Separation of [(99m)Tc]pertechnetate and molybdate using polyethylene glycol coated C18 and C30 resins

Hydrophobic adsorbents such as C18 and C30 were coated with PEG and subsequently used for the separation of Mo/Tc. The most effective resin for adsorbing PEG was the C18-U resin, which demonstrated a coating capacity of 97.6±2.8mg PEG per g of resin. The ability to adsorb pertechnetate was proportional to the amount of PEG coated on the hydrophobic resin. The [(99m)Tc]pertechnetate recovery during the separation of cyclotron produced (99m)Tc from (100)Mo was 91.8±0.3% (n=2). The resultant product met relevant USP monograph specifications.

Cyclotron production of ⁹⁹mTc: recycling of enriched ¹⁰⁰Mo metal targets

There is growing interest in the large scale cyclotron production of (99m)Tc via the (100)Mo(p,2n)(99m)Tc reaction. While the use and recycling of cyclotron-irradiated enriched molybdenum targets has been reported previously in the context of (94m)Tc production, to the best of our knowledge, previous recycling studies have been limited to the use of oxide targets. To facilitate reuse of high-power enriched (100)Mo targets, this work presents and evaluates a strategy for recycling of enriched metallic molybdenum. For the irradiated (100)Mo targets in this study, an overall metal to metal recovery of 87% is reported. Evaluation of "new" and "recycled" (100)Mo revealed no changes in the molybdenum isotopic composition (as measured via ICP-MS). For similar irradiation conditions of "new" and "recycled" (100)Mo, (i.e. target thicknesses, irradiation time, and energy), comparable levels of (94g)Tc, (95g)Tc, and (96g)Tc contaminants were observed. Comparable QC specifications (i.e. aluminum ion concentration, pH, and radiochemical purity) were also reported. We finally note that [(99m)Tc]-MDP images obtained by comparing MDP labelled with generator-based (99m)Tc vs. (99m)Tc obtained following the irradiation of recycled (100)Mo demonstrated comparable biodistribution. With the goal of producing large quantities of (99m)Tc, the proposed methodology demonstrates that efficient recycling of enriched metallic (100)Mo targets is feasible and effective.

Assessing the performance and longevity of Nb, Pt, Ta, Ti, Zr, and ZrO₂-sputtered Havar foils for the high-power production of reactive [18F]F by proton irradiation of [18O]H2O

As water-soluble ionic contaminants, which arise following proton irradiation of [18O]H2O have been associated with decreased [18F]FDG yields, the minimization of these contaminants is an asset in improving the [18F]F reactivity. To this end, we have previously demonstrated that the use of Nb-sputtered Havar foils results in decreased radionuclidic and chemical impurities in proton irradiated [18O]H2O, improved [18F]FDG yields, and improved [18F]FDG yield consistency when compared with non-sputtered Havar. Resulting from the highly reactive chemical microenvironment within the target however, this niobium layer is observed to degrade over time. To find a material that displays increased longevity with regards to maintaining high [18F]F reactivity, this project extensively investigated and compared Havar foils sputtered with Nb, Pt, Ta, Ti, Zr and ZrO₂. Of the materials investigated, the results of this study suggest that Ta-sputtered Havar foil is the preferred choice. For similar integrated currents (~1,000,000 μA min), when comparing the Ta-sputtered Havar with Nb-sputtered Havar we observed: (i) greater than an order of magnitude decrease in radionuclidic impurities, (ii) a 6.4 percent increase (p=0.0025) in the average TracerLab MX [18F]FDG yield, and (iii) an overall improvement in the FDG yield consistency. Excellent performance of the Ta-sputtered foil was maintained throughout its ~1,500,000 μA min lifetime.

A review of basic principles of fractals and their application to pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetic models play a crucial role in analyzing and assessing the results of in vitro and in vivo studies. In this review, comparative analysis of pharmacokinetic models under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions is performed, placing special focus on the role of fractal theory. The concept of fractals provides a new perspective from which processes occurring in heterogeneous, confined, or poorly mixed environments can be modeled. Following a brief theoretical overview, the applicability of fractals in characterizing anatomical structures and physiological processes as well as the transport and reaction of drugs within the body is discussed. There is significant evidence that drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are often anomalous, that is to say their behavior deviates from classical theory, and possible reasons and appropriate models are considered.

Monte Carlo investigation of single cell beta dosimetry for intraperitoneal radionuclide therapy

Single event spectra for five beta-emitting radionuclides (Lu-177, Cu-67, Re-186, Re-188, Y-90) were calculated for single cells from two source geometries. The first was a surface-bound isotropically emitting point source and the second was a bath of free radioactivity in which the cell was submerged. Together these represent a targeted intraperitoneal radionuclide therapy. Monoenergetic single event spectra were calculated over an energy range of 11 keV to 2500 keV using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo system. Radionuclide single event spectra were constructed by weighting monoenergetic single event spectra according to radionuclide spectra appropriate for each source geometry. In the case of surface-bound radioactivity, these were radionuclide beta decay spectra. For the free radioactivity, a continuous slowing down approximation spectrum was used that was calculated based on the radionuclide decay spectra. The frequency mean specific energy per event increased as the energy of the beta emitter decreased. This is because, at these energies, the stopping power of the electrons decreases with increasing energy. The free radioactivity produced a higher frequency mean specific energy per event than the corresponding surface-bound value. This was primarily due to the longer mean path length through the target for this geometry. This information differentiates the radionuclides in terms of the physical process of energy deposition and could be of use in the radionuclide selection procedure for this type of therapy.

Dosimetric model for intraperitoneal targeted liposomal radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer micrometastases

A simple model has been developed to investigate the dosimetry of micrometastases in the peritoneal cavity during intraperitoneal targeted liposomal radioimmunotherapy. The model is applied to free-floating tumours with radii between 0.005 cm and 0.1 cm. Tumour dose is assumed to come from two sources: free liposomes in solution in the peritoneal cavity and liposomes bound to the surface of the micrometastases. It is assumed that liposomes do not penetrate beyond the surface of the tumours and that the total amount of surface antigen does not change over the course of treatment. Integrated tumour doses are expressed as a function of biological parameters that describe the rates at which liposomes bind to and unbind from the tumour surface, the rate at which liposomes escape from the peritoneal cavity and the tumour surface antigen density. Integrated doses are translated into time-dependent tumour control probabilities (TCPs). The results of the work are illustrated in the context of a therapy in which liposomes labelled with Re-188 are targeted at ovarian cancer cells that express the surface antigen CA-125. The time required to produce a TCP of 95% is used to investigate the importance of the various parameters. The relative contributions of surface-bound radioactivity and unbound radioactivity are used to assess the conditions required for a targeted approach to provide an improvement over a non-targeted approach during intraperitoneal radiation therapy. Using Re-188 as the radionuclide, the model suggests that, for microscopic tumours, the relative importance of the surface-bound radioactivity increases with tumour size. This is evidenced by the requirement for larger antigen densities on smaller tumours to affect an improvement in the time required to produce a TCP of 95%. This is because for the smallest tumours considered, the unbound radioactivity is often capable of exerting a tumouricidal effect before the targeting agent has time to accumulate significantly on the tumour surface.

Comparative uptake of polyamines by prostate and non-prostate cancer cell lines

The Km and Vmax of [14C]-radiolabeled polyamines were determined for PC-3 and AT3B-1 cell lines. With PC-3 Km values are in the following order: ornithine> spermidine> spermine> putrescine, while with AT3B-1 it was spermidine> ornithine> spermine> putrescine. To determine which of these polyamines exhibit higher accumulation, the relative uptake of all the four amines was studied with prostate (PC-3, AT3B-1, LNCaP) and non-prostate (MCF-7, KLN-205, OVCAR) cell lines at 10 and 20 microM after 1 hour. Spermine and spermidine accumulated at higher levels in prostate (AT3B-1 and LNCaP) over non-prostate cell lines (p < 0.01). Putrescine accumulated more in PC-3 and LNCaP than the non-prostate cancer cells.

A three-step strategy for targeting drug carriers to human ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro

To improve tumor-to-tissue ratios of anticancer agents in radioimmunotherapy, a three-step targeting approach was used to deliver biotinylated liposomes to human ovarian cancer cells (NIH:OVCAR-3, SK-OV-3) in vitro. Targeting was based upon the use of two antibodies specific for the CA-125 antigen that is highly expressed on NIH:OVCAR-3 cells but not expressed on SK-OV-3 cells. Briefly, the approach consists of prelabeling target cells with biotinylated anti-CA-125 antibody and FITC-labeled streptavidin (SAv) prior to administration of biotinylated liposomes containing a marker dye for visualization by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In addition, the two anti-CA-125 antibodies (B27.1 and B43.13) were labeled with FITC and incubated with ovarian cancer cells at 37 degrees C from 30 min to 24 h to study binding and uptake kinetics. Shedding kinetics of bound antibody from tumor cells was performed using radiolabeled B27.1. Results demonstrated that both B27.1 and B43.13 specifically bound to the cell surface of OVCAR-3 cells but not to SK-OV-3 cells. Biotinylation, FITC-labeling and radiolabeling of the antibodies did not compromise immunoreactivity. Less than 6% of the bound B27.1 was shed from tumor cells by 4 h following incubation, and the antibody-antigen complex resided predominantly on the cell surface by 4 h at 37 degrees C with slow internalization by 12-24 h. Biotinylated, conventional liposomes were specifically and effectively delivered to OVCAR-3 cells prelabeled with biotinylated B27.1 and SAv. The slow internalization and shedding properties of these antibodies are useful for multistep pretargeting methods. Thus, a modified targeting strategy, utilizing a bispecific antibody and liposomes, may be feasible for radioimmunoliposomal therapy of ovarian cancer.

Dosimetry estimations for 123I-IAZA in healthy volunteers

123I-Labeled iodoazomycin arabinoside (IAZA) is a marker of hypoxia in vivo. It has been used clinically to image hypoxic tissue in solid tumors, peripheral vascular disease of diabetic origin, blunt brain trauma, and rheumatoid joints and in an animal model of cerebrovascular disease. The radiation dose biodistribution for 123I-IAZA was studied to assess and characterize its suitability as a clinical radiopharmaceutical.

METHODS

Six healthy volunteers each received a nominal 185-MBq (5 mCi) dose of 123I-IAZA administered as a slow (1-3 min) intravenous injection in the arm. Anterior and posterior whole-body planar images were acquired for each volunteer beginning immediately after injection and at 1-2, 3-4, 6-8, and 20-24 h after injection. Venous blood samples (0 h predose through 28 h after dosing) and 28-h cumulative urine samples were taken from each volunteer for pharmacokinetic analysis. Radiation dose estimates were performed for all volunteers, with "reference adult" (for men) and "adult female" (for women) phantoms, and both the International Commission on Radiological Protection 30 gastrointestinal tract model and the dynamic bladder model, using the MIRDOSE3 program. Two sets of estimates, 1 using a pharmacokinetic analysis of total serum radioactivity and 1 based on scintigraphic image data, were obtained for each volunteer after 123I-IAZA administration.

RESULTS

Two compartments were discernible by pharmacokinetic analysis, and 4 compartments were discernible by image analysis. The urinary bladder wall received the greatest radiation dose (6.3E-02 +/- 8.7E-03 mGy/MBq), followed by the upper large intestinal wall (5.6E-02 +/- 1.2E-02 mGy/MBq), the lower large intestinal wall (5.0E-02 +/- 1.2E-02 mGy/MBq), and the thyroid (4.4E-02 +/- 1.4E-02 mGy/MBq). Approximately 90% of physiologically eliminated radioactivity was excreted through the kidneys. Radioactivity entering the intestinal tract from the gallbladder constituted <10% of biologically eliminated activity.

CONCLUSION

The dosimetric analysis of 123I-IAZA in 6 healthy volunteers indicated that both disposition kinetics and radiation dosimetry support its clinical use for imaging tissue hypoxia.

Modern trends in radioimmunotherapy of cancer: pretargeting strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer

A review of published data on some of the problems associated in treating cancer using radioimmunotherapy is presented. Potential improvements for this type of therapy using pretargeting strategies are discussed and preliminary results on a novel multistep regimen to treat human ovarian cancer are presented. A pretargeting strategy using a biotinylated, anti-CA125 monoclonal antibody (MAb) to attract biotinylated long-circulating liposomes to the surface of CA125-expressing ovarian cancer cells, was employed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescent labels were used to establish the biodistribution patterns in NIH:OVCAR-3 (CA-125 positive) and SK-OV-3 (CA-125 negative) human ovarian cancer cells. Shedding kinetics of the pretargeted stage were measured using 125I labeled MAbs. No significant internalization of the MAb used in the pretargeting step was observed by 4 hrs. The antibody was gradually internalized starting at 6 hrs, and most of the labelled MAb was detected in cytoplasm by 24 hrs. Shedding and exocytosis of the antigen-MAb complex was not significant for up to 6-hours following administration of the iodinated MAb. Biotinylated liposomes were shown to specifically target the biotinylated MAb/streptavidin complex on the cell surface. We have demonstrated that by a three-step pretargeting approach, biotinylated liposomes can be specifically delivered to cells pretargeted with biotinylated MAb/SAv complex. The slow internalization and shedding properties of the two MAbs are ideal for multistep pretargeting methods. A successful multistep linkage was established with the biotinylated MAb B27.1, streptavidin and biotinylated liposomes to OVCAR-3 cells, but not to SK-OV-3 cells.

