Technetium Behavior and Recovery in Soil

Technetium-99 in soils is of great concern because of its long half-life and because it can not be detected readily. This work reviews the behavior of technetium in various types of soils. A method for extracting technetium from soil was developed with the use of technetium-95m and 99m to determine recoveries at each step. Technetium chemistry is very complicated and problem areas in the behavior and recovery have been highlighted. Technetium is widely used in nuclear medicine and a review of its chemistry pertaining to radiopharmaceuticals is relevant and helpful in environmental studies. The technetium behavior in the patented citric acid method for the removal of toxic metals in contaminated soils was studied. An innovative method using solid phase extraction media for the concentration of technetium extracted from soils, with water and hydrogen peroxide, was developed. This technique may have a useful environmental application for this type of remediation of technetium from contaminated soils

Development of a new radiolabel (lead-203) and new chelating agents for labeling monoclonal anntibodies for imaging

High liver uptake and slow body clearance presently limit the usefulness of /sup 111/In labeled antibodies for tumor imaging. We have investigated /sup 203/Pb as an alternate and better antibody label. The DTPA and cyclohexyl EDTA (CDTA) conjugates of an anticolon carcinoma antibody, 17-1A were labeled (bicyclic anhydride method) with /sup 203/Pb and /sup 111/In with 60 and 90% labeling yields, respectively. The biodistribution of /sup 203/Pb-17-1A conjugates was compared with the corresponding /sup 111/In-labeled preparations and with /sup 203/Pb-DTPA, /sup 203/Pb-nitrate and nonrelevant antibody controls in normal and human tumor (SW948) xenografted nude mice at 24, and 96 hr. Lead-203-labeled CDTA and DTPA antibody conjugates gave similar in vivo distributions. Even though the lead bound to these chelate-antibody conjugates was more labile in serum and in vivo, compared to indium, it cleared much faster from the liver and the whole body. A new series of chelating agents based on the incorporation of a trans-1,2- diaminocyclohexane moiety into the carbon backbone of polyaminocarboxylates is being synthesized. These are expected to provide stronger complexing ability for lead and produce greater in vivo stability. These ligands are also expected to be superior to EDTA and DTPA for labeling antibodies with other radiometals, including indium. 32 refs., 3 tabs

Development and evaluation of copper-67 and samarium-153 labeled conjugates for tumor radioimmunotherapy

The potential of utilizing receptor-specific agents such as monoclonal antibodies (MAb), and MAb-derived smaller molecules, as carriers of radionuclides for the selective destruction of tumors has stimulated much research activity. The success of such applications depends on many factors, especially the tumor binding properties of the antibody reagent, the efficiency of labeling and in-vivo stability of the radioconjugate and, on the careful choice of the radionuclide best suited to treat the tumor under consideration. The radiolabeled antibody technique for radioimmunotherapy (RIT), however, has experienced many limitations, and its success has not matched the expectations that were raised more than a decade ago. The problems that have been identified include: (i) degradation of antibody immunoreactivity resulting from chemical manipulations required for labeling; (ii) lack of suitable radioisotopes and methods for stable attachment of the radiolabel; (iii) in-vivo instability of the radioimmunoconjugates; (iv) excessive accumulation of activity in non-target locations; and (v) lack of radioimmunoconjugate accessibility to cells internal to a tumor mass. A careful choice of the radionuclide(s) best suited to treat the tumor under consideration is one of the most important requirements for successful radioimmunotherapy. This study evaluates copper 67 and samarium 153 for tumor radioimmunotherapy

Correlating labeling chemistry and in-vitro test results with the biological behavior of radiolabeled proteins

Monoclonal antibodies possess enormous potential for delivery of therapeutic amounts of radionuclides to target antigens in vivo, in particular for tumor imaging and therapy. Translation of this concept into practice has encountered numerous problems. Specifically whereas general protein radiolabeling methods are applicable to antibodies, immunological properties of the antibodies are often compromised resulting in reduced in-vivo specificity for the target antigens. The bifunctional chelating agent approach shows the most promise, however, development of other agents will be necessary for widespread usefulness of this technique. The effects of labeling chemistry on the in-vivo behavior of several monoclonal antibodies are described. 30 refs., 4 figs., 10 tabs

Recent developments in blood cell labeling research

A number of recent developments in research on blood cell labeling techniques are presented. The discussion relates to three specific areas: (1) a new in vitro method for red blood cell labeling with /sup 99m/Tc; (2) a method for labeling leukocytes and platelets with /sup 99m/Tc; and (3) the use of monoclonal antibody technique for platelet labeling. The advantages and the pitfalls of these techniques are examined in the light of available mechanistic information. Problems that remain to be resolved are reviewed. An assessment is made of the progress as well as prospects in blood cell labeling methodology including that using the monoclonal antibody approach. 37 refs., 4 figs

Iodine-123 generator/iodination kit: a preliminary report

Preliminary results are described of a xenon-123 filled device to serve as a combination iodine-123 generator/iodination kit. Xenon-123 is produced in the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) by the reaction /sup 127/I(p, 5n)/sup 123/Xe. The device consists of a small glass ampoule containing an internal glass breakseal and a flanged neck on which is crimped a multi-injection type septum. The ampoule contains a hydrogen sulfide atmosphere to assure that the iodine generated from the decay of the xenon is in the form of iodide. Following an adequate period for xenon-123 to decay (this period can be used for shipment), a needle is forced through the septum breaking the seal and residual gases are pumped off. The iodine-123 in the form of iodide can then be rinsed from the ampoule with any desired solvent or reagent added directly to the device to carry out an iodination in an enclosed environment. Preliminary results of both iodine recovery and iodinations have been promising

/sup 123/I research and production at Brookhaven

The procedures for preparing high purity /sup 123/I at the BLIP using the /sup 127/I(p,5n)/sup 123/Xe reaction on an NaI target are described. The activity is supplied in a glass ampoule with anhydrous /sup 123/I deposited on the interior walls, allowing maximum flexibility in subsequent iodinations. Preliminary experience with a continuous flow target is also described. The results of a series of measurements of specific activity by neutron activation, x-ray fluorescence, uv absorption, and wet chemistry generally showed no detectable carrier. HPLC methods to analyse the chemical form of radioiodine and to characterize various iodinated radiopharmaceuticals have been developed. These methods provide higher sensitivity, speed and resolution than commonly used techniques. 19 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs

Tumor uptake of radioruthenium compounds

The use of ruthenium-97 as a scintigraphic agent, particularly for tumor localization, is investigated. The tumor uptake of ruthenium chloride and ruthenium-labelled transferrin is evaluated and their application as tumor-imagine agents is compared to gallium-67 citrate. (ACR

New cholescintigraphic agent: ruthenium-97-DISIDA

These studies demonstrate the first application of Ru-97-DISIDA in human subjects. High quality images were obtained. Scintigraphic findings in patients with hepatobiliary disorders were consistent with the biodistribution data obtained in experinmental animals and with other imaging procedures and clinical findings. Administration of Ru-97-DISIDA I.V. and of a solid test meal labeled with Tc-99m-Sulfur Colloid allowed simulateneous detection and quantification of deodenogastric reflux and determination of the gastric emptying rate. This represents an advantage as compared to the currently used techniques which necessitate two separate studies if a solid meal is used, or would mandate a liquid meal for a simultaneous study. The excellent nuclear decay characteristics of Ru-97 (tl/2 69.6 h, gamma 216 keV, 86%, no betas) permit delayed study of the hepatobiliary system with considerably less radiation exposure than I-131 Rose Bengal and with a marked improvement in image quality. 5 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs