Development of [<Superscript>64</Superscript>Cu]-DOTA-anti-CD20 for targeted therapy

Copper-64 was produced as a by-product of ⁵⁵Co via ⁶⁴Ni(p,n)⁶⁴Cu by 15 MeV proton bombardment of ^natNi resulting in a thick target yield of 5.31 MBq/μAh (143.5 μCi/μAh) and a radiochemical separation yield of 95% (radionuclide purity >97% after 25 hours of bombardment). Rituximab was successively labeled with [⁶⁴Cu]-CuCl₂. N-succinimidyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA-NHS) was prepared at 25 °C using DOTA and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) in CH₂Cl₂ followed by the addition of 1 ml of a Rituximab pharmaceutical solution. Radiolabeling was performed at 37 °C in 3 hours. Radio thin-layer chromatography showed an overall radiochemical purity of 90–95% at optimized conditions (specific activity=30 GBq/mg, labeling efficacy; 82%) using various chromatography systems. The final isotonic ⁶⁴Cu-DOTA-Rituximab complex was passed through a 0.22 μm filter and checked by gel electrophoresis for radiolysis control. Stability of the final product was checked in the formulation and in presence of human serum at 37 °C.     

Development of <Superscript>111</Superscript>In labeled insulin for receptor imaging/therapy

In order to target insulin receptors in various diabetic and insulinoma conditions, human recombinant insulin was successively labeled with [¹¹¹In]-indium chloride after conjugation with freshly prepared cyclic DTPA-dianhydride (ccDTPA). The best results of the conjugation were obtained by addition of 0.5 mL of an insulin pharmaceutical solution (5 mg/mL, in phosphate buffer, pH 8) to a glass tube pre-coated with DTPA-dianhydride (0.01 mg) at 25 °C with continuous mild stirring for 30 minutes. Radio-thin layer chromatography (RTLC), instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have shown an overall radiochemical purity of higher than 93% at optimized conditions (specific activity = 550–750 MBq/mg, radiochemical yield =81%). The white blood cell labeling capacity of the tracer was determined up to 4 hours at 37 °C. Preliminary in vivo studies in normal rat model was performed to determine the biodistribution of the radiotracer up to 48 hours. It showed a high liver and spleen uptake of the tracer which is consistent with other reported radiolabeled insulins. SPECT images have also shown high liver accumulation of the tracer.     

Source tracing of chromium-, manganese-, nickel- and zinc-containing particles (PM<Subscript>10</Subscript>) by micro-PIXE spectrum

Due to the interesting anti-proliferative properties of gallium-thiosemicarbazone complexes, the production of [⁶⁷Ga]labeled 2-acetylpyridine 4,4-dimethyl thiosemicarbazone (APTSM₂) was investigated. The freshly prepared [⁶⁷Ga]GaCl₃ was mixed with 2-acetylpyridine 4,4-dimethyl thiosemicarbazone for 60 minutes at 90 °C to yield [⁶⁷Ga]APTSM₂ with a radiochemical yield of more than 98%. Radio-thin-layer-chromatography (RTLC) showed a radiochemical purity of more than 99%. A specific activity of about 370–740 MBq/mmol (10–20 Ci/mmol) was obtained. The stability of the final product was checked in the absence and presence of human serum at 37 °C. The partition coefficient of the final complex was also determined. The biodistribution of the labeled compound in normal rats was compared with that of free Ga³⁺ cation up to 22 hours.     

Determination of the stability constant and thermodynamic parameters between Tl<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Ag<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> cations with 2,6-di(furyl-2yl)-4-(4-methoxy phenyl)pyridine as a new synthesis ligand

