ferumoxides (AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)

Ferumoxides is a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agent composed of non-stoichiometric magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) nanoparticles coated with dextran. It is primarily used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection and characterization of focal liver and splenic lesions. Following intravenous administration, the particles are rapidly cleared from the blood by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), specifically Kupffer cells in the liver and macrophages in the spleen. This selective uptake causes a significant reduction in T2 and T2* signal intensity in normal parenchyma due to the intense relaxativity of the iron oxide core. Lesions that lack functional RES cells, such as hepatocellular carcinoma or metastases, do not take up the agent and appear relatively hyperintense against the darkened healthy tissue, thereby enhancing lesion-to-background contrast and improving detection rates.

Brand names

FeridexEndorem

Other names

dextran-coated magnetiteDMsuperparamagnetic iron oxideSPIOferumoxide