title: Biodistribution imaging of a paclitaxel-hyaluronan bioconjugate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gamma-ray detectors represent sensitive and noninvasive instruments to evaluate in vivo the metabolic trapping of radiopharmaceuticals. This study aimed to assess the imaging biodistribution of a [(99m)Tc]-radiolabelled new prototype bioconjugate composed of paclitaxel linked to hyaluronan (ONCOFID-P).
  
  
  METHODS
  A small gamma camera providing high-resolution images was employed. Imaging of biodistribution following intravenous, intraperitoneal, intravesical and oral administration was carried out for a 2-h period in anesthetized mice receiving [(99m)Tc]ONCOFID-P. At the end of the observation time, radioactivity in organs was directly measured. As a control, groups of mice were treated with free [(3)H]paclitaxel given according to the same administration routes, and organ biodistribution of the drug was assessed after 2 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intravenous inoculation of [(99m)Tc]ONCOFID-P was followed by a rapid and strong liver uptake. In fact, almost 80% of the imaging signal was detected in this organ 10 min after injection and such value remained constant thereafter, thus indicating that the bioconjugate given through the intravenous route could be well suited to targeting primary or metastatic liver neoplasias. Imaging of the bladder, abdomen and gastrointestinal tract after local administration disclosed that the radiolabelled compound remained confined to the cavities, suggesting a potential regional application for transitional bladder cell carcinomas, ovarian cancers and gastric tumors, respectively. Free [(3)H]paclitaxel biodistribution profoundly differed from that of [(99m)Tc]ONCOFID-P.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conjugation of drugs with polymers results in new chemical entities characterized by a modified biodistribution pattern. Therefore, preclinical studies based on imaging analysis of such new compounds can suggest novel therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banzato
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rondina
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meléndez-Alafort
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zangoni
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nadali
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Renier
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moschini
authors.forename: Ulderico
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mazzi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zanovello
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel