect size of 75 ± 3% in Ktrans and 67 ± 8% in kbh. Most of the variability in individual data was accounted for by between-subject (Ktrans = 23.5%; kbh = 42.5%) and between-centre (Ktrans = 44.9%; kbh = 50.9%) variability, substantially more than the between-day variation (Ktrans = 0.1%; kbh = 5.6%). Significant differences in kbh were found between field strengths at the same centre, between centres at the same field strength, and between repeat experiments over 2 months apart in the same centre. Discussion: Between-centre bias caused by factors such as hardware differences, subject preparations, and operator dependence is the main source of variability in DCE-MRI of liver function in rats, closely followed by biological between-subject differences. Future method development should focus on reducing these sources of error to minimise the sample sizes needed to detect more subtle levels of inhibition.
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6. |
- Hoellein, Alexander, et al.
(author)
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Myc-induced SUMOylation is a therapeutic vulnerability for B-cell lymphoma.
- 2014
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In: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 1528-0020 .- 0006-4971. ; 124:13, s. 2081-90
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Myc oncogenic transcription factors (c-Myc, N-Myc, and L-Myc) coordinate the control of cell growth, division, and metabolism. In cancer, Myc overexpression is often associated with aggressive disease, which is in part due to the destruction of select targets by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (eg, SCF(Skp2)-directed destruction of the Cdk inhibitor p27(Kip1)). We reasoned that Myc would also regulate SUMOylation, a related means of posttranslational modification of proteins, and that this circuit would play essential roles in Myc-dependent tumorigenesis. Here, we report marked increases in the expression of genes that encode regulators and components of the SUMOylation machinery in mouse and human Myc-driven lymphomas, resulting in hyper-SUMOylation in these tumors. Further, inhibition of SUMOylation by genetic means disables Myc-induced proliferation, triggering G2/M cell-cycle arrest, polyploidy, and apoptosis. Using genetically defined cell models and conditional expression systems, this response was shown to be Myc specific. Finally, in vivo loss-of-function and pharmacologic studies demonstrated that inhibition of SUMOylation provokes rapid regression of Myc-driven lymphoma. Thus, targeting SUMOylation represents an attractive therapeutic option for lymphomas with MYC involvement.
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7. |
- Melillo, Nicola, et al.
(author)
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Use of In Vivo Imaging and Physiologically-Based Kinetic Modelling to Predict Hepatic Transporter Mediated Drug–Drug Interactions in Rats
- 2023
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In: Pharmaceutics. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4923. ; 15:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gadoxetate, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, is a substrate of organic-anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2. Six drugs, with varying degrees of transporter inhibition, were used to assess gadoxetate dynamic contrast enhanced MRI biomarkers for transporter inhibition in rats. Prospective prediction of changes in gadoxetate systemic and liver AUC (AUCR), resulting from transporter modulation, were performed by physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling. A tracer-kinetic model was used to estimate rate constants for hepatic uptake (khe), and biliary excretion (kbh). The observed median fold-decreases in gadoxetate liver AUC were 3.8- and 1.5-fold for ciclosporin and rifampicin, respectively. Ketoconazole unexpectedly decreased systemic and liver gadoxetate AUCs; the remaining drugs investigated (asunaprevir, bosentan, and pioglitazone) caused marginal changes. Ciclosporin decreased gadoxetate khe and kbh by 3.78 and 0.09 mL/min/mL, while decreases for rifampicin were 7.20 and 0.07 mL/min/mL, respectively. The relative decrease in khe (e.g., 96% for ciclosporin) was similar to PBPK-predicted inhibition of uptake (97–98%). PBPK modelling correctly predicted changes in gadoxetate systemic AUCR, whereas underprediction of decreases in liver AUCs was evident. The current study illustrates the modelling framework and integration of liver imaging data, PBPK, and tracer-kinetic models for prospective quantification of hepatic transporter-mediated DDI in humans.
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8. |
- Velikyan, Irina, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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First-in-class positron emission tomography tracer for the glucagon receptor
- 2019
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In: EJNMMI Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2191-219X. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The glucagon receptor (GCGR) is emerging as an important target in anti-diabetic therapy, especially as part of the pharmacology of dual glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon (GLP-1/GCG) receptor agonists. However, currently, there are no suitable biomarkers that reliably demonstrate GCG receptor target engagement.Methods: Two potent GCG receptor peptide agonists, S01-GCG and S02-GCG, were labeled with positron emission tomography (PET) radionuclide gallium-68. The GCG receptor binding affinity and specificity of the resulting radiopharmaceuticals [68Ga]Ga-DO3A-S01-GCG and [68Ga]Ga-DO3A-S02-GCG were evaluated in HEK-293 cells overexpressing the human GCG receptor and on frozen hepatic sections from human, non-human primate, and rat. In in vivo biodistribution, binding specificity and dosimetry were assessed in rat.Results: [68Ga]Ga-DO3A-S01-GCG in particular demonstrated GCG receptor-mediated binding in cells and liver tissue with affinity in the nanomolar range required for imaging. [68Ga]Ga-DO3A-S01-GCG binding was not blocked by co-incubation of a GLP-1 agonist. In vivo binding in rat liver was GCG receptor specific with low non-specific binding throughout the body. Moreover, the extrapolated human effective doses, predicted from rat biodistribution data, allow for repeated PET imaging potentially also in combination with GLP-1R radiopharmaceuticals.Conclusion: [68Ga]Ga-DO3A-S01-GCG thus constitutes a first-in-class PET tracer targeting the GCG receptor, with suitable properties for clinical development. This tool has potential to provide direct quantitative evidence of GCG receptor occupancy in humans.
