Synthesis,radiochemical and biological characteristics of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-8-hydroxy-7-substituted quinoline complex: a novel agent for infection imaging

2,2′-[(8-hydroxyquinolin-7-yl)methylazanediyl]diacetic acid (HQMADA) was synthesized via reaction of 8-hydroxyquinoline with iminodiacetic acid in presence of paraformaldehyde with a yield of 27%. The obtained compound was well characterized via different analytical techniques. Labeling of the synthesized compound with technetium-99m in pertechnetate form (^99mTcO₄ ⁻) in the presence of stannous chloride dihydrate was carried out via chelation reaction. The reaction parameters that affect the labeling yield such as HQMADA concentration, stannous chloride dihydrate concentration, pH of the reaction mixture, and reaction time were studied to optimize the labeling conditions. Maximum radiochemical yield of ^99mTc-HQMADA complex (91.9%) was obtained by using 1.5 mg HQMADA, 50 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O, pH 8 and 30 min reaction time. Biodistribution studies in mice were carried out in experimentally induced infection in the left thigh using E. coli. ^99mTc-HQMADA complex showed higher uptake (T/NT = 5.5 ± 0.3) in the infectious lesion than the commercially available ^99mTc-ciprofloxacin (T/NT = 3.8 ± 0.8). Biodistribution studies for ^99mTc-HQMADA complex in Albino mice bearing septic and aseptic inflammation models showed that ^99mTc-HQMADA complex able to differentiate between septic and aseptic inflammation.     

Radiosynthesis and characterization of the <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-fleroxacin complex: a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> infection imaging agent

Radiocomplexation of fleroxacin (FXN) with technetium-99m and its characterization in terms of in vitro stability in saline and serum solutions, in vitro binding with live and heat-killed Escherichia coli, and biodistribution in male Wistar rats (MWR) artificially infected with live and heat-killed E. coli was studied. The ^99mTc-FXN complex showed a radiochemical purity (RCP) yield of 98.10 ± 0.24% at 30 min using 125 μg of stannous fluoride, 74 MBq of sodium pertechnetate, and 2 mg of FXN. The complex was found to be more than 90% stable up to 4 h after constitution in normal saline. In serum, the emergence of 16.50% undesirable species was observed within 16 h of incubation at 37 °C. The ^99mTc-FXN complex showed saturated in vitro binding with E. coli with a maximum value of 65.00% at 90 min. A fivefold increase in uptake of the complex was noted in the infected when compared with the inflamed and normal muscle of the MWR infected with live E. coli. The stable radiochemical profile in saline and serum, saturated in vitro binding with E. coli and increased uptake in the infected muscle, confirmed the potential of the ^99mTc-FXN complex as an E. coli infection imaging agent.     

Evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>TcN–moxifloxacin dithiocarbamate,as a potential radiopharmaceutical for scintigraphic localization of infectious foci

^99mTc ≡ N-Pazufloxacin dithiocarbamate (^99mTc ≡ N-PZN) complex was synthesized through the [^99mTc ≡ N]²⁺ core and its aptness was radiochemically and biologically evaluated in terms of radiochemical purity (RCP) in saline, in vitro stability in serum, in vitro bacterial uptake and percent in vivo uptake in male Wister rats (MWR) artificially infected with alive and heat killed Escherichia coli (E. coli). The ^99mTc ≡ N-PZN complex showed more than 90% RCP up to 4 h after reconstitution in normal saline at room temperature with a maximum RCP value of 98.40 ± 0.28% (at 30 min). At 37 °C in serum the complex showed stable behaviour up to 4 h with the appearance of 15.95% undesirable by products within 16 h of the incubation. The complex showed saturated in vitro binding with E. coli with a maximum uptake of 74.25 ± 0.50% (at 90 min). Normal biodistribution behaviour was noted with a sixfold higher accumulation in the muscle of the MWR, artificially infected with live E. coli as compared to the MWR infected with heat killed E. coli, inflamed and normal muscle. The high RCP in saline, elevated in vitro stability in serum, saturated in vitro binding with E. coli and the sixfold higher accumulation in the infected (live) muscle of the MWR as compared to the inflamed and normal muscle, recognized the aptness of the ^99mTc ≡ N-PZND complex as a prospective E. coli in vivo infection radiotracer.     

Study on the preparation and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc–gatifloxacin and <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc–cefepime complexes

The aim of this work is the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for imaging infection and inflammation in human. Gatifloxacin (fluoroquinolone derivative) and cefepime (cephalosporine derivative) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections were investigated to label with one of the most important radioactive isotopes (technetium-99m). The reaction parameters that affect the labeling yield such as substrate concentration, stannous chloride dihydrate concentration, pH of the reaction mixture, and reaction time were studied to optimize the labeling conditions. Maximum radiochemical yield of ^99mTc–gatifloxacin (90  ± 1.8%) complex was obtained by using 50 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O and 2.5 mg gatifloxacin at pH 10 while ^99mTc–cefepime was prepared at pH 8 with a maximum radiochemical yield of 98  ± 1.4% by adding ^99mTc to 5 mg cefepime in the presence of 50 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O. Biological distribution of ^99mTc–gatifloxacin and ^99mTc–cefepime was carried out in experimentally induced infection rats, in the left thigh, using Escherichia coli. Both thighs of the rats were dissected and counted and the ratio of bacterial infected thigh/contralateral thigh was then evaluated. T/NT for both ^99mTc–gatifloxacin and ^99mTc–cefepime was found to be 4.5  ± 0.3 and 8.4  ± 0.1, respectively, which was higher than that of the commercially available ^99mTc–ciprofloxacin. The abscess to normal muscle ratio indicated that ^99mTc–cefepime could be used for infection imaging. Besides, in vitro studies showed that ^99mTc–cefepime can differentiate between bacterial infection and sterile inflammation.     

Synthesis, biodistribution and evaluation of 99mTc-sitafloxacin kit: a novel infection imaging agent

Radiosynthesis of ^99mTc-sitafloxacin (^99mTc-STF) complex and its efficacy as a potential infection imaging agent was evaluated. Effect of sitafloxacin (STF) concentration, sodium pertechnetate (Na^99mTcO₄), stannous chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂·2H₂O), and pH on the % radiochemical purity yield (RCP) of ^99mTc-STF complex was studied. A stable ^99mTc-STF complex up to 120 min with maximum %RCP yield was observed by mixing 2 mg of STF with 3 mCi of Na^99mTcO₄ and 150 μL of SnCl₂·2H₂O (1 μg/μL in 0.01 N HCl) at a pH 5.5. Artificially infected rats with Staphylococcus aureus were used for studying the biodistribution behavior of the ^99mTc-STF complex. After 30 min of the intravenous (I.V.) administration of the ^99mTc-STF complex, 7.50 ± 0.10% was absorbed in the infected thigh of the rats and the uptake gradually increased to 18.50 ± 0.20% within 90 min. Rabbits with artificially induced infection were used for evaluating the scintigraphic accuracy. Higher uptake in the infected thigh was observed after 2 h of I.V. administration of the ^99mTc-STF complex. Target to non-target organ ratio of the % absorbed dose incase of infected/normal muscle was 6.82 ± 0.40, 17.11 ± 0.60, and 23.13 ± 1.00% at 30, 60 and 90 min of administration. Stable and higher %RCP, higher uptake in the infected thigh, and spectral studies, recommend the ^99mTc-STF for routine infection imaging.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and biodistribution of the <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc–Garenoxacin complex in artificially infected rats

