Preparation, distribution, stability and tumor imaging properties of [Zn] bleomycin complex in normal and tumor-bearing mice

Backgrounds: Bleomycin (BLM) has been labeled with radioisotopes and widely used in therapy and diagnosis. In this study BLM was labeled with [Zn] zinc chloride for oncologic PET studies. Materials and methods: The complex was obtained at the pH=2 in normal saline at 90°C in 60 min. Radio-TLC showed an overall radiochemical yield of 95-97% (radiochemical purity > 97%). Stability of complex was checked in vitro in mice and human plasma/urine. Results: Preliminary in vivo studies performed to determine complex stability and distribution of [Zn] BLM in normal and fibrosarcoma-bearing mice. [Zn] BLM accumulated significantly in induced fibrosarcoma tumors in mice according to bio-distribution/imaging studies. Conclusion: [Zn] BLM can be used in PET oncology studies due to its suitable physicochemical properties as a diagnostic complex in vitro and in vivo. Further studies should be performed for evaluation of the complex behavior in higher animals. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2003; 1(1): 37 44.