Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 99mTc‐oxo and 99mTc‐tricarbonyl complexes with C3′‐functionalized thymidine dithiocarbamate for tumor imaging

A novel C3′‐functionalized thymidine dithiocarbamate derivative (3’DTC‐TdR) was successfully synthesized and labelled using [^99mTcO]³⁺ core and [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ core with high yields. The structures of the ^99mTc complexes were verified by preparation and characterization of the corresponding stable rhenium complexes. Both of the complexes were lipophilic and stable in vitro. Cell internalization experiments indicated that the uptakes of ^99mTcO‐3’DTC‐TdR were related to nucleoside transporters. Biodistribution of these complexes in mice bearing tumor showed that they had high tumor uptakes, good tumor/muscle ratios and tumor/blood ratios. Especially for ^99mTcO‐3’DTC‐TdR, it exhibited the highest tumor/muscle ratio and tumor/blood ratio at 4 h post‐injection. SPECT/CT imaging studies indicated clear accumulation in tumor, suggesting ^99mTcO‐3’DTC‐TdR would be a promising candidate for tumor imaging.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 99mTc-oxo and 99mTc-nitrido complexes with phenylalanine dithiocarbamate for tumor imaging

In this study, phenylalanine dithiocarbamate (PHEDTC) ligand was successfully synthesized and then radiolabeled with [^99mTcO]³⁺ core and [^99mTc≡N]²⁺ core to produce ^99mTcO–PHEDTC and ^99mTcN–PHEDTC, respectively. Both complexes were prepared with high radiochemical purity and had good stability. The partition coefficient results showed they were hydrophilic, while ^99mTcN–PHEDTC was more hydrophilic than ^99mTcO–PHEDTC. The biodistribution study in mice bearing S 180 tumor showed that ^99mTcO–PHEDTC and ^99mTcN–PHEDTC had high tumor uptake at 2 h post-injection, 1.91 and 1.21, respectively. The good uptake and retention in tumor together with favorable tumor-to-muscle ratios make them promising candidates for further evaluation as potential tumor imaging agents.     

Separation of Tc(VII) from Tc(IV) by solvent extraction

The solvent extraction of Tc(IV) and Tc(VII) by isoamyl alcohol has been studied. The TcCl ₆ ²⁻ and TcO ₄ ⁻ ions are both extracted from 3M H₂SO₄ solution but hydrolyzed Tc(IV) species are not. This permits the separation of the two valence states of technetium. The air oxidation of carrier-free hydrolyzed^99mTc(IV) may be limited by the presence of⁹⁹Tc carrier in the same chemical form. Paper chromatography and electrophoresis were used to identify TcCl ₆ ²⁻ , TcO ₄ ⁻ and hydrolyzed species. It was also found that the hydrolyzed ReCl ₆ ²⁻ can reduce TcO ₄ ⁻ to Tc(IV).     

Rapid and sensitive determination of pertechnetate in99Mo/99mTc generator eluates by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with u.v. detection was applied for rapid and sensitive determination of pertechnetate in⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator eluates, using a mixture solvent of acetonitrile and 0.04M aqueous acetate buffer (1/1) containing a few volume percentage of 0.5 M tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide as the mobile phase. Employing a -bondapak C₁₃ column, the TcO ₄ ^– species was separated, monitored with absorbance at 254 nm, and observed at the retention time of 3.5 min. The detection limit was found to be 5.2·10^–10 g of Tc for each injection. Total Tc contents in the^99mTc eluates from clinically-used⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator were analyzed by this technique. The^99mTc (⁹⁹Tc) species was separated from the contaminant⁹⁹Mo. This method was found to be useful for the purification of^99mTc (⁹⁹Tc) as well as the determination of total Tc content.     

