The influence of EDTMP-concentration on the biodistribution of radio-lanthanides and 225-Ac in tumor-bearing mice

High resolution gamma spectroscopy was applied to measure simultaneously the biodistribution of carrier-free radionuclides of several lanthanides (Ce-141, Sm-145, Gd-149, Tm-167) and Ac-229 in tumor-bearing nude mice. Mixtures of the radiotracers were injected in solutions containing different concentrations of EDTMP (ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid). The strong dependence of liver uptake on the ionic radius of the radio-lanthanides was confirmed for all tracers used. The ratios of radioactivity concentrated in tumor to that concentrated in liver are strongly influenced by the EDTMP concentration, reaching values close to 10 for Tm, 3 for Sm, and 1 for Ac. The optimal EDTMP concentrations, giving highest tumor-to-liver ratios of enrichment, were between 1 and 10 mM for 100 mu L injected volume for the animal model used in this experiment. In radionuclide therapy using EDTMP as ligands, close control of ligand concentration will be necessary. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.