OBJECTIVES: Conventional imaging methods are excellent for the morphological characterization of the consequences of osteonecrosis; however, only specialized techniques have been considered useful for obtaining functional information. To explore the affinity of radiotracers for severely devascularized bone, a new mouse model of isolated femur implanted in a subcutaneous abdominal pocket was devised. To maintain animal mobility and longevity, the femur was harvested from syngeneic donors. Two technetium-99m-labeled tracers targeting angiogenesis and bone matrix were selected. METHODS: Medronic acid and a homodimer peptide conjugated with RGDfK were radiolabeled with technetium-99m, and biodistribution was evaluated in Swiss mice. The grafted and control femurs were evaluated after 15, 30 and 60 days, including computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis. RESULTS: Radiolabeling achieved high (>95%) radiochemical purity. The biodistribution confirmed good blood clearance 1 hour after administration. For 99mTc-hydrazinonicotinic acid (HYNIC)-E-[c(RGDfK)2, remarkable renal excretion was observed compared to 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP), but the latter, as expected, revealed higher bone uptake. The results obtained in the control femur were equal at all time points. In the implanted femur, 99mTc-HYNIC-E-[c(RGDfK)2 uptake was highest after 15 days, consistent with early angiogenesis. Regarding 99mTc-MDP in the implant, similar uptake was documented at all time points, consistent with sustained bone viability; however, the uptake was lower than that detected in the control femur, as confirmed by histology. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Graft viability was successfully diagnosed using radiotracers in severely ischemic bone at all time points. 2) Analogously, indirect information about angiogenesis could be gathered using 999mTc-HYNIC-E-[c(RGDfK)2. 3) These techniques appear promising and warrant further studies to determine their potential clinical applications.

OBJECTIVES: Scintigraphy is generally not the first choice treatment for prostate cancer, although successful studies using bombesin analog radiopeptides have been performed. Recently, a novel peptide obtained using a phage display library demonstrated an affinity for prostate tumor cells. The aim of this study was to compare the use of a bombesin analog to that of a phage display library peptide (DUP-1) radiolabeled with technetium-99m for the treatment of prostate carcinoma. The peptides were first conjugated to S-acetyl-MAG3 with a 6-carbon spacer, namely aminohexanoic acid. METHODS: The technetium-99m labeling required a sodium tartrate buffer. Radiochemical evaluation was performed using ITLC and was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The coefficient partition was determined, and in vitro studies were performed using human prostate tumor cells. Biodistribution was evaluated in healthy animals at various time points and also in mice bearing tumors. RESULTS: The radiochemical purity of both radiotracers was greater than 95%. The DUP-1 tracer was more hydrophilic (log P = -2.41) than the bombesin tracer (log P = -0.39). The biodistribution evaluation confirmed this hydrophilicity by revealing the greater kidney uptake of DUP-1. The bombesin concentration in the pancreas was greater than that of DUP-1 due to specific gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. Bombesin internalization occurred for 78.32% of the total binding in tumor cells. The DUP-1 tracer showed very low binding to tumor cells during the in vitro evaluation, although tumor uptake for both tracers was similar. The tumors were primarily blocked by DUP1 and the bombesin radiotracer primarily targeted the pancreas. CONCLUSION: Further studies with the radiolabeled DUP-1 peptide are recommended. With further structural changes, this molecule could become an efficient alternative tracer for prostate tumor diagnosis.

