The Scientific World Journal
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 676719, 33 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/676719

Review Article

Radiotracers Used for the Scintigraphic Detection of Infection and Inflammation

Chris Tsopelas

RAH Radiopharmacy, Nuclear Medicine Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia

Received 28 July 2014; Revised 16 October 2014; Accepted 20 October 2014

Academic Editor: Harry Hendrikse

Copyright © 2015 Chris Tsopelas. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Over the last forty years, a small group of commercial radiopharmaceuticals have found their way into routine medical use, for the diagnostic imaging of patients with infection or inflammation. These molecular radiotracers usually participate in the immune response to an antigen, by tagging leukocytes or other molecules/cells that are endogenous to the process. Currently there is an advancing effort by researchers in the preclinical domain to design and develop new agents for this application. This review discusses radiopharmaceuticals used in the nuclear medicine clinic today, as well as those potential radiotracers that exploit an organism’s defence mechanisms to an infectious or inflammatory event.

1. Introduction

Since the early 1970s, the quest continues to find the ideal infection imaging and/or inflammation imaging agent. The design of such a radiotracer is usually influenced by the immunological literature, intentionally targeting the pathogen or an element of the inflammatory process, and its practical application occurs in preclinical and clinical evaluations. Some promising radiotracers have advanced beyond the clinical investigational status and achieved regulatory approval for sale to routine nuclear medicine practices. At the clinical level, the nuclear medicine role is to choose an appropriate radiopharmaceutical indicated for the patient’s condition, administer the dose, and then acquire scintigraphic scans to finally derive a good medical diagnosis. An infection can be described as the combination of a pathogen invader that becomes activated and the consequent immunological response by the host. An inflammation is that process concerned with the host immune response to a pathogen and/or antigen, so as to neutralize and remove it and then initiate healing steps. The immune system is comprised of a sophisticated array of biological structures and functional strategies that serve to protect the host organism. In general, the immune system recognizes the foreign material from signals given by the pathogen (i.e., proteins, lipopolysaccharides, or microbe parts), signals emitted from the damaged site (i.e., increased local blood flow, release of eicosanoids, cytokines, etc., from local cells), or other immune elements (i.e., complement binding to antibodies attached to microbes, opsonization, chemotactic molecules, etc.) to circulating and localized “sentinel” cells.

The acute phase response occurs during the recognition period when the host immune system commences complex attack strategies on the antigenic material (i.e., phagocytosis, killer lymphocyte actions, etc.). Antigens can be xenobiotic molecules, small or large allogeneic molecules, error-assembled autologous molecules, small or large particulates, or even macrosized materials. Pathogens can be microbes (i.e., bacteria, viruses, prions, viroids) or larger multicellular organisms (i.e., fungi, nematodes, other parasites). The defence mechanism toward a sudden presence of foreign material involves the appearance of naïve dendritic cells that subsequently internalize some extracellular antigen to create major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. These tightly bound complexes are expressed on the outer membrane surface, and this is associated with the differentiation of naïve dendritic cells into a mature state in the lymph nodes. Here, dendritic cells communicate their recognition of antigen with other linked cells (i.e., lymphocytes), using proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumour necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukins, etc.) to ultimately recruit neutrophils from the circulation to the invasion site (Figure 1). Mast cells at the site are stimulated into releasing histamines that cause vasodilation. At the endothelial cell barrier, neutrophils participate in rolling, adhesion, and transmigration events into the extravascular site that harbours the antigen. The chronic phase of the immune response follows with a cascade of simultaneous attack events involving both adaptive and innate systems. The leucocyte milieu is actively engaged in a complex sequence of intense cell-cell signalling to recruit polymorphonuclear cells, as well as numerous direct and indirect actions to control, degrade, and remove the antigen. Among those, macrophages and T helper cells are stimulated into releasing inflammatory mediators, destructive enzymes (i.e., myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase, etc.), and oxidizers (i.e., superoxide anions, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, N-chloroanalogues). The activated complement system participates via an increase in immunoglobulin production and chemotactic mediators to recruit more neutrophils. After the antigen is removed, the healing phase initiates with mast cells, T-helper cells, and basophils that release interleukin signals, then stimulated macrophages express tissue remodelling molecules and angiogenic growth factors. There is a promotion of fibroblast cells growth, these cells accumulate at the wound site and proliferate into myofibroblasts followed by collagen deposition. T lymphocytes and monocytes are recruited to the site, macrophages alternate their responses and angiogenesis is promoted during repair.