The complexation reaction between Tl⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ cations with 2,6-di(furyl-2yl)-4-(4-methoxy phenyl)pyridine as a new synthesis ligand in acetonitrile (ACN)–H₂O and methanol (MeOH)–H₂O binary solutions has been studied at different temperatures using conductometric method. The conductometric data show that the stoichiometry of the complexes is 1: 1 [M: L] and the stability constant of complexes changes with the binary solutions identity. Also, the structure of the resulting 1: 1 complexes was optimized using the LanL2dz basis set at the B3LYP level of theory using GAUSSIAN03 software. The results show that the change of logK_f for (DFMP.Pb)²⁺ and (DFMP.Ag)⁺ complexes with the mole ratio of acetonitrile and for (DFMP.Ag)⁺ and (DFMP.Tl)⁺ complexes with the mole ratio of methanol have a linear behavior, while the change of logK_f of (DFMP.Tl)⁺complex in ACN–H₂O binary solutions (with a minimum in X_ACN = 0.5) and (DFMP.Ag)⁺ complex in MeOH–H₂O binary solutions (with a minimum in X_MeOH = 0.75) show a non-linear behavior. The selectivity order of DFMP ligand for these cations in mol % CAN = 25 and 75 obtain Tl⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Ag⁺ but in mol % CAN = 50, the selectivity order observe Pb²⁺ > Tl⁺ > Ag⁺. Also, this selectivity sequence of DFMP in MeOH–H₂O (mol % MeOH = 75 and 100) and (mol % MeOH = 50) is obtained Pb²⁺ > Ag⁺ and Tl⁺ > Ag⁺ > Pb²⁺ respectively. The values of thermodynamic parameters show that these values are influenced by the nature and the composition of binary solution. In all cases, the resulting complexes are enthalpy stabilized and entropy destabilized. The TΔS_C^° versus ΔH_C^° plot of all obtained thermodynamic data shows a fairly good linear correlation which indicates the existence of enthalpy-entropy compensation in the complexation reactions.     

Development of <Superscript>177</Superscript>Lu-DOTA-anti-CD20 for radioimmunotherapy

Rituximab was successively labeled with ¹⁷⁷Lu-lutetium chloride. ¹⁷⁷Lu chloride was obtained by thermal neutron flux (4 × 10¹³ n cm⁻² s⁻¹) of natural Lu₂O₃ sample with a specific activity of 2.6–3 GBq/mg. The macrocyclic bifunctional chelating agent, N-succinimidyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA-NHS) was prepared at 25 °C using DOTA, N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) in CH₂Cl₂. DOTA-rituximab was obtained by the addition of 1 mL of a rituximab pharmaceutical solution (5 mg/mL, in phosphate buffer, pH 7.8) to a glass tube pre-coated with DOTA-NHS (0.01–0.1 mg) at 25 °C with continuous mild stirring for 15 h. Radiolabeling was performed at 37 °C in 24 h. Radio-thin layer chromatography showed an overall radiochemical purity of >98% at optimized conditions (specific activity = 444 MBq/mg, labeling efficacy; 82%). The final isotonic ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-rituximab complex was checked by gel electrophoresis for structure integrity control. Radio-TLC was performed to ensure that only one species was present after filtration through a 0.22 μm filter. Preliminary biodistribution studies in normal rats were carried out to determine complex distribution of the radioimmunoconjugate up to 168 h. The biodistribution data were in accordance with other antiCD20 radioimmunoconjugates already reported.     

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.     

A perspective on <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc and <Superscript>125/131</Superscript>I labeled receptor targeted compounds and their in vitro/in vivo affinities

A novel quinoline derivative, 2,2′-[(5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-7-yl) methylazanediyl] diacetic acid (CHQMADA) was labeled with ^99mTc using SnCl₂·2H₂O as a reducing agent to give a complex with a labeling yield 94 %. Also [^99mTc(H₂O)₃(CO)₃]⁺ was prepared by heating at 100 °C for 30 min using 2 mg CHQMADA at pH 8 to give a labeling yield >99 %. ^99mTc-(CO)₃ CHQMADA and ^99mTc-Sn(II)-CHQMADA showed tissue uptake (target to non target T/NT = 6.80 ± 0.22) and (T/NT = 5.65 ± 0.34) respectively in Escherichia coli induced infection, which is higher than the commercially available ^99mTc-ciprofloxacin (T/NT = 3.80 ± 0.80). In conclusion, both complexes were able to differentiate between septic and aseptic inflammation with superiority of [^99mTc-(CO)₃ CHQMADA].     

Structural role of large cations in sulfides with Cs<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Tl<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The results of a crystallographic analysis of the structures of CsFe₂S₃, Tl₂PbZrS₄, and Tl₂PbGeS₄ with a 1:1 cation–anion ratio are used to identify a joint F sublattice for Cs and S in the first compound and two separate F sublattices for cations and anions in the second compound (the PbS structural type). The substitution of the small Ge⁴⁺ (with its tetrahedral coordination by sulfur) for Zr⁴⁺ in the composition results in an increase in the unit cell volume, i.e., a decrease in the packing density for both cations and anions in the structure of the third compound. In the absence of regular F sublattices, there are “two-dimensional” orderings, typical of the PbS type, for the atomic positions in the projections of this structure.     

