In this study, we present the evaluation of two new ternary ligand 99m Tc complexes [ 99m Tc(HYNICtetramer)(tricine)(L)] (L = ISONIC and PDA) as potential radiotracers for tumor imaging. The athymic nude mice bearing the MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer xenografts were used to evaluate their biodistribution and metabolic properties. The solution stability data showed that [ 99m Tc (HYNIC-tetramer)(tricine)(L)] (L = ISONIC and PDA) had a significant (14% and 35%, respectively) at 6 h in the absence of excess ISONIC or PDA coligand. Biodistribution data clearly showed that [ 99m Tc(HYNIC-tetramer)(tricine)(PDA)] has much lower uptake in most organs of interest than [ 99m Tc(HYNIC-tetramer)(tricine)(ISONIC)] during the 2 h study period. Results from metabolism studies revealed that ~50% of [ 99m Tc(HYNIC-tetramer)(tricine)(ISONIC)] remained intact in feces samples at 120 min p.i. Only 10% of [ 99m Tc(HYNIC-tetramer)(tricine)(PDA)] remained intact in feces samples. The extent of metabolism correlates well with the radiotracer solution stability. The results from this and our previous studies clearly demonstrated that coligands (TPPTS, ISONIC and PDA) have a significant impact on tumor uptake, excretion kinetics and metabolism of the 99m Tc-labeled cyclic RGDfK tetramer. Among the three radiotracers evaluated in this tumor-bearing animal model, [ 99m Tc(HYNIC-tetramer)(tricine)(TPPTS)] remains the best with respect to blood clearance, tumor uptake, target/background ratios.