IN-VIVO NMR THERMOMETRY WITH LIPOSOMES CONTAINING CO-59 COMPLEXES

The ability to make localized temperature measurements in tissue durin g hyperthermia treatment of cancer is an essential factor in optimizin g its efficacy. To this end we have developed and evaluated the comple x tris(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) trichloride as a temperature senso r by determining the temperature dependence of its Co-59 nuclear magne tic resonance chemical shift. Encapsulating this complex within liposo mes targets the agent to the reticuloendothelial system. Temperature c hanges of the order of 0.1 degrees C have been measured in vivo on rat s, and the half-life of the complex within the body determined by plas ma emission spectroscopy.