Practical reactor production of 41Ar from argon clathrate

The radionuclide 41Ar has many ideal properties as a gas flow tracer. However, the modest cross-section of 40Ar for thermal neutron activation makes preparation of suitable activities of 41Ar technically difficult particularly for low flux reactors. Argon can however be trapped in a molecular complex called a clathrate that can then be irradiated. We prepared argon clathrate and explored its irradiation and stability characteristics. Argon clathrate can be used to provide gigabecquerel quantities of 41Ar even with low power reactors.

The effects of circulating antigen on the pharmacokinetics and radioimmunoscintigraphic properties of 99m Tc labelled monoclonal antibodies in cancer patients

PURPOSE. This article reports the pharmacokinetics, radiation dosimetry and radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS) of two (99m)Tc-labelled monoclonal antibodies (MAb) used to detect cancer.

METHODS

The effects of circulating antigen in female cancer patients are explored and their effects on the ability of these MAbs to effectively perform as RIS agents noted. To illustrate the effects of circulating antigen, data using MAb B43.13 (OVAREX, AltaRex Corp., Waltham, MA, USA) from a Pilot study in ovarian cancer patients are presented. The results from a Phase II study of MAb 170H.82 (Tru-Scint AD, BIOMIRA INC., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) in patients with primary and locally recurrent breast cancer were used to portray the biodistribution patterns when no circulating antigen is present. Data from planar gamma camera images were obtained for both groups and used for pharmacokinetic and radiation dosimetry analyses.

RESULTS

A pharmacokinetic analysis indicated a shorter residence time and higher clearance of (99m)Tc-MAb-B43.13 that was ascribed in part to the circulating CA 125 antigen in this group of ovarian cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

These clearance patterns resulted in acceptable, though higher radiation doses to the spleen and urinary bladder wall for these patients when compared to the MAb-170H.82 group. Both MAbs were found to produce acceptable radioimmunoscintigraphic images

Targeted radiotherapy of multicell neuroblastoma spheroids with high specific activity [125I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine

PURPOSE

Iodine-125 induces cell death by a mechanism similar to that of high linear energy transfer (high-LET) radiation. This study investigates the cytotoxicity of high-specific-activity [125I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine (125I-mIBG) in human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells grown as three-dimensional multicellular spheroids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Spheroids were incubated with high-specific-activity 125I-mIBG (6 mCi/microg, 1000 times that of the conventional specific activity used for autoradiography). Cytotoxicity was assessed by fluorescence viability markers and confocal microscopy for intact spheroids, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and clonogenic assay, and clonogenic assays for dispersed whole spheroids. Distribution of radioactive mIBG was determined by quantitative light-microscope autoradiography of spheroid cryostat sections. Dose estimation was based on temporal knowledge of the retained radioactivity inside spheroids, and of the radiolabel's emission characteristics. Findings were compared with those of spheroids treated under the same conditions with 131I-mIBG, cold mIBG, and free iodine-125.

RESULTS

125I-mIBG exerted significant cell killing. Complete spheroids were eradicated when they were treated with 500 microCi of 125I-mIBG, while those treated with 500 microCi or 1000 microCi of 131I-mIBG were not. The observed difference in cytotoxicity between treatments with 125I- and 131I-mIBG could not be accounted for by the absorbed dose of spheroid alone. The peripheral, proliferating cell layer of the spheroids remained viable at the moderate radioactivity of 100 microCi for both isotopes. Cytotoxicity induced by 125I-mIBG was quantitatively comparable by the peripheral rim thickness to that of 131I-mIBG at the dose of 100 microCi. The peripheral rim thickness decreased most significantly in the first 17 hours after initial treatment. There was no statistical decrease in the rim thickness identified afterwards for the second, third, and fourth days of incubation.

CONCLUSION

The cytotoxic effect of high-specific-activity 125I-mIBG appears to be comparable to, if not more efficient than that of conventionally used 131I-mIBG at the same level of total radioactivity. 125I-mIBG may improve the therapeutic index over that of 131I-mIBG in the clinical management of metastatic neuroblastoma due to the short range of Auger electrons.