Synthesis of [<Superscript>14</Superscript>C] quincetone

Summary The water-soluble fullerene derivative C₆₀(OH)_x was radiolabeled with ⁶⁷GaCl₃. The labeling yields were determined by radio-PLC. The effects of pH, reaction time, temperature and the amount of C₆₀(OH)_x on the labeling yields were studied. The stability of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x was also examined. The results showed that the labeling yields could reach 97% under the best labeling conditions and the radiochemical purity of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x solution kept at 37 °C remained at 88% after 212 hours. The biodistribution studies of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x in mice showed a high localization of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x in the bone marrow, bone, liver and spleen with slow clearance and a negligible accumulation in the blood. These data suggest that the water-soluble C₆₀(OH)_x, having the same properties as microcolloids, may be used as a carrier of drug system for lymphatic targeting.     

Crystal Structure of Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>[NbCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>] and Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>[NbBr<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

Single crystals of Tl₂[NbCl₆] (1) and Tl₂ [NbBr₆] (2) are obtained as black needles on heating TlCl, Nb, S₂Cl₂ (1) and Tl, Nb, and Br₂ at 400°C (2). Tl₂NbBr₆ also forms in the reaction of TlBr, Nb, Br₂, and S at 500°C. Both compounds crystallize in the K₂[PtCl₆] structure type to form non-distorted octahedral [NbХ₆]^2– anions (Nb–Cl 2.397(4) Å and Nb–Br 2.516(2) Å). The magnetic properties of Tl₂[NbBr₆] in a range 5-300 K indicate an antiferromagnetic interaction between Nb⁴⁺ ion spins (d¹, S = 1/2). On cooling, the compound becomes a noncollinear ferromagnet with T_c = 23 K.     

Chemical recovery of thallium-203 following production and separation of lead-201

Because of the cost and limited availability of isotopically enriched thallium (>92%²⁰³Tl), its use in the²⁰³Tl(p, 3n)²⁰¹Pb nuclear reaction necessitates chemical recovery. An adaptive method has been developed and evaluated. After the separation of²⁰¹Pb, the²⁰³Tl(I) is oxidized to²⁰³Tl(III) by Cl₂, Br₂ or [Fe(CN)₆]⁻², precipitated as Tl(OH)₃ with NaOH and subsequently converted to Tl₂O₃ by heating. Due to potential loss during recovery, the solubilities of Tl(OH)₃ and Tl₂O₃ in aqueous solution as a function of pH have been studied using the internal tracer²⁰²Tl (T=12.2d), produced during cyclotron irradiation. Effective solubility product constants have been determined to be 5.4·10⁻⁴⁸ and 2.5·10⁻⁴⁷ for Tl(OH)₃ and Tl₂O₃, respectively.     

Evaluation of fresh and old eluate of <Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo/<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc generators used for labeling of different pharmaceutical kits

Summary Sixty ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc wet column generators, loaded with two different ⁹⁹Mo activities, were analyzed in order to assess the quality of their eluates. Each elution was used for labeling of different radiopharmaceuticals, in order to evaluate whether “risky” elutions, namely those performed just after generator delivery and at 72 hours or more from the last elution, could be conveniently employed when fresh available radioactivity is not enough for the planned labeling or when shipping problems arise, or delay in delivery of a new generator occurs. Radiochemical quality control of all radiopharmaceuticals labeled with these elutions was performed. The elutions differed mainly in ⁹⁹Tc ground state (^99gTc) and amounts of oxidizing impurities. Radiolabeling procedures, however, were not affected, suggesting that these “risky” elutions might be appropriately used, in “emergency” conditions, for labeling radiopharmaceuticals although their radiochemical purity control is recommended prior to patient administration.     

