* Metasyn Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said preclinical studies haveshown that two of its magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents mayimprove detection of liver cancer and the ability to distinguish betweenbenign and malignant tumors. The studies involved Metasyn's contrastagents, MS 264 and MS 136, which contain gadolinium. The former isa liver-specific agent and the latter is a tumor-enhancing agent. Thecompany said the agents bind to specific receptors in an attempt toenhance the magnetic signal. Metasyn expects to begin clinical trials ofMS 264 late this year.

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