Pharmacokinetics and radiation dosimetry of 99Tcm-labelled monoclonal antibody B43.13 in ovarian cancer patients

OVAREX MAb B43.13 is a new radiopharmaceutical based on a monoclonal antibody (MAb-B43.13) known to recognize CA 125, a tumour antigen associated with epithelial ovarian cancer. This MAb is capable of facile radiolabelling with 99Tcm and has been shown previously to localize in the tumours of ovarian cancer patients. The present study was initiated to measure the pharmacokinetics of this MAb in the serum of 10 patients with primary or metastatic ovarian cancer. A two-compartment model was found to be best at representing the biodistribution of the 99Tcm-labelled MAb, yielding a 2.6 h distribution phase half-life and a 31.3 h elimination phase half-life. The serum and renal clearances for 99Tcm-MAb-B43.13 were 121 and 53 ml h-1 respectively. These parameters were compared with a similar model developed from the serum values of the MAb itself (determined using an ELISA detection method). Based on the serum pharmacokinetics of 99Tcm-MAb-B43.13 and whole-body planar gamma camera images, an estimate of the radiation dose from 99Tcm was calculated using standard MIRD schema. The organs demonstrating significant 99Tcm uptake included the liver, kidneys, heart and spleen. The whole-body dose was similar to other 99Tcm-labelled MAbs.

Radioimmunoscintigraphy in patients with breast adenocarcinoma using technetium-99m labelled monoclonal antibody 170H.82: report of a phase II study

Fifty-three women with clinical evidence of adenocarcinoma of the breast were studied with technetium-99m labelled monoclonal antibody (MAb) 170H.82 at protein doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg. An overall per lesion efficacy of 83.5% sensitivity and 97.7% positive predictive value was obtained. Efficacy appears higher in lesions restricted to the breast and local regional disease than systemic metastases. For the 2 mg dose the breast/local regional disease efficacy was 90% sensitivity and 90.2% positive predictive value. The biodistribution of this MAb was best represented by a two-compartment model with a distribution-phase half-life of 4.0+/-1.4 h, followed by an elimination-phase half-life of 39.6+/-6.6 h. In all six patients studied, the critical organ was the kidney, with a mean radiation absorbed dose of 37+/-6.9 mGy/GBq. The accuracy of this imaging technique allows the development of diagnostic strategies for the routine use of the compound in patients with breast cancer.

A pharmacokinetic comparison of murine and chimeric forms of the 99mTc-labelled 174H.64 monoclonal antibody

The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 174H.64 (Truscint SQ, Biomira Inc.) is a murine-derived MoAb reacting with an extracellular surface component of the cytoskeletal matrix ectopically expressed on squamous-cell carcinoma cell-surface membranes. A chimeric form of this MoAb has also been produced by genetically modifying the Fc portion of the MoAb by the insertion of a human Fc fragment. During this process the isotype was altered from an IgG1 (murine) to an IgG3 (chimeric). Pilot and phase I/II clinical trials of the murine and chimeric 99mTc-labelled 174H.64 MoAbs have been undertaken at selected European and North American sites. As part of this evaluation serum, urine and image data were collected at specific time intervals and used to obtain a kinetic model to describe the in vivo distribution of the MoAbs. A two-compartment model of the form: C(t) = C1 e-lambda 1t + Cz e-lambda zt was found to best describe the serum distribution of radioactivity of both the murine and chimeric MoAbs. The initial distribution half-lives were 2.9 +/- 0.7 hours and 2.7 +/- 0.2 hours, and the terminal elimination half-lives were 17.6 +/- 3.8 hours and 22.5 +/- 1.3 hours for the murine and chimeric MoAbs, respectively. No significant difference was found between the kinetic model parameters of two MoAbs at the 95% level. Assuming a similar clinical efficacy, these MoAbs could then be used interchangeably, with the chimeric MoAb offering potential advantages in reducing HAMA response.

MAb 170H.82: an evaluation of a novel panadenocarcinoma monoclonal antibody labelled with 99Tcm and with 111In

A novel method for generating monoclonal antibodies against synthetic tumour-associated glycoconjugates has been developed. One of these monoclonal antibodies, designated 170H.82, was derived against the TF antigen and has been shown in vitro to have a wide range of reactivity with adenocarcinoma. This antibody has been labelled with 111In and 99Tcm and has been evaluated in pilot clinical trials involving 48 patients with a range of adenocarcinoma. Overall clinical accuracy with the radiolabelled antibody was 92%, with the antibody appearing to have particular clinical utility in gynaecological and breast cancers. Single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging was shown to improve the quality of the images and to improve the diagnostic sensitivity. We believe that this unique antibody, labelled with 99Tcm, appears to offer promise for routine clinical use in the evaluation of patients with a range of primary and metastatic adenocarcinoma.