Oncology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Oncology, including details on cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.

Design and evaluation of "3 + 1" mixed ligand oxorhenium and oxotechnetium complexes bearing a nitroaromatic group with potential application in nuclear medicine oncology.

Giglio J, Rey A, Cerecetto H, Pirmettis I, Papadopoulos M, León E, Monge A, López de Ceráin A, Azqueta A, González M, Fernández M, Paolino A, León A

Cátedra de Radioquímica, Facultad de Química, General Flores 2124, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.

The synthesis and evaluation of a series of oxotechnetium and oxorhenium complexes containing a nitroaromatic moiety as potential radiopharmaceuticals for targeting tumour hypoxia is presented. (99m)Tc labelling was performed in high yield (>85%) and radiochemical purity (>90%). Their structure was corroborated by means of the rhenium complexes. Reduction potentials were in the range for bioreducible compounds. (99m)Tc complexes III-VI were selected for "in vivo" experiments in view of the results of cytotoxicity studies. Biodistribution in normal animals was characterized by high initial blood, lung and liver uptake, fast blood and soft tissue depuration and preferential excretion via the hepatobiliary system. Initial tumour uptake was moderate but tumour/muscle ratios for complexes III and IV, were favourable at all time points. Although the results are encouraging further development is still necessary in order to achieve higher tumour uptake and lower gastrointestinal activity.

Published 18 October 2006 in Eur J Med Chem, 41(10): 1144-52.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Oncology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.