99mTc-exorphin-glucuronide in tumor diagnosis: Preparation and biodistribution studies in rats

A glucuronide derivative of exorphin C called exorphin C glucuronide was obtained by enzymatic synthesis and labeled with 99mTc using glucoheptonate (GH) as bifunctional chelating agent. Labeling efficiency was 99.7±0.03%. Biodistribution studies were performed on normal and mammary tumor bearing albino Wistar rats. In addition, scintigraphic imaging with 99mTc-GH-exorphin C glucuronide (99mTc-GEG) was performed. The radiopeptide-glucuronide is rapidly cleared via the urinary system showing lower liver uptake. Results demonstrated that 99mTc-GEG can be used as a vehicle to target tumors. © 2006 Akadémiai Kiadó.Parts of the study were presented in 2004 at the 1st International Congress of Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry in Istanbul, Turkey. The authors thank the Ege University Scientific Research Fund for financial support. -