motexafin gadolinium (MGd)

Motexafin gadolinium (MGd) is a type of metalloporphyrin complex also called gadolinium texaphyrin with a novel mechanism of action; it accumulates selectively in cancer cells due to their increased rates of metabolism. Once inside the cell, MGd induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) by disrupting redox-dependent pathways. MGd inhibits the enzyme thioredoxin reductase, which is a tumor growth promoter. This mechanism provides the opportunity to use MGd in a wide range of cancers. MGd is paramagnetic, and therefore is detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allowing the visualization of the drug in tumors.

Formula:     C₅₂H₇₂GdN₅O₁₄
Mol. mass:     1148.403 g/mol