Novel tetradentate diamine dioxime ligands: synthesis,characterization and in vivo behavior of their 99mTc‐complexes

Two novel diamine dioxime ligands, 4,7‐diaza‐3,8‐diethyldecane‐2,9‐dione bis oxime (3) and 4,9‐diaza‐3,10‐diethyldodecane‐2,11‐dione bis oxime (5), were synthesized in order to develop new brain perfusion imaging agents, based on ^99mTc(V)‐complexes. The synthesis involved condensation of 2‐hydroxyimino‐3‐pentanone with appropriate diamine in protic solvent which afforded the bis imine adducts. Subsequent reduction of imine functional groups yielded a diastereoisomeric mixture of 3 and 5. UV–visible, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis were used to characterize the structures of the synthesized compounds. ^99mTc‐complexes of both diamine dioximes were prepared and radiolabeling conditions optimized to give the maximum yield. Physicochemical parameters of the labeled complexes as well as and their biodistribution in rats were investigated. Both compounds (3 and 5) formed ^99mTc‐complexes with a net charge of zero, determined by electrophoresis. The resultant lipophilic ^99mTc‐complexes of 3 and 5 were readily formed at pH ~9.0 within 10 min at room temperature with yields of 90% and 95%, respectively. The ^99mTc‐3 complex was found to be stable within 1 h, while ^99mTc‐5 was stable for a few hours. A significant brain uptake of ^99mTc‐3 (2.1% injected dose) and ^99mTc‐5 (1.8% injected dose) complexes, 2 min after injection, is in accordance with their lipophilicity. The present study suggests that both ligands are promising candidates as new ^99mTc‐based brain‐imaging agents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The interconversion mechanism between TcO3+ and TcO2 + core of 99mTc labeled amine-oxime (AO) complexes

Density functional theory, employing B3LYP/DZVP and B3LYP/6-31G*(LANL2DZ for Tc), has been used to investigate the interconversion mechanism between formal TcO³⁺ and TcO₂ ⁺ core of ^99mTc labeled amine-oxime (AO) complex, in which two water molecules have been used to simulate the possible interconversion process. The obtained results indicate that the length of amine-amine hydrocarbon backbone of AO ligand has a significant influence on the stabilities of formal TcO³⁺ and TcO₂ ⁺ complex. The interconversion process between TcO–BnAO and TcO₂–BnAO has been amply discussed, which releases the useful information for the further investigation of the structure and hypoxic mechanism of ^99mTc-HL91.     

Selective Separation of Re(VII) and Tc(VII) by Xerogel Microcapsules Enclosing TOA Extractant

Special attention has been given to the separation and recovery of VII-group elements, Tc and Re, in relation to the partitioning of high-level liquid waste (HLLW) generated from the nuclear fuel reprocessing process. In this study, a tertiary amine (tri-n-octylamine, TOA), which is effective for the extraction of oxoanions, was encapsulated in Ca and H-types of alginate xerogel polymers (CaALG, HALG). The uptake behaviors of TcO4^-and ReO4⁻ (substitute of Tc) in the presence of HNO3 were examined by batch method using TOA-xerogel microcapsules (TOA-CaALG, TOA-HALG). The uptake of TcO4- in the presence of 0.1 M HNO3 was readily attained within 5 h, and a relatively large uptake(%) above 90% was obtained. The uptake(%) of Re(VII) for TOA-CaALG in the presence of 0.01∼0.1 M HNO3 was estimated to be about 90%, while gradually decreasing with HNO3 concentration, indicating that the extraction of HNO3 with TOA became dominant in this process: R3NH⁺NO3 (o) + ReO4 (aq) ↔ R3NH⁺ReO4 (o) + NO3 (aq). The order of the uptake(%) for different oxoanions in the presence of 0.01∼5 M HNO3 was Re(VII) > Zr(IV)> Se(VI) > Mo(VI) > Te(VI). The elution study of Tc(VII) revealed 95% and 99% of recovery with 5 M and 7 M HNO3, respectively. The chromatographic separation of Re(VII) from simulated HLLW (28 components of waste solution, SW-11E, JAEA) as well as from mixed solution was accomplished by the stepwise elution techniques using a column packed with TOA-MCs. The Re(VII) ions were effectively eluted with 5 M HNO3, and a relatively large recovery(%) of 98.60% was obtained. Other elements were eluted with H2O and 2 M HNO3. Thus the TOA-xerogel microcapsules are effective for the selective separation of Tc(VII) from HLLW.     

