Metallocorroles for imaging and therapy in malignant melanoma

We propose to perform metastatic melanoma imaging in the brain, based on injecting human malignant melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28) loaded with metallocorroles that are either fluorescent, or NIR-emitting, or suitable MRI contrast agents. The proposal builds on preliminary results obtained via previous collaborations between the PI’s, which identified the structural requirements of the corroles for efficient, fast and irreversible endocytosis and development of methodologies for following that and related processes. The synthesis and application of an amphiphilc Gd(III) corrole for MRI applications is novel.