Susan Kopiwoda

A comparison of the technetium-labeled myocardial agents DiArs and DMPE to 201Tl in experimental animals

The biodistribution, kinetics, imaging characteristics and blood flow correlations of 99mTc labeled DiArs and DMPE were studied. The mice biodistribution were compared to 201Tl in mice and dogs, respectively. The myocardial kinetics of these agents were evaluated in normal and ischemic myocardium using miniaturized endocardial detectors. DiArs had a lower myocardial concentration (9.4 +/- 0.8% dose/g at 1 min), than DMPE (11.7 +/- 1.1% dose/g at 1 min) but both were considerably less than 201Tl (23-26% dose/g at 1 min). The kinetic characteristic of both technetium labeled agents suggested that redistribution into ischemic myocardium would not take place, since the clearance rate from normal and ischemic myocardium was similar for both the DiArs and DMPE . The clear visualization of the canine myocardium after i.v. injection demonstrated the superiority of DMPE over DiArs and the potential use of these agents, if proven, to behave the same in human trials.

Biodistribution of tantalum-178 A short-lived radiopharmaceutical for blood pool imaging

Abstract178Ta is a short lived radionuclide (half life=9.3 min), which results in favorable radiation exposure compared to 99mTc (half life 6 h). The energy spectrum of 178Ta consists of imageable photons in the 55–65 keV (61.2%) and 93 keV (33.7%) range but also 6% of disintegrations result in photons with energies greater than 500 keV. These high energy photons cause septal penetration in low energy collimators so that resolution is degraded. However, a medium energy collimator prevents the septal penetration of these higher energy photons. Serial blood samples obtained from dog and rabbit models indicate that 178Ta is retained in the blood pool for at least 20–30 min after intravenous injection. The 178Ta appears to be associated with the protein fraction of the plasma and not primarily with the red blood cell fraction as determined by centrifugation and column chromatography. Gated equilibrium blood pool images using 178Ta were comparable in quality to images using the 99mTc labelled red blood cell technique. Therefore, 178Ta may allow comparable equilibrium gated blood pool imaging with much more favorable radiation dosimetry. Thus, serial studies over prolonged periods of observation may be obtained.

Biodistribution of A14C-and99mTc-labeled N-substituted nitrosourea (CCNU) in an animal tumor model

One formulation of14C labeled and another of99mTc labeled 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) were administered i.v. to tumor (glioma) bearing rats. The radiopharmacokinetics of14C-CCNU were followed up to 24 hours post injection. On a per organ basis the blood, liver, small bowel, kidney cortex and muscle contained most of the activity. Optimum tumor to organ ratios occurred at 4–12 hours. The99mTc-CCNU biodistribution was determined at 4 hours and compared to99mTc-NaTcO4. Tumor capsule to brain (29.5) and to muscle (10.59) ratios suggest99mTc-CCNU to be a potential tumor seeking agent.