Photoreduction of 99Tc pertechnetate by nanometer-sized metal oxides: new strategies for formation and sequestration of low-valent technetium

Technetium-99 ((99)Tc) (β(-)(max): 293.7 keV; t(1/2): 2.1 × 10(5) years) is a byproduct of uranium-235 fission and comprises a large component of radioactive waste. Under aerobic conditions and in a neutral-basic environment, the pertechnetate anion ((99)TcO(4)(-)) is stable. (99)TcO(4)(-) is very soluble, migrates easily through the environment and does not sorb well onto mineral surfaces, soils, or sediments. This study moves forward a new strategy for the reduction of (99)TcO(4)(-) and the chemical incorporation of the reduced (99)Tc into a metal oxide material. This strategy employs a single material, a polyoxometalate (POM), α(2)-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-), that can be photoactivated in the presence of 2-propanol to transfer electrons to (99)TcO(4)(-) and incorporate the reduced (99)Tc covalently into the α(2)-framework to form the (99)Tc(V)O species, (99)Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-). This occurs via the formation of an intermediate species that slowly converts to (99)Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy analysis suggests that the intermediate consists of a (99)Tc(IV) α(2)- species where the (99)Tc is likely bound to two of the four W-O oxygen atoms in the α(2)-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) defect. This intermediate then oxidizes and converts to the (99)Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-) product. The reduction and incorporation of (99)TcO(4)(-) was accomplished in a "one pot" reaction using both sunlight and UV irradiation and monitored as a function of time using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance and radio thin-layer chromatography. The process was further probed by the "step-wise" generation of reduced α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61)(12-) through bulk electrolysis followed by the addition of (99)TcO(4)(-). The reduction and incorporation of ReO(4)(-), as a nonradioactive surrogate for (99)Tc, does not proceed through the intermediate species, and Re(V)O is incorporated quickly into the α(2)-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) defect. These observations are consistent with the periodic trends of (99)Tc and Re. Specifically, (99)Tc is more easily reduced compared to Re. In addition to serving as models for metal oxides, POMs may also provide a suitable platform to study the molecular level dynamics and the mechanisms of the reduction and incorporation of (99)Tc into a material.     

Purity control of the radiopharmaceutical thiamine pyrophosphate-Sn-99mTc

A new purity control method was developed in order to assure the radiochemical purity of thiamine pyrophosphate-Sn-^99mTc. The method described consists in ascending cromatography using Whatman N^o 1 for support and 5% sodium citrate as solvent. It is capable of detecting free^99mTcO ₄ ^– and colloid formation, the most frequent impurities found in^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.     

A novel technique for the separation of99mTc from99Mo

A new technique for the separation of^99mTc from low specific activity⁹⁹Mo is reported. A separation based on the principle of precipitation of⁹⁹Mo as calcium molybdate has been investigated. On precipitating⁹⁹MoO ₄ ^2– from alkaline solution as calcium molybdate under controlled conditions, the^99mTcO ₄ ^– is found to remain quantitatively in the supernatant solution with little carry-over of⁹⁹Mo. This calcium molybdate (⁹⁹Mo) could be redissolved and reprecipitated at regular intervals, yielding^99mTc quantitatively in aqueous neutral solutions. Calcium molybdate precipitates containing up to 1.5 GBq of⁹⁹Mo and 130–180 mg of molybdenum were prepared and evaluated. The performance in terms of repeated^99mTc separation gave yields of 75–93% with acceptable readionuclidic and radiochemical purity.     

