Sentinel node imaging via a nonparticulate receptor-binding radiotracer.
Technetium-99m-labeled polydiethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid polymannosyl polylysine (DTPA-man-PL) was synthesized and tested for lymph node scintigraphy by subcutaneous administration. The agent was designed for receptor-mediated uptake by mannosebinding protein, which resides on the plasma membrane of reticuloendothelial cells.


METHODS
Subcutaneous injections of a 99mTc-labeled agent having 18 DTPA and 82 mannosyl groups attached to a polylysine of 100 units ([99mTc]DTPA18-man82-PL100) were made at the level of the metacarpus and metatarsus of three healthy rabbits. Images were acquired at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hr. Popliteal and axillary nodes were then assayed for percent of injected dose (%ID). A negative control study was performed in three normal rabbits with [99mTc]DTPA18-PL100.


RESULTS
Significant differences in mean 24-hr %ID between the receptor specific and nonspecific agents were observed for both the popliteal (p < 0.006) and axillary (p < 0.012) nodes. Popliteal percent injected dose at 24 hr was 3.00 +/- 0.72% for [99mTc]DTPA-man-PL and 0.13 +/- 0.08% for [99mTc] DTPA-polylysine. Axillary accumulation at 24 hr was 2.84 +/- 0.83% for [99mTc]DTPA-mannosyl-polylysine and 0.22 +/- 0.12% for [99mTc] DTPA-polylysine. Percent injected dose of the receptor-specific agent was highest (4%) during the 6-hr scan. Accumulation of the nonspecific agent by the popliteal and axillary nodes at 6-hr postinjection was approximately 0.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides proof of principle for lymphoscintigraphy by receptor-mediated delivery of a nonparticulate imaging agent.
Vera
D R
DR
Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis, USA.
Wisner
E R
ER
Stadalnik
R C
RC
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008358:Mannose / Q000378:metabolism; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D011107:Polylysine / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D011817:Rabbits; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate / Q000138:chemical synthesis
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C105390:technetium Tc 99m polydiethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid polymannosyl polylysine; D011107:Polylysine; D008358:Mannose; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate