Evaluation of locally formulated Tc-99m glucarate as a potentially useful agent for oncology imaging

Glucarate is 6 Carbon containing dicarboxylic carbohydrate. We have developed the cold kit of Glucarate in our hospital which can be labeled with Tc-99m. Each freeze dried kit contains 12.5 mg of a lyophilized mixture of sodium glucarate, 50 μg of stannous chloride as reducing agent and gentisic acid as stabilizing agent. Just before use 30 mci of Tc-99m pertechnetate is added to the cold kit and incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. Quality control procedures are carded out using ITLC and TLC. Radiochemical purity was found to be more than 95%.Fifteen healthy normal volunteer adults from both sexes were included in the study to evaluate the normal biodistribution. Dynamic imaging was carded out for 30 minutes followed by whole body imaging. Later on 360 SPECT of chest and abdomen was performed. 24 hours whole body examination was also performed. Results of our study show rapid blood clearance. It is primarily excreted from kidneys in urine. Minimal tracer uptake is noted in liver and spleen. Almost no activity is seen in the myocardial region however residual cardiac blood pool activity becomes prominent during SPECT imaging.Ten patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's / Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma was included in the study to evaluate the role of Tc-99m Glucarate in diagnosing the extent of disease. The lesions detected on Tc-99m Glucarate study were compared with those detected on Ga-67 scans and/or CT or MRI imaging. The results indicate that the Tc-99m Glucarate can detect the active disease reliably in patients of lymphoma. Further evaluation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and behaviour of Tc-99m Glucarate in tumor tissue.. (authors)