Nmr study of the solution structures of TcO(2)F(3) and ReO(2)F(3)

Both TcO(2)F(3) and ReO(2)F(3) are infinite chain, fluorine-bridged polymers in the solid state. Their solution structures have been studied by (19)F and (99)Tc NMR spectroscopy in SO(2)ClF solution and shown to exhibit cyclic (MO(2)F(3))(3) (M = Tc, Re) and (ReO(2)F(3))(4) structures that have been confirmed by simulation of the (19)F NMR spectra. The trimers dominate in both the technetium and rhenium systems, with both the tetramer and trimer existing in equilibrium in the rhenium system. A low concentration of a higher, possibly pentameric, cyclic rhenium polymorph is also present in equilibrium with the trimer and tetramer.     

Characterization of the reduction products of99TcO 4 − with stannous ions in citrate solutions

The chemical state of the products of⁹⁹TcO ₄ ⁻ reduction by Sn(II) in citrate media has been investigated using electrochemical methods. The Tc(V) chelates formed after consumption of one mole Sn(II)/g-atom TcO ₄ ⁻ were identified as oxo(biscitrato)technetates(V) existing in different coordination isomers. Their reduction products were hydroxo (biscitrato)technetates(IV). The products proved to be the same as reported in the case of the electrochemical reduction of TcO ₄ ⁻ in citric acid.     

Technetium-99m extraction and transport across tri-n-octylamine-xylene based supported liquid membranes

The nuclear properties of^99mTc radionuclide are ideal for organ imaging. Study of the technetium transport across supported liquid membranes has been performed to get data for its separation from other elements. Tri-n-octylamine diluted in xylene was used to constitute the liquid membranes, supported in polypropylene microporous films. Stripping on the product solution side was performed with dilute NaOH solutions. The effect of sulphuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in the feed on transport of^99mTc as TcO ₄ ^– ions has been studied. The permeability of the given ions determined from kinetic activity data has been found to be in the order of PH₂SO₄>PHCl>PHNO₃. The flux values have been calculated based on this permeability data. The increase in carrier concentration has shown an increase in flux and permeability values to a given optimum concentration. The increase in temperature has been found to reduce the transport of Tc ions. The optimum conditions for transport of^99mTc for the given acid concentration have been determined. Mechanism of Tc ion transport has also been provided based on chemical reactions involved at the membrane interfaces and uptake of Tc ions by the membrane. MoO ₄ ^2– ions do not permeate through membrane under optimum conditions of transport for TcO ₄ ^2– ions from H₂SO₄ solution.     

Using Tc-Re chemical analogy to synthesize and identify new99mTc complexes

The strong chemical resemblance between Tc and Re is applied to design and evaluate experiments with^99mTc complexes. A combination of spectrophotometric and electrophoretic techniques allows to propose the formula [TcO₂/amine/₂]⁺ for compounds prepared by reduction of^99mTcO ₄ ^– with Zn /solid phase/ in presence of several /bidentate/ amines.     

A99Mo-99mTc generator based on the use of zirconium molybdophosphate-99Mo gel

A modified⁹⁹Mo–^99mTc gel generator is described. The present generator uses an insoluble zirconium molybdophosphate (ZrMP) gel tagged with⁹⁹Mo. Molybdenum-99 is chemically combined in the gel structure and cannot be eluted from the matrix. The presence of phosphate increases the chemical stability of the gel and decreases the molybdenum breakthrough. The prepared gel is sufficiently porous to permit ready diffusion of^99mTcO ₄ ^– which can be cluted with saline in yields of up to 90%. The gel was found to contain 25.1% Mo, 21.9% Zr, and 0.7% P in a molar ratio of 1.09:1.0:0.09, respectively. The high molybdenum content of the gel allows the use of cheap, non-polluting (n, )⁹⁹Mo. The eluted^99mTc was of high purity and can be used for medical and pharmaceutical applications.     