Objetivo: A angiogênese em resposta a fenômenos isquêmicos envolve vários mediadores como as integrinas, sendo que o tripeptídeo RGD possui uma seqüência de aminoácidos com reconhecimento para este alvo. O modelo animal de isquemia de pata traseira é simples e conveniente, porém não há uma padronização do procedimento de injeção e controle radioisotópico em membro desvascularizado, dificultando, portanto a interpretação de resultados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a neovascularização em modelo murino de isquemia de pata traseira através do radiotraçador 99mTc-HYNIC-ß-Ala-RGD. Métodos: O análogo 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD foi preparado usando coligantes. A isquemia foi induzida em ratos Wistar por dupla-ligação da artéria femoral comum na prega inguinal. Peptídeo RGD radiomarcado foi injetado após 2h, assim como 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 e 14 dias. A captação foi avaliada por imagem planar e estudos de biodistribuição. Resultados: A maior diferença de captação entre isquemia e pata controle foi obtida no 7º dia (2,62 ± 0,95), com decréscimo acentuado no 14º dia. Para o pertecnetato a razão no 7º dia foi 0,87 ± 0,23. A imagem cintilográfica confirmou as diferentes captações. Conclusões: O análogo 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD concentrou-se no tecido isquêmico na etapa em que a angiogênese é mais acentuada, e o estudo do pertecnetato confirmou a redução no fluxo sanguíneo. Desta maneira, este protocolo diagnóstico pode ser recomendado para modelos isquêmicos.

Purpose: Angiogenesis involves many mediators including integrins, and the tripeptide RGD is a target amino acid recognition sequence for many of them. Hindlimb ischemia is a simple and convenient animal model however standardization of the injection procedures in the devascularized and control limb is lacking, thus rendering difficult the interpretation of results. The aim of this investigations was to evaluate neovascularization in a hindlimb murine model by means of 99mTc-HYNIC-ß-Ala-RGD. Methods: 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD analog was prepared using coligands. Ischemia was induced in Wistar rats by double- ligation of the common femoral artery. Radiolabeled RGD was injected after 2h, as well as 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days. Uptake was evaluated by planar imaging and biodistribution studies. Results: The highest ratio between ischemia and control was achieved at the 7th day (2.62 ± 0.95), with substantial decrease by the 14th day. For pertechnetate the 7th day ratio was 0.87 ± 0.23. Scintigraphic image confirmed different uptakes. Conclusion: 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD analog concentrated in ischemic tissue by the time of widespread angiogenesis and pertechnetate confirmed reduction in blood flow. In this sense, the protocol can be recommended for ischemic models.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer has been investigated using various pre-targeting techniques or models focusing on radiobombesin analogues; however, both are not offered together. In this study, nano-bombesin labeling by a pre-targeting system was undertaken to develop an alternative approach for prostate tumor treatment. METHODS: A two-step pre-targeting system utilizing a combination of streptavidin (SA), biotinylated morpholino (B-MORF), biotinylated BBN (B-BBN) with two different spacers (b-Ala and PEG), and a radiolabeled cMORF was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Final conjugation conditions consisted of a 1:1:2 ratio of SA:B-MORF:B-BBN, followed by addition of 99mTc-cMORF to compensate for free MORF. In vitro binding experiments with prostate cancer cells (PC-3) revealed that total binding was time-dependent for the Ala spacer but not for the PEG spacer. The highest accumulation (5.06 ± 1.98 %) was achieved with 1 hour of incubation, decreasing as time progressed. Specific binding fell to 1.05 ± 0.35 %. The pre-targeting biodistribution in healthy Swiss mice was measured at different time points, with the best responses observed for 7-h and 15-h incubations. The effector, 99mTc-MAG3-cMORF, was administered 2 h later. Strong kidney excretion was always documented. The greatest tumor uptake was 2.58 ± 0.59 %ID/g at 7 h for B-bAla-BBN, with a region of interest (ROI) value of 3.9 % during imaging. The tumor/blood ratio was low due to the slow blood clearance; however, the tumor/muscle ratio was 5.95. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-targeting approach with a peptide was a viable concept. Further evaluation with modified sequences of MORF, including less cytosine, and additional test intervals could be worthwhile.