Development of [103Pd]-2-acetylpyridine 4 N-methyl thiosemicarbazone complex for targeted therapy

Summary Due to interesting biological properties of palladium-thiosemicarbazono complexes, production of a ¹⁰³Pd-labeled anti-cancer complex, i.e., [¹⁰³Pd]-2-acetylpyridine ⁴N-methylthiosemicarbazone ([¹⁰³Pd]-APMTS) was developed. Palladium-103 (T_1/2 = 16.96 d) produced via the ¹⁰³Rh(p,n)¹⁰³Pd nuclear reaction using natural rhodium target, was separated from the irradiated target material. Proton energy was 18 MeV with 200 mA irradiation for 15 hours (final activity 700 mCi of ¹⁰³Pd²⁺, RCY>95%, radionuclidic purity>99%). The final activity was eluted in form of Pd(NH₃)₂Cl₂ in order to react with 2-acetylpyridine-⁴N-methylthiosemicarbazone to yield [¹⁰³Pd]-APMTS. Chemical purity of the final product was confirmed to be within the accepted limits by polarography. [¹⁰³Pd]-APMTS was prepared with a radiochemical yield of more than 80% at room temperature after 3 hours. The labeling reaction was optimized for time, temperature and radioactivity and ligand ratio. A mixture of APMTS and Pd activity in ethanol was heated at 90 °C for 3 hours followed by reverse phase SPE purification using C₁₈ plus Sep-Pak. Radiochemical purity of more than 99% using RTLC and specific activity of about 12500 Ci/mol was obtained. The stability of the tracer was checked in the final product and the presence of human serum at 37 °C up to 3 hours. The partition coefficient of the final complex was determined by octanol : saline buffer distribution.     

Pyridyl derivatives provide new pathways for labeling protein with fac-[<Superscript>188</Superscript>Re(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The purpose of this work was to indirect label IgG with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ and to check the radiochemical behavior of the labeled product. The compound of (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino)-acetic acid (L²H) was synthesized and labeled with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺. The labeling yield of ¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃–L²H was more than 90%. The effects of protein concentration, reaction time, pH and reaction temperature of labeling of IgG with ¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃–L²H were investigated. The conjugation conditions were optimized. The labeled product was analyzed by size exclusion HPLC and TLC. The stability of ¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃–L²H–IgG in vitro was high. The results of this study may be useful for [¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ labeling of protein for radioimmunotherapy.     

Production and quality control of [<Superscript>166</Superscript>Ho]-DOTA-bevacizumab for therapeutic applications

Antiangiogenic monoclonal antibodies in combination with therapeutic radionuclides are potential targeted therapy agents in cancer. In this study, bevacizumab was successively labeled with [¹⁶⁶Ho]HoCl₃ after conjugation with DOTA-NHS-ester with a radiochemical purity of higher than 95% (RTLC). The conjugates were purified by molecular filtration, the average number of DOTA conjugated per mAb was calculated and total concentration was determined by spectrophotometric method and the average chelate to antibody ratio (c/a) for the conjugate used in this study was 5.8:1 and protein integrity experiments (SDS-PAGE). The biodistribution studies in wild-type rats demonstrate a similar pattern to the other radiolabeled anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) immunoconjugates. ¹⁶⁶Ho-DOTA-bevacizumab is a potential compound for therapy/imaging of VEGF-A expression in oncology.     

Phase diagram of the Tl-TlI-S system and thermodynamic properties of the compound Tl<Subscript>6</Subscript>SI<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the Tl-TlI-S composition region of the Tl-S-I system were studied by differential thermal analysis, x-ray powder diffraction, and measurements of the microhardness and the emf of concentration circuits relative to a thallium electrode. A series of polythermal sections, an isothermal section at 300 K, and a projection of the liquidus surface were constructed. Primary crystallization regions of six phases, including the ternary compounds Tl₆SI₄ and Tl₃SI, were outlined, and the types and coordinates of non- and monovariant equilibria were determined. It was shown that the ternary compound Tl₆SI₄ forms tie lines with Tl, TlI, Tl₂S, Tl₄S₃, and TlS in the subsolidus region and that the homogeneity region of Tl₆SI₄ below 400 K does not exceed 1 mol %. From the emf measurement data, the standard thermodynamic functions of formation and standard entropy of the compound Tl₆SI₄ were calculated: G _f,298⁰ = −601.7 ± 2.5 kJ/mol, ΔH _f,298⁰= −595.1 ± 4.0 kJ/mol, and S ₂₉₈⁰ = 672 ± 10 J/(mol K).     

Radioiodinated magnetic targeted carriers (<Superscript>131</Superscript>I-MTC)

Magnetically targeted drug delivery by particulate carriers is an efficient method of delivering drugs to localized disease sites, such as tumors. Thus, high concentrations of carrier molecules such as therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals can be achieved near the target site without any toxic effects to normal surrounding tissue. In this study, magnetic targeting carriers (MTC) were radioiodinated with ¹³¹I using three different methods (1) ¹³¹I was directly bound onto MTC, (2) an iron complex of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-OHQ) has been absorbed onto magnetic microspheres. The iodogen method was performed for the iodination of the complexes. (3) 8-OHQ was radioiodinated before chelating with Fe. Reaction parameters were investigated in order to optimize the final properties of the labeled MTC. The best labeling yield and the best stability were obtained when 8-OHQ was chelated before the radioiodination. Binding efficiency was found to be 99.58%. The labeling of the MTC with ¹³¹I was undertaken to allow for therapy with ¹³¹I-labeled MTC with simultaneous imaging.     

Effect of ligand on the redox reactions of thallium metal clusters

Pulse radiolysis of an aqueous solution of mono-valent thallium ion and mixed solutions of Tl⁺/Ag⁺ in the presence of various amino polycarboxylic acids such as trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (DCTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) and triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid (TTHA) has been carried out. Abnormal valence states of Tl ions were generated. It is concluded that DCTA, DTPA, HEDTA and TTHA decrease the redox potential of Tl ions in aqueous solutions. It was observed that the electron transfer from complexed Tl₂⁺ to Ag⁺ varied in the range 7.5 × 10⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁹, depending on the type of complexing ligand. Electron transfer from Tl₂⁺ to Ag⁺ lead to the formation of silver atoms, which agglomerate further to form silver colloid.     

A novel electrochemical <Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo/<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc generator

A novel electrochemical process to avail clinical grade ^99mTc from (n,γ)⁹⁹Mo has been demonstrated. The electrochemical parameters were optimized to maximize the ^99mTc yield with minimal ⁹⁹Mo contamination. ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generators containing up to 29.6 GBq (800 mCi) ⁹⁹Mo were developed and their performance were extensively evaluated for 10 days without changing the operating conditions. Very high radioactive concentration of ^99mTcO₄ ⁻ of acceptable quality, commensurate with hospital radiopharmacy requirements could be availed from the system with >90% yield. The compatibility of the product for the formulation of ^99mTc labeled radiopharmaceuticals such as ^99mTc-DMSA and ^99mTc-EC was found to be satisfactory in terms of high labeling yields. The proposed route represents an important step for enhancing the scope of accessing clinical grade ^99mTc from low specific activity (n, γ)⁹⁹Mo.     

A comparative study on the separation of radioyttrium from Sr- and Rb-targets via ion-exchange and solvent extraction techniques,with special reference to the production of no-carrier-added <Superscript>86</Superscript>Y, <Superscript>87</Superscript>Y and <Superscript>88</Superscript>Y using a cyclotron

The radiochemical separation of ⁸⁸Y from proton irradiated ^natSrCO₃ and alpha-particle irradiated ^natRbCl, of ⁸⁶Y from proton irradiated ⁸⁶SrCO₃, and of ⁸⁷Y from alpha-particle irradiated ^natRbCl were studied at no-carrier-added levels by two techniques, namely, ion-exchange chromatography using Dowex 50W-X8 and Dowex 21K resins, and solvent extraction using HDEHP. Out of all those methods, the ion-exchange chromatography using Dowex 50W-X8 (cation-exchanger) was found to be the best: the separation yield was high, the chemical impurity in the separated radioyttrium (inactive Sr or Rb) was low (0.5 μg) and the final product was obtained in the form of citrate. The optimized separation method using Dowex 50W-X8 was applied in practical production of ⁸⁶Y and ⁸⁸Y via proton irradiations of ⁸⁶SrCO₃ and ^natSrCO₃, respectively, at 16 MeV as well as of ⁸⁷Y and ⁸⁸Y via α-particle irradiation of ^natRbCl at 26 MeV. The tangible experimental yields of ⁸⁶Y and ⁸⁷Y amounted to 150 and 5.7 MBq/μA·h, respectively. The yields of ⁸⁸Y obtained were 0.06 MBq/μA·h and 1 MBq/μA·h for alpha-particle and proton irradiations, respectively. Each yield value corresponds to more than 70% of the respective theoretical value.