Tecnetium-99m as alternative to produce somatostatin-labeled derivatives: comparative biodistribution evaluation with 111In-DTPA-octreotide.

Synthetic somatostatin (SST) analogues have been used in the preparation of receptor-specific radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapy of neuroendocrine tumors. This work studied the labeling conditions with (99m)Tc and biological distribution in Swiss mice of two SST analogs (HYNIC-Tyr(3)-Octreotide and HYNIC-Tyr(3)-Octreotate) and compared the biodistribution pattern with (111)In-DTPA-Octreotide. Biological distribution studies were performed after injection of radiopharmaceuticals on Swiss mice. Labeling procedures resulted on high radiochemical yield for all three preparations and the labeled products presented high in vitro stability. Biological distribution studies evidenced similar general biodistribution of (99m)Tc-labeled peptides when compared with indium-labeled peptide with fast blood clearance and elimination by urinary tract. Kidneys uptake of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-TATE are similar to (111)In-DTPA-Octreotide, and both are significantly higher than (99m)Tc-HYNIC-OCT. All labeled peptides presented similar uptake on liver, but the retention in time at intestines, particularly at large intestine, was more expressive for (111)In-labeled peptide. The %ID of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-OCT and (99m)Tc-HYNIC-TATE in organs with high density of SST receptors like pancreas and adrenals were significant and similar to obtained for (111)In-DTPA-Octreotide, confirming the affinity of these radiopharmaceuticals for the receptors.

Optimization of a convenient route to produce N-succinimidyl 4-radiodobenzoate for radioiodination of proteins.

The preparation of N-succinimidyl-4-[131I]iodobenzoate (SIB) has been optimized using an alternative technique employing Cu(I)-assisted radioiododebromination that produces p-[131I]iodobenzoic acid. The reaction conditions were optimized and radiochemical purity of more than 90% was obtained when using 160 degrees C, 60 min reaction time and a [CuCl]/[p-bromobenzoic acid] relation of about 10(-2). After purification, the p-[131I]iodobenzoic acid reacted with TSTU to produce the SIB in a radiochemical yield greater than 98%. Protein conjugation using SIB resulted in a relatively low radiochemical yield. Biological distribution studies evidenced the in vivo stability of the labeled protein.

Performance of dose calibrators in Brazilian hospitals for activity measurements.

In order to obtain information on the accuracy of activity measurements in Brazilian hospitals, several intercomparison exercises have been organized since 1998. The first exercise consisted of two intercomparison runs of 131I and 99mTc and had the participation of 21 hospitals localized in Rio de Janeiro city and surroundings. The second, with 131I (47 hospitals) and 123I (12 hospitals), had the participation of hospitals localized in the whole country. The results were analyzed under the statistical point of view and conformity to the norms of Regulatory Authority. These results have shown that such exercises are necessary to improve the quality of the measurements and to identify those instruments that are producing incorrect values.

A comparative study of 131I and 177Lu labeled somatostatin analogues for therapy of neuroendocrine tumours.

This work analysed the influence of the chelating group and radioligand on somatostatin analogues in vivo and in vitro properties. The presence of DOTA in the radioiodinated peptide produced a labeled analogue with similar blood kinetics and biodistribution to (177)Lu-DOTATATE and with lower abdominal uptake than (131)I-TATE. In addition, (131)I-DOTATATE showed significative tumour uptake, despite not so persistent after 24h. (131)I-DOTATATE can represent a cost-effective alternative to lutetium labeled peptide for neuroendocrine tumours therapy.