Análogos da timidina têm sido marcados com diferentes radioisótopos devido ao seu potencial em monitorar a proliferação incontrolável de células. Considerando que o radioisótopo tecnécio-99m ainda mantém uma posição privilegiada devido às suas propriedades químicas e nucleares, este trabalho constituiu-se no desenvolvimento da marcação da timidina com o 99mTc, mediante o emprego de compostos organometálicos. Os objetivos principais foram a síntese do precursor carbonil-tecnécio-99m, marcação da timidina com este precursor, estudo da estabilidade, e avaliações radioquímicas e biológicas com animais sadios e portadores de tumor. A síntese do precursor organometálico e a marcação da timidina com este precursor foi realizada com > 97% e > 94% de pureza radioquímica, respectivamente, obtendo-se também uma boa estabilidade em até 6 h em temperatura ambiente. A transquelação frente aos aminoácidos cisteína e histidina apresentou perdas entre 8 e 11% para concentrações de até 300 mM. Os ensaios de biodistribuição em camundongos sadios indicaram que o complexo radiomarcado apresentou um rápido depuramento sangüíneo e baixa captação nos demais órgãos, com predominância de excreção da droga pelo sistema urinário e hepatobiliar. A captação tumoral foi de 0,28 e 0,18 %DI/g para tumor de pulmão e mama, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos sugerem maiores investigações em outros análogos da timidina.

Thymidine analogs have been labeled with different radioisotopes due to their potential in monitoring the uncontrollable cell proliferation. Considering that the radioisotope technetium-99m still keeps a privileged position as a marker due to its chemical and nuclear properties, this work was designed to develop a new technique of labeling of thymidine analog with 99mTc, by means of the organometallic compounds. The aims of this research were: synthesis of the organometallic precursor technetium-99m-carbonyl, thymidine labeling with this precursor, study of stability, and radiochemical e biological evaluation with healthy and tumor-bearing animals. The organometallic precursor and the labeling of thymidine with this precursor were resulted with a radiochemical pureness of > 97% and > 94%, respectively, with good radiochemical stability up to 6 h in room temperature. The cysteine and histidine challenge indicated losses between 8 and 11% for concentrations until 300 mM. The biodistribution assay in healthy mice revealed rapid blood clearance and low uptake by general organs with renal and hepatobiliary excretion. The tumor concentration was of 0.28 and 0.18 %ID/g for lung and breast cancer, respectively. The results imply more studies in other thymidine analogs.

Lanreotídeo e octreotídeo são octapeptídeos cíclicos análogos da somatostatina e têm sido marcados com Tecnécio-99m para uso em diagnóstico na Medicina Nuclear. Os peptídeos são preparados em solução tampão ftalato/tartarato contendo um agente redutor. O objetivo deste estudo foi a otimização da marcação direta variando alguns parâmetros e a avaliação da estabilidade radioquímica e biodistribuição em animais. Os peptídeos marcados foram obtidos com alta eficiência de marcação e sem a necessidade de etapa de purificação no final do processo. Os melhores resultados de radiomarcação corresponderam á razão molar de SnCl2.2H2O/peptídeo de 4,5. Os peptídeos-99mTc mostraram-se radioquimicamente estáveis por 6 horas. Octreotídeo-99mTc mostrou-se relativamente mais suscetível frente à cisteína do que o lanreotídeo-99mTc. Os peptídeos-99mTc foram principalmente distribuídos no trato gastrointestinal, porém o lanreotídeo-99mTc mostrou maior captação pelo fígado do que o octreotídeo-99mTc. Os resultados indicaram que os produtos podem ser obtidos com alto rendimento radioquímico e com procedimento simples, permitindo estudos posteriores para avaliação de sua eficácia em radiodiagnóstico.

Lanreotide and Octreotide are cyclic octapeptide analogues of somatostatin that were labeled with the radioisotope Technetium-99m for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine. The peptides were processed in a tartrate/phthalate buffer solution containing reducing agent. The purpose of this investigation was to optimize direct labeling by varying some parameters, and to evaluate radiochemical stability and biodistribution in animals. The marked peptides were obtained with high labeling efficiency and no need for subsequent purification. Best radiolabeling results corresponded to a molar ratio of SnCl2.H2O/peptide of 4.5. 99mTc-peptides were radiochemically stable for 6 hours. 99mTc-octreotide was relatively more susceptible to cysteine challenge than 99mTc-lanreotide. 99mTc-peptides were mainly distributed in the gastrointestinal tract but 99mTc-lanreotide showed a greater uptake by the liver than 99mTc-octreotide. Results indicated that the products can be obtained with high radiochemical yield, in a simple routine appropriate for further studies to assess their efficacy in radiodiagnosis.