The labeling of garenoxacin (GXN) with technetium-99m (^99mTc) using different concentrations of GXN, sodium pertechnetate (Na^99mTcO₄), stannous chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂·2H₂O) at different pH was investigated and evaluated in terms of in-vitro stability in saline, serum, binding with multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA) and penicillin-resistant Streptococci (PRSC) and its biodistribution in artificially MDRSA and PRSC infected rats. ^99mTc–GXN complex with 97.45 ± 0.18% radiochemical stability was prepared by mixing 3 mg of GXN with 3 mCi of Na^99mTcO₄ in the presence of 150 μL of SnCl₂·2H₂O (1 μg/μL in 0.01 N HCl) at a pH 5.6. The radiochemical stability of the complex was evaluated in normal saline up to 240 min of reconstitution. It was observed that the complex showed maximum RCP values after 30 min of the reconstitution and remained more than 90% up to 240 min. The complex showed radiochemical stability in normal saline at 37 °C up to 16 h with a 17.80% de-tagging. The complex showed saturated in-vitro binding with living MDRSA and PRSC as compared to the insignificant binding with heat killed MDRSA and PRSC. Biodistribution behavior of the complex was assessed in artificially infected with living and heat killed MDRSA and PRSC rats. It was observed that the accumulation of the complex in the infected (live MDRSA and PRSC) tissue of the rats was almost five fold than in the inflamed and normal tissue. The high radiochemical stability in normal saline at room temperature, promising in-vitro stability in serum at 37 °C, saturated in-vitro binding with living MDRSA and PRSC, specific biodistribution behavior and high infected (target) to normal (non-target) tissue and low inflamed (non-target) to normal (non-target) tissue ratios we recommend ^99mTc–GXN complex for in-vivo localization of infection caused by MDRSA and PRSC effective stains.     

Neutron resonance capture analysis and applications

This paper addresses the development of two new radiopharmaceuticals for infection imaging. The optimization of the labeling yield of ciprofloxacin analogous, lomefloxacin and ofloxacin, with ^99mTc is described. ^99mTc-lomefloxacin was obtained with a radiochemical yield of 93.6% by adding ^99mTc to 2.5 mg lomefloxacin in the presence of 50 μg SnCl₂ while ^99mTc-ofloxacin was obtained (96.6%) by adding ^99mTc to 2 mg ofloxacin in the presence of 50 μg SnCl₂. Biodistribution studies in rats were carried out in experimentally induced infection in the left thigh using Staphylococcus aureus. Both thighs of the rats were dissected and counted and the ratio of bacterial infected thigh/contralateral thigh was then evaluated. ^99mTc-lomefloxacin showed higher uptake (T/NT = 6.5±0.5) in the infectious lesion than ^99mTc-ofloxacin (T/NT = 4.3±0.6) and abscess-to-muscle ratios for both preparations were higher than that of ^99mTc-ciprofloxacin (T/NT = 3.8±0.8), indicating that ^99mTc-lomefloxacin could be used for infection imaging.     

Labeling and biodistribution of 99mTc-7-bromo-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinolin-3-carboxylic acid complex

7-Bromo-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinolin-3-carboxylic acid (BDOQCA), was synthesized with a yield of 93% and well characterized. The obtained compound was investigated to label with one of the most important radioactive isotopes (technetium-99m). Effect of BDOQCA concentration, stannous chloride dihydrates (SnCl₂.2H₂O) concentration, pH and reaction time on the percent labeling yield of ^99mTc-BDOQCA complex was studied in details. ^99mTc-BDOQCA complex was obtained at a maximum yield of 97.3% by mixing 2.5 mg of BDOQCA with 25 μg SnCl₂.2H₂O at pH 6 and 30 min reaction time and the formed complex was stable for a time up to 8 h with a maximum yield of 97.3%. Biodistribution studies in mice were carried out using experimentally induced infection in the left thigh using E. coli. Both thighs of the mice were dissected and counted to evaluate the ratio of bacterial infected thigh/contralateral thigh. Higher uptake in the infected thigh was observed after 2 h of IV administration of ^99mTc-BDOQCA complex (T/NT = 7.6 ± 0.6%) than that of the commercially available ^99mTc-ciprofloxacin complex (T/NT = 3.8 ± 1%). The in vitro binding and biodistribution of ^99mTc-BDOQCA complex in the septic and aseptic inflammation bearing mice showed that, ^99mTc-BDOQCA complex is a promising agent for infection imaging and can differentiate between infected and inflamed muscle.     