High-valent technetium complexes with the [(99)TcO(3)](+) core from in situ prepared mixed anhydrides of [(99)TcO(4)](-) and their reactivities

The highly reactive mixed anhydrides [TcO3(OCOPh)] and [TcO3(OBF3)]- were synthesized by treatment of [TcO4]- with strong Lewis acids benzoyl chloride and BF3.OEt2. These mixed anhydrides, prepared in situ, were used as precursors for the synthesis of complexes containing the [TcO3]+ core. Subsequent reactions with bi- or tridentate ligands resulted in new complexes comprised of the [TcO3]+ core. As examples with bidentate ligands, the classical complexes [TcO3Cl(bipy)] (1) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and [TcO3Cl(phen)] (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been prepared by this strategy and structurally characterized. The new compounds [TcO3(bpza)] (3) (bpza = di-1H-pyrazol-1-ylacetate), [TcO3(bpza*)] (4) (bpza* = bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)acetate), [TcO3(tpzm*)]+ (6) (tpzm* = 1,1,1-methanetriyltris(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole), and [ReO3(tpzm*)][ReO4] (7) are examples of complexes with tripod ligands. The complexes have been structurally characterized, and their 99Tc NMR spectra have been recorded. As a common feature, the X-ray structures show a distinct widening of the O-Tc-O angles, almost to a tetrahedral angle. With the perspective of radiopharmaceutical applications, water stability and reactivities toward alkenes are described.     

Fabrication and Properties of Technetium-bearing Pyrochlores and Perovskites as Potential Waste Forms

Technetium-99 is one of the most abundant, long-lived radiotoxic isotopes in used nuclear fuel (UNF). As such, it is targeted in UNF separation strategies such as UREX+, for isolation and encapsulation in solid waste forms for storage in a nuclear repository. We report here results regarding the incorporation of Tc-99 into ternary oxides of different structure types: pyrochlore (Nd2Tc2O7), perovskite (SrTcO3), and layered perovskite (Sr2TcO4). The goal was to determine synthesis conditions of these potential waste forms to immobilize Tc-99 and to harvest crystallographic, thermophysical and hydrodynamic data. Within these studies, Rietveld structure refinement was applied to allow for crystallographic characterization, while a physical property measurement system (PPMS) was used to determine thermophysical properties. The ternary oxides exhibited good crystallinity and their lattice parameters and atomic coordinates could be refined to high accuracy. Low refinement residuals (RBragg) of 2.0, 2.4, and 3.9% were achieved for Nd2Tc2O7, SrTcO3, and Sr2TcO4, respectively. The strontium technetates, SrTcO3 and Sr2TcO4, show superconductivity at rather high critical temperatures of Tc = 7.8 K and 7 K, respectively. Nd2Tc2O7 did not show any changes in magnetic properties above 3 K.     

To Sandwich Technetium: Highly Functionalized Bis‐Arene Complexes [99mTc(η6‐arene)2]+ Directly from Water and [99mTcO4]−

The labeling of (bio)molecules with metallic radionuclides such as ^99mTc demands conjugated, multidentate chelators. However, this is not always necessary since phenyl rings can directly serve as integrated, organometallic ligands. Bis‐arene sandwich complexes are generally prepared by the Fischer–Hafner reaction. In extension of this, we show that [^99mTc(η⁶‐C₆R₆)₂]⁺‐type complexes are directly accessible from water and [^99mTcO₄]^?, even using arenes incompatible with Fischer–Hafner conditions. To unambiguously confirm the nature of these unprecedented ^99mTc complexes, their rhenium homologous have been prepared by substituting naphthalene ligands in [Re(η⁶‐C₁₀H₈)₂]⁺ with the corresponding phenyl groups. The ease with which highly stable [^99mTc(η⁶‐C₆R₆)₂]⁺ complexes are formed under standard labeling conditions enables a multitude of new potential imaging agents based on commercial pharmaceuticals or lead structures.     

