The synthesis of a new PEG-solubilized gadolinium texaphyrin (Gd-Tex) conjugate containing a malonate-Pt(NH(3))(2) moiety is described. The effect of the tumor localizing Gd-Tex macrocycle on platinum activity was evaluated in cell culture. The malonate moiety, analogous to that present in carboplatin, is expected to release an aquated Pt(NH(3))(2) species under physiological conditions. The half-life in phosphate-buffered saline was found to be ca. 3 days at room temperature, and the hydrolytic product released from the conjugate was collected and confirmed as Pt-based by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anti-proliferative activity was tested using A549 human lung cancer and A2780 human ovarian cancer cell lines. In both cell lines, the activity of the Gd-Tex conjugate was found to be similar to that of carboplatin. Efficacy against a Pt-resistant ovarian cell line greater than that displayed by carboplatin was also observed.