Radiosynthesis and biological evolution of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–sitafloxacin dithiocarbamate complex: a promising <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> infection radiotracer

Garenoxacin (GXN) was modified to its dithiocarbamate followed by radiolabeling with technetium-99m (^99mTc) through [^99mTc-N]²⁺ core. The suitability of the ^99mTcN–Garenoxacin dithiocarbamate (GXND) complex as a potential multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA) and penicillin-resistant Streptococci (PRSC) infection radiotracer was assessed in artificially infected rats (AFRT). The radiolabeled complex was investigated for its radiochemical purity (RCP), permanence in serum using HPLC and TLC methods. In vitro binding with MDRSA and PRSC was performed at 37 °C. The ^99mTcN–GXND showed maximum RCP of 98.00 ± 0.22% and remained more than 90% stable up to 4 h. The ^99mTcN–GXND showed saturated in vitro binding with living MDRSA and PRSC, respectively. The complex showed normal biodistribution in healthy rats (HRT), however in AFRT, seven fold uptakes was observed in infected muscle as compared to inflamed and normal muscles. Based on the high RCP, stability in serum, better in vitro binding with bacteria, biodistribution behavior and the target to non-target (infected to inflamed muscle) ratio, we recommend the ^99mTcN–GXND complex for in vivo investigation of MDRSA and PRSC infection in human.     

Preparation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-PQQ and preliminary biological evaluation for the NMDA receptor

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), an essential nutrient, antioxidant, redox modulator and nerve growth factor found in a class of enzymes called quinoproteins, was labeled with ^99mTc by using stannous fluoride (SnF₂) method. Radiolabeling qualification, quality control and characterization of ^99mTc-PQQ and its biodistribution studies in mice were performed and discussed. Effects of pH values, temperature, time and reducing agents concentration on the radiolabeling yield were investigated. The quality control procedure of ^99mTc-PQQ was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC), radio high-performance liquid chromatography (RHPLC) and paper electrophoresis methods. The average radiolabeling yield was 94 ± 1% under optimum conditions of 0.99 mg of PQQ, 30 μg of SnF₂, 0.5 mg of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) and 18.5 MBq of Na^99mTcO₄ at pH 6 and 25 °C with a response volume of 1 ± 0.1 mL. ^99mTc-PQQ was stable and anionic. Lipid–water partition coefficient of ^99mTc-PQQ was −1.49 ± 0.16. The pharmacokinetics parameters of ^99mTc-PQQ were t _1/2α = 18.16 min, t _1/2β = 100.45 min, K ₁₂ = 0.013 min⁻¹, K ₂₁ = 0.017 min⁻¹, K _e = 0.016 min⁻¹, AUC (area under the curve) = 1040.78 ID% g⁻¹ min and CL (plasma clearance) = 0.096 mL min⁻¹. The dual-exponential equation was Y = 10.88e^−0.038t  + 5.21e^−0.0069t . The biodistribution of ^99mTc-PQQ was studied in ICR (Institute for Cancer Research 7701 Burhelme Are., Fox Chase, Philadelphia, PA 1911 USA) mice. In vitro autoradiographic studies clearly showed that the ^99mTc-PQQ radioactivity accumulated predominantly in the hippocampus and cortex, which had a high density of N-methyl-d-aspartate Receptor (NMDAR). The enrichment can be blocked by NMDAR redox modulatory site antagonists-ebselen (EB) and ^99mTc-PQQ is therefore a promising candidate for the molecular imaging of NMDAR. To date, however, there have been no studies characterizing ^99mTc-PQQ.     

<Superscript>99m</Superscript>TcN–gatifloxacin dithiocarbamate complex: a novel multi-drug-resistance <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus pneumoniae</Emphasis> (MRSP) infection radiotracer

Gatifloxacin (GTN) was derivatized to its dithiocarbamate derivative and its radiolabeling with technetium-99m (^99mTc) using the [^99mTc≡N]²⁺ core was investigated. The appropriateness of the ^99mTcN–gatifloxacin dithiocarbamate (^99mTcN–GTND) complex as a potential multi-drug-resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae (MRSP) infection radiotracer was evaluated in terms of stability in saline, serum, in vitro binding with MRSP and biodistribution in artificially MRSP infected Male Wistar Rats (MWR). In saline the ^99mTcN–GTND complex showed more than 90% labeling yield up to 4 h with a maximum yield of 98.25 ± 0.20%, after reconstitution. In serum the ^99mTcN–GTND complex showed stability up to 16 h of incubation with the appearance of insignificant 15.95% undesirable side products. The ^99mTcN–GTND complex demonstrated saturated in vitro binding with MRSP with a maximum value of 75.50 ± 1.00% (at 90 min). In MWR model of group A, almost six times higher uptake of the labeled GTND was monitored in the muscle of MWR infected with live MRSP as compared to the inflamed and normal muscles. Based on the higher labeling yield in saline, in vitro stability in serum, saturated in vitro binding with live MRSP and promising biodistribution in MWR model we recommend ^99mTcN–gatifloxacin dithiocarbamate complex as a potential MRSP infection radiotracer.     