Novel 99mTc labeled σ receptor ligand as a potential tumor imaging agent

A novel ^99mTc labeled complex, [N-[2-((2-oxo-2-(4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl) (2-mercaptoethyl)amino)acetyl]-2-aminoethanethiolato]Technetium(V) oxide (PPPE-MAMA’-^99mTcO) ([ ^99m Tc]-2) has been designed and prepared based on the integrated approach. The corresponding rhenium complex (PPPE-MAMA’-ReO)(Re-2) has been prepared and characterized. In vitro competition binding assays show moderate affinity of Re-2 towards σ₁ and σ₂ receptors with K _i values of 8.67 ± 0.07 and 5.71 ± 1.88 μmol, respectively. Planar images obtained at 0.5 h, 4 h, 20 h after i.v. injection indicate the accumulation of [ ^99m Tc]-2 in MCF-7 human breast tumor bearing mice at 20 h. Furthermore, the accumulation of [ ^99m Tc]-2 has been inhibited at 20 h after co-injection of [ ^99m Tc]-2 plus haloperidol (1 mg/kg). Biodistribution studies of [ ^99m Tc]-2 display an in vivo tumor uptake of 0.14% ± 0.01% ID/g at 24 h post i.v. injection with a tumor/muscle ratio of 6.02 ± 0.87. The above results suggest that [ ^99m Tc]-2, derived from a previously published lead compound, retains certain tumor uptake and affinity for σ receptors. [ ^99m Tc]-2 may be used as a basis for further structural modifications to develop tumor imaging agents with high affinity for σ receptors.     

Tetraamine‐Derived Bifunctional Chelators for Technetium‐99m Labelling: Synthesis,Bioconjugation and Evaluation as Targeted SPECT Imaging Probes for GRP‐Receptor‐Positive Tumours

Owing to its optimal nuclear properties, ready availability, low cost and favourable dosimetry, ^99mTc continues to be the ideal radioisotope for medical‐imaging applications. Bifunctional chelators based on a tetraamine framework exhibit facile complexation with Tc(V)O₂ to form monocationic species with high in vivo stability and significant hydrophilicity, which leads to favourable pharmacokinetics. The synthesis of a series of 1,4,8,11‐tetraazaundecane derivatives ( 01 – 06 ) containing different functional groups at the 6‐position for the conjugation of biomolecules and subsequent labelling with ^99mTc is described herein. The chelator 01 was used as a starting material for the facile synthesis of chelators functionalised with OH ( 02 ), N₃ ( 04 ) and O‐succinyl ester ( 05 ) groups. A straightforward and easy synthesis of carboxyl‐functionalised tetraamine‐based chelator 06 was achieved by using inexpensive and commercially available starting materials. Conjugation of 06 to a potent bombesin‐antagonist peptide and subsequent labelling with ^99mTc afforded the radiotracer ^99mTc‐N4‐BB‐ANT, with radiolabelling yields of >97 % at a specific activity of 37 GBq μmol^?1. An IC₅₀ value of (3.7±1.3) nM was obtained, which confirmed the high affinity of the conjugate to the gastrin‐releasing‐peptide receptor (GRPr). Immunofluorescence and calcium mobilisation assays confirmed the strong antagonist properties of the conjugate. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies of ^99mTc‐N4‐BB‐ANT showed high and specific uptake in PC3 xenografts and in other GRPr‐positive organs. The tumour uptake was (22.5±2.6) % injected activity per gram (% IA g^?1) at 1 h post injection (p.i.). and increased to (29.9±4.0) % IA g^?1 at 4 h p.i. The SPECT/computed tomography (CT) images showed high tumour uptake, clear background and negligible radioactivity in the abdomen. The promising preclinical results of ^99mTc‐N4‐BB‐ANT warrant its potential candidature for clinical translation.