Thymidine kinase enzyme selective imaging radiopharmaceutical: 99mTc(CO)3-Ganciclovir

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to radiolabel ganciclovir, known as having selective antiviral properties against thymidine kinase, with technetium tricarbonylcore (99mTc(CO)3 +) and to investigate the biological behavior of this complex in vitro and in vivo. Commercially provided Ganciclovir (GCV) was radiolabeled with 99mTc(CO)3 +. Initially, optimum radiolabeling conditions were determined by analyzing factors such as temperature, pH and time. Quality control of the radiolabeled compound was performed. The radiolabeling yield was found to be 97%. The 99mTc(CO)3-GCV complex also displayed good in vitro stability during the 24 h period. In vitro cell uptake studies showed that the 99mTc(CO)3-GCV complex is highly uptaken in A-549, PC-3, HeLa cell lines according to the control group 99mTc(I)-tricarbonyl core. The knowledge gained from in vivo and in vitro studies of 99mTc(CO)3-GCV could contribute to the development of a new HSV1-tk gene imaging agent.