Synthesis of the <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–trovafloxacin dithiocarbamate complex and biological characterization in artificially methicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> infected rats model

The radiolabeling of trovafloxacin dithiocarbamate (TVND) with technetium-99m using [^99mTc-N]²⁺ core was investigated and biologically assessed as prospective infection imaging agent. The achievability of the ^99mTcN-TVND complex as a future MRSA infection radiotracer was investigated in artificially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected male Sprague–Dawley rats (MSDR). Radiochemically the ^99mTcN-TVND complex was characterized in terms of radiochemical purity (RCP) in saline, in vitro permanence in serum, in vitro binding with MRSA and biodistribution in living and heat killed MRSA infected MSDR. Radiochemically the complex showed stability in saline with a 97.90 ± 0.22% yield and serum at 37 °C up to 4 h. The ^99mTcN-TVND complex showed saturated in vitro binding with MRSA. Normal in vivo uptake in the MRSA infected MDRS was observed with a five fold uptake in the infected muscle as compared to inflamed and normal muscles. The high RCP values, in vitro permanence in serum, better in vitro binding with MRSA, biodistribution behavior and the target to non-target (infected to inflamed muscle) ratios posed the ^99mTcN-TVND complex as a promising MRSA infection radiotracer.     

Radiosynthesis and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>TcN-sitafloxacin dithiocarbamate as a potential radiotracer for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> infection

Sitafloxacin dithocarbamate (SFDE) was synthesized, radiolabeled with technetium-99m (^99mTc) using [^99mTc-N]²⁺ core and evaluated its biological efficacy as a potential radiotracer for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection in artificially infected rats (AIRT) and rabbits (AIRB). The radiochemical stability of the ^99mTc labeled SFDE (^99mTcN-SFDE) in saline and serum was determined by radio-HPLC and TLC methods, respectively. After, 1 min of reconstitution the value of radiochemical purity (RCP) was 99.00 ± 0.20% and was remained more than 90% unwavering even after 240 min of the radiolabeling. The ^99mTcN-SFDE complex showed similar radiochemical permanence behavior in serum at 37 °C. The complex showed almost six fold higher specific in vitro binding with living than heat killed S. aureus. Biodistribution behavior was evaluated in S. aureus AIRT and whole body imaging (WBI) in AIRB, respectively. Seven fold up take was observed in infected muscle of the AIRT as compared to inflamed and normal muscles. The disappearance of activity from blood and appearance in urinary system indicated normal route of excretion of the complex. Scintigraphically, it was confirmed that the labeled SFDE was higher accumulated in the infected muscle higher than in inflamed and normal muscle. The high radiochemical stability in saline and serum, specific in vitro binding with S. aureus, precise in vivo distribution in S. aureus AIRT and targeted WBI in AIRB confirmed the possibility of the ^99mTcN-SFDE complex as a potential and promising S. aureus infection radiotracer.     

Synthesis,radiolabelling and biodistribution of HYNIC-Tyr<Superscript>3</Superscript> octreotide: a somatostatin receptor positive tumour imaging agent

In vivo imaging of tumours using radiolabelled somatostatin (SST) analogues has become an accepted clinical tool in oncology. HYNIC-Tyr³ octreotide and Tyr³ octreotide were synthesized by FMOC solid-phase peptide synthesis using a semi-automated synthesizer. These were analyzed and purified by RP-HPLC, mass spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The prochelator 6-BOC-HYNIC was also synthesised and characterised indigenously. HYNIC-Tyr³ octreotide was labelled with ^99mTc using Tricine and EDDA as coligand by SnCl₂ method. Labelling with ^99mTc was performed at 100 °C for 15 min and radiochemical analysis by ITLC and HPLC methods. The radiochemical purity of the complex was over 98% and log p value was found to be −1.27 ± 0.12. The stability of radiolabelled peptide complex was checked at 37 °C up to 24 h. Blood clearance and protein-binding study was also performed. In vivo biodistribution studies in rat showed uptake of ^99mTc-HYNIC-TOC in kidney than any other organs. The blood clearance was faster with rapid excretion through kidneys and relatively low uptake in liver.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc nitrido dithiocarbamate complex containing ether group as a potential myocardial and brain imaging agent

