Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in cell division and cancer progression, as well as angiogenesis and metastasis. Since many tumor cells exhibit the EGFR on their surface, functional imaging of EGFR provides not only a non-invasive, reproducible, quantifiable alternative to biopsies, but it also greatly complements pharmacokinetic studies by correlating clinical responses with biological effects. Moreover, molecular endpoints of anti-EGFR therapy could be assessed effectively. C225 is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets the human extracellular EGFR and inhibits the growth of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. Also, it has been demonstrated that C225, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs or radiotherapy, is effective in eradicating well-established tumors in nude mice. We have developed 99mTc-labeled C225 using ethylenedicysteine (EC) as a chelator. This study aimed at measuring uptake of 99mTc-EC-C225 in EGFR+ tumor-bearing animal models and preliminary feasibility of imaging patients with head and neck carcinomas. In vitro Western blot analysis and cytotoxicity assays were used to examine the integrity of EC-C225. Tissue distribution studies of 99mTc-EC-C225 were evaluated in tumor-bearing rodents at 0.5-4 h. In vivo biodistribution of 99mTc-EC-C225 in tumor-bearing rodents showed increased tumor-to-tissue ratios as a function of time. In vitro and biodistribution studies demonstrated the possibility of using 99mTc-EC-C225 to assess EGFR expression. SPECT images confirmed that the tumors could be visualized with 99mTc-EC-C225 from 0.5 to 4 h in tumor bearing rodents. We conclude that 99mTc-EC-C225 may be useful to assess tumor EGFR expression. This may be useful in the future for selecting patients for treatment with C225.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate 99m Tc-ethylenedicysteine-glucosamine (EC-DG)

Our data demonstrate the feasibility of using hydrogel for delivery of chemotherapeutics and radiation locally. This technique may have applications involving other contrast modalities as well as treatment in cases where tumors are inoperable.

Objective This study was aimed to assess pancreas beta cell activity using 99mTc-diethyleneaminepentaacetic acid-glipizide (DTPA-GLP), a sulfonylurea receptor agent. The effect of DTPA-GLP on the blood glucose level in rats was also evaluated. Methods DTPA dianhydride was conjugated with GLP in the presence of sodium amide, yielding 60%. Biodistribution and planar images were obtained at 30–120 min after injection of 99mTc-DTPA-GLP (1 mg/rat, 0.74 and 11.1 MBq per rat, respectively) in normal female Fischer 344 rats. The control group was given 99mTc-DTPA. To demonstrate pancreas beta cell uptake of 99mTc-DTPA-GLP via a receptor-mediated process, a group of rats was pretreated with streptozotocin (a beta cell toxin, 55 mg/kg, i.v.) and the images were acquired at immediately—65 min on day 5 post-treatment. The effect on the glucose levels after a single administration (ip) of DTPA-GLP was compared to glipizide (GLP) for up to 6 h. Results The structure of DTPA-GLP was confirmed by NMR, mass spectrometry and HPLC. Radiochemical purity assessed by ITLC was >96%. 99mTc-DTPA-GLP showed increased pancreas-to-muscle ratios, whereas 99mTc-DTPA showed decreased ratios at various time points. Pancreas could be visualized with 99mTc-DTPA-GLP in normal rat, however, 99mTc-DTPA has poor uptake suggesting the specificity of 99mTc-DTPA-GLP. Pancreas beta cell uptake could be blocked by pre-treatment with streptozotocin. DTPA-GLP showed an equal or better response in lowering the glucose levels compared to the existing GLP drug. Conclusions It is feasible to use 99mTc-DTPA-GLP to assess pancreas beta cell receptor recognition. 99mTc-DTPA-GLP may be helpful in evaluating patients with diabetes, pancreatitis and pancreatic tumors.

Reactions of morpholine with 4‐halocoumarins 1, 3‐halocoumarins 3, and 2‐halo‐l,4‐naphthoquinones 8 yield two different products, one where halogen is replaced by a nucleophile at the same carbon and the other where the nucleophile is attached to the vicinal carbon away from that bearing the halogen. It is considered that reactions proceeds through nucleophilic vinylic substitution by comparision of the reaction products and deuterium exchange experiments. Plausible mechanisms for these routes are suggested.