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9. |
- Velikyan, Irina, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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Imaging of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor Using a Novel Radiolabeled Peptide Rationally Designed Based on Endogenous GIP and Synthetic Exendin-4 Sequences
- 2023
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In: Pharmaceuticals. - : MDPI. - 1424-8247. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Imaging and radiotherapy targeting the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) could potentially benefit the management of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), complementing clinically established radiopharmaceuticals. The aim of this study was to evaluate a GIPR-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand with receptor-specific binding, fast blood clearance, and low liver background uptake. The peptide DOTA-bioconjugate, C803-GIP, was developed based on the sequence of the endogenous GIP(1-30) and synthetic exendin-4 peptides with selective amino acid mutations to combine their specificity for the GIPR and in vivo stability, respectively. The Ga-68-labeled bioconjugate was evaluated in vitro in terms of binding affinity, specificity, and internalization in HEK293 cells transfected with the human GIPR, GLP1, or GCG receptors and in sections of human insulinoma and NENs. In vivo binding specificity, biodistribution, and tissue background were investigated in mice bearing huGIPR-HEK293 xenografts and in a pig. Ex vivo organ distribution, pharmacokinetics, and dosimetry were studied in normal rats. [Ga-68]Ga-C803-GIP was stable and demonstrated a high affinity to the huGIPR-HEK293 cells. Binding specificity was demonstrated in vitro in frozen sections of NENs and huGIPR-HEK293 cells. No specific uptake was observed in the negative controls of huGLP1R and huGCGR cells. A novel rationally designed PET radioligand, [Ga-68]Ga-C803-GIP, demonstrated promising binding characteristics and specificity towards the GIPR.
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10. |
- Wagner, Michael, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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Automated GMP-Compliant Production of [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-Tuna-2 for PET Microdosing Studies of the Glucagon Receptor in Humans
- 2020
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In: Pharmaceuticals. - : MDPI. - 1424-8247. ; 13:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 (previously published as [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-S01-GCG) has shown high-affinity specific binding to the glucagon receptor (GCGR) in vitro and in vivo in rats and non-human primates in our previous studies, confirming the suitability of the tracer for drug development applications in humans. The manufacturing process of [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 was automated for clinical use to meet the radiation safety and good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements.Methods:The automated synthesis platform (Modular-Lab PharmTrace, Eckert & Ziegler, Eurotope, Germany), disposable cassettes for(68)Ga-labeling, and pharmaceutical-grade(68)Ge/Ga-68 generator (GalliaPharm(R)) used in the study were purchased from Eckert & Ziegler. The parameters such as time, temperature, precursor concentration, radical scavenger, buffer concentration, and pH, as well as product purification step, were investigated and optimized. Process optimization was conducted with regard to product quality and quantity, as well as process reproducibility. The active pharmaceutical ingredient starting material DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 (GMP-grade) was provided by Sanofi Aventis.Results:The reproducible and GMP-compliant automated production of [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 with on-line documentation was developed. The non-decay-corrected radiochemical yield was 45.2 +/- 2.5% (n= 3, process validation) at the end of the synthesis with a labeling synthesis duration of 38 min and a quality controlincluding release procedure of 20 min. The radiochemical purity of the product was 98.9 +/- 0.6% (n= 17) with the total amount of the peptide in the preparation of 48 +/- 2 mu g (n= 3, process validation). Radionuclidic purity, sterility, endotoxin content, residual solvent content, and sterile filter integrity tests met the acceptance criteria. The product was stable at ambient temperature for at least 2 h.Conclusion:The fully automated GMP-compliant manufacturing process was developed and thoroughly validated. The resulting [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 was used in a clinical study for accurate quantification of GCGR occupancy by a dual anti-diabetic drug in vivo in humans.
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11. |
- Waterton, John C., et al.
(author)
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Repeatability and reproducibility of longitudinal relaxation rate in 12 small-animal MRI systems
- 2019
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In: Magnetic Resonance Imaging. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-5894 .- 0730-725X. ; 59, s. 121-129
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Many translational MR biomarkers derive from measurements of the water proton longitudinal relaxation rate R 1 , but evidence for between-site reproducibility of R 1 in small-animal MRI is lacking. Objective: To assess R 1 repeatability and multi-site reproducibility in phantoms for preclinical MRI. Methods: R 1 was measured by saturation recovery in 2% agarose phantoms with five nickel chloride concentrations in 12 magnets at 5 field strengths in 11 centres on two different occasions within 1–13 days. R 1 was analysed in three different regions of interest, giving 360 measurements in total. Root-mean-square repeatability and reproducibility coefficients of variation (CoV) were calculated. Propagation of reproducibility errors into 21 translational MR measurements and biomarkers was estimated. Relaxivities were calculated. Dynamic signal stability was also measured. Results: CoV for day-to-day repeatability (N = 180 regions of interest) was 2.34% and for between-centre reproducibility (N = 9 centres) was 1.43%. Mostly, these do not propagate to biologically significant between-centre error, although a few R 1 -based MR biomarkers were found to be quite sensitive even to such small errors in R 1 , notably in myocardial fibrosis, in white matter, and in oxygen-enhanced MRI. The relaxivity of aqueous Ni 2+ in 2% agarose varied between 0.66 s −1 mM −1 at 3 T and 0.94 s −1 mM −1 at 11.7T. Interpretation: While several factors affect the reproducibility of R 1 -based MR biomarkers measured preclinically, between-centre propagation of errors arising from intrinsic equipment irreproducibility should in most cases be small. However, in a few specific cases exceptional efforts might be required to ensure R 1 -reproducibility.
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