In the present study, a novel ^99mTc nitrido dithiocarbamate complex containing ether group, the bis(2-ethoxyethyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido ^99mTc complex ^99mTcN(EOEDTC)₂ has been synthesized by the reduction of ^99mTcO₄ ⁻ into [^99mTcN]²⁺ with stannous chloride in the presence of succinic dihydrazide and propylenediamine tetraacetic acid, followed by the addition of the corresponding dithiocarbamate ligand. The radiochemical purity of the complex was over 90% as measured by thin layer chromatography (TLC). In vitro studies showed that the complex possessed good stability. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was lipophilic complex. The electrophoresis results showed the complex was neutral. Biodistribution in mice showed that the complex accumulated in the heart and brain with high initial uptake, suggesting the complex may lead to a further development of the radiopharmaceutical as a heart and brain perfusion tracer.     

Development of radiogallium–ethylenecysteamine cysteine complex as a possible renal imaging agent

[⁶⁷Ga]-ethylenecysteamine cysteine ([⁶⁷Ga]ECC) was prepared using freshly prepared [⁶⁷Ga]GaCl₃ and ethylenecysteamine cysteine (ECC) for 30 min at 90 °C (radiochemical purity ≈97 ± 0.88% ITLC, specific activity: 210 ± 5 GBq/mM). Stability of the complex was checked in human serum for 24 h at 37 °C. Partition co-efficient of the tracer in octanol:saline mixture was determined (log P; 0.8). The biodistribution of the radiolabeled compound in vital organs of wild-type rats were compared with that of free Ga³⁺ cation up to 48 h. Initial biodistribution results showed significant kidney excretion of the tracer comparable to that of homologous ^99mTc compound.     

Preparation,molecular modeling and biodistribution of 99mTc-phytochlorin complex

Phytochlorin [21H, 23H-Porphine-7-propanoicacid, 3-carboxy-5-(carboxymethyl)13-ethenyl-18-ethyl-7,8-dihydro-2,8,12,17-tetramethyl-,(7S,8S)] was labeled with ^99mTc and the factors affecting the labeling yield of ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex were studied in details. At pH 10, ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex was obtained with a high radiochemical yield of 98.4 ± 0.6 % by adding ^99mTc to 100 mg phytochlorin in the presence of 75 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O after 30 min reaction time. The molecular modeling study showed that the structure of ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex presents nearly linear HO–Tc–OH unit with an angle of 179.27° and a coplanar Tc(N1N2N3N4) unit. Biodistribution of ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex in tumor bearing mice showed high T/NT ratio (T/NT = 3.65 at 90 min post injection). This preclinical study showed that ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex is a potential selective radiotracer for solid tumor imaging and afford it as a new radiopharmaceutical suitable to proceed through the clinical trials for tumor imaging.     

Labeling bombesin-like peptide with <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc via hydrazinonicotinamide: description of optimized radiolabeling conditions

Bombesin (BNN)-like peptides have very high binding affinity for the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor. The goal of the current study was to optimize the labeling conditions of a new ^99mTc-radiolabeled BNN-like peptide based on the bifunctional chelating ligand HYNIC using different co-ligands (EDDA and tricine). The radiolabeling conditions (pH, amount of co-ligand, amount of stannous chloride, temperature and reaction time) for newly-formed ^99mTc-tricine-HYNIC-Q-Litorin and ^99mTc-EDDA-HYNIC-Q-Litorin were optimized and evaluated by RHPLC and RTLC. Radiochemical yields for ^99mTc-tricine-HYNIC-Q-Litorin and ^99mTc-EDDA-HYNIC-Q-Litorin were 98.0 ± 1.7 and 97.5 ± 2.5%, respectively. When EDDA was used as co-ligand, the labeling of ^99mTc-EDDA-HYNIC-Q-Litorin was optimal in the following reaction mixture: HYNIC-peptide: EDDA: 10 μg/5 mg, pH 3, SnCl₂ concentration: 12 μg/0.1 mL, reaction temperature: 100 °C, reaction time: 15 min. Besides, the optimum conditions were HYNIC-peptide:tricine: 10 μg/50 mg, pH 5, SnCl₂ concentration: 12 μg/0.1 mL, reaction temperature: 100 °C, reaction time: 15 min for preparing ^99mTc-tricine-HYNIC-Q-Litorin. The manufactured ^99mTc-HYNIC-Q-Litorin conjugates may offer new possibilities for imaging cancer cells expressing bombesin receptors.     

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of 99mTc-spermine as a tumor imaging agent

Polyamines are essential for the growth and survival of all cells with biosynthesis and transportation of polyamines being very active in tumors. With the aim of developing a new tumor imaging agent, the endogenous polyamine, spermine was labeled with ^99mTc, and its characters were also evaluated via in vitro and in vivo studies. ^99mTc-labeled spermine probe (^99mTc-spermine) was synthesized by the direct pretinning procedure and the labeling procedure was optimized with regard to the pH, reaction time, amounts of spermine and SnCl₂. The stability of the ^99mTc-spermine and its capacity to accumulate into 4T1 tumor cells were also evaluated. Biodistribution of ^99mTc-spermine was studied in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. In the optimal conditions, the whole radiosynthesis was accomplished within 10 min with a decay-corrected yield of 96.5 ± 1.3 % and radiochemical purity of >95 %.^99mTc-spermine was stable at both 37 and 4 °C for at least 6 h. In vitro tests revealed that the ability of ^99mTc-spermine to penetrate in 4T1 tumour cells and an excess of spermine blocked the accumulation of the compound in the models. Biodistribution studies showed a high tumor uptake peaked at 30 min post-injection with 1.82 ± 0.19 % ID%/g. The tumor to muscle uptake ratios of the probe were 3.60 ± 0.51, 4.48 ± 0.29, 4.82 ± 0.18, 5.64 ± 0.10, respectively at 30 min, 1, 2 and 4 h postinjection. Block studies indicated that ^99mTc-spermine had specific binding of tumor via polyamine transport systems. ^99mTc-spermine is a promising radiopharmaceutical in tumor imaging. Further studies are required to determine the usability of ^99mTc–spermine for diagnosis purposes.     

Technetium-99m labeling of hippuric and p-amino-hippuric acid in the presence of DTPA: Biological and pharmacokinetic evaluation and comparison with99mTc-DTPA

^99mTc-Hipp as a modified^99mTc-DTPA, and^99mTc-PAH as a new renal agent are developed. Each veal of lyophilised kit contain hippuric (Hipp) or p-aminohippuric acid (PAH), diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid as calciumtrisodium salt (CaNa₃DTPA) and stannouschloride (SnCl₂·xH₂O), in molar ratio Hipp/PAH:DTPA=4∶1. They are high radiochemical purity radiopharmaceuticals, with hydrophilic character and low percentage of protein binding. The ITL chromatography and HPLC analyses of these labeled compounds have shown almost identical results as^99mTc-DTPA, but their biological behavior in rats confirm certain differences.^99mTc-Hipp is a renal agent clearing by the glomerular system, with better pharmacokinetical parameters than^99mTc-DTPA:t _1/2(α)=4.1 min,t _1/2(β)=198.6 min,K _cl=1.2·10⁻²min⁻¹ and a twofold value for blood clearance (Cl=2.07 ml/min).^99mTc-PAH is a quite different renal agent, rapidly secreted by kidney as a tubular secretion agent. Its pharmacokinetical parameters:t _1/2(α)=2.5 min,t _1/2(β)=41.7 min andK _cl=5.1·10⁻⁴ min⁻¹ are almost equal to those of^99mTc-MAG₃, but the blood clearance of Cl=5.22 ml/min is even higher than that of IOH clearance.