Radiolabeled porphyrin versus gallium-67 citrate for the detection of human melanoma in athymic mice

We performed the biodistribution and imaging studies of 111In and 67Ga labeled tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl) porphine, (T4NMPYP), and compared it to that of 67Ga citrate in athymic mice bearing a human melanoma xenograft. The biodistribution results of both 111In and 67Ga labeled T4NMPYP (3, 6, 24, and 48 hours) were similar but differed from that of 67Ga citrate (48 hours). The optimum tumor uptake of both radiolabeled porphyrins was at 6 hours postinjection and was lower than the tumor uptake of 67Ga citrate at 48 hours postinjection. Kidney was the only organ showing higher uptake of radiolabeled porphyrin compared to that of 67Ga citrate. The imaging studies performed with 111In T4NMPYP and 67Ga citrate correspond to the biodistribution results. Osteomyelitis present in one mouse showed good localization of 111In T4NMPYP. 15 refs., 3 figs., 5 tabs