Figure 1: Schematic representation of an immune response to a bacterial infection. Tethering: P-selectins bind to PSGL-1 and tether PMN. Rolling: P-selectins bring PMN near E-selectins and slow rolling commences. Chemokine signalling: slow rolling allows IL-8 binding to CXCR1, then integrin activation results in more adhesive interactions with endothelial ligands. Adhesion: activated LFA-1 binds ICAM-1 or ICAM -2 for firm adhesion. Diapedesis: PMN begins diapedesis by exchanging tight junction molecules with endothelial cells. Migration: PMN follows a gradient of inflammatory chemokines to pathogens. Attack: complement attacks the incoming pathogens, mast cells, and macrophage phagocytose pathogens; toll-like receptor molecules trigger inflammation; antigen presenting dendritic cells express MHC molecules to activate T lymphocytes and to recruit neutrophils. PMN = polymorphonuclear neutrophil; CXCR/CCR = chemokine receptor; s-Le-x = sialyl-Lewis X; LFA = lymphocyte function-associated antigen; PSGL = P-selectin glycoprotein ligand; IL = interleukin; CD = cluster of differentiation; CD11a/CD18 = integrins; RBC = red blood cell; JAM = junctional adhesion molecule; PECAM = platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule; DC = dendritic cell; MHC = major histocompatibility complex; T cell = T lymphocyte; IP-10 = interferon-gamma induced protein-10; MIP = macrophage inflammatory protein; RANTES = regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (CCL5 chemokine); TNFα = tumor necrosis factor alpha; C3a and C5a = complement components 3a and 5a; LTB4 = leukotriene B4.

Immunology is a major research field, widely pursued to expand our understanding of cellular and molecular processes in immunity, which can be translated into improving human health in medical diagnoses and treatments. The advancing knowledge is correlated with an impetus to develop radiotracers as inflammatory response markers; some have already progressed to the clinic as radiopharmaceutical-white cells, immunoglobulins, complement proteins, cytokines, or microbial peptide fragments. A radiopharmaceutical is an agent that has achieved the market authorization for human use and is comprised of a medical radionuclide bonded to a pharmaceutical ligand. The medical radionuclide typically emits safe γ-rays with a minimal radiation burden, and it is appropriately detected by a scintillation gamma camera for processing data into patient scans. Regulatory-approved diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals such as ⁶⁷Ga-citrate and ¹¹¹In-oxine have been commercially available in various continents since the ~1970s, following a time of newly formed regulatory agencies and during the “revolution” of others. In the 1980s CERETEC was a new product release, HIG, LLK, Scintimun, and Sulesomab followed during the 1990s, and then in 2004 ¹⁸FDG was introduced to clinics in an era that coincided with regulatory efforts to achieve global GMP harmonisation. Radiopharmaceuticals can contain active ingredients of synthetic origin, biological origin, or a formulation to label leukocytes, and are traditionally produced in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility. These injectable products exploit the inflammatory response by radiolabeling leukocytes, participating in increased metabolic pathways, and labeling endogenous molecules or microbes. Information about a typical radiopharmaceutical product is accessible from the Product Information Sheet or company website, and the academic literature contains abundant information on their clinical applications.

Clinical investigational radiopharmaceuticals, or tracers late in the development phase, are intended for human use and usually have local human ethics approval or in some countries low-level regulatory approval, but nevertheless they do not achieve the market authorization. Preclinical radiotracers are radiochemicals, or tracers in the research phase; they are intended for animal use and have local animal ethics approval, or for in vitro bench work. The growing literature contains information on radiochemicals such as synthetic molecules, biologicals, and cells, ranging from their radiolabeling methodologies to localisation mechanisms in vivo. In this chapter the routine clinical products are discussed, plus those radiotracers capable of effectively discriminating infection from inflammation or selectively discriminating between different types of infection.

2. Radiopharmaceuticals

2.1. Current Clinical Imaging Agents in Routine Use

2.1.1. Synthetic Molecules

The most commonly used diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals are mainly -based. The tracer is either used to radiolabel blood cells ex vivo before intravenous injection into the patient, or is administered directly. Technetium-99m is obtained from a generator, a reuseable device that gives the parent isotope as sodium -pertechnetate pharmaceutical, from the grandparent ⁹⁹Mo-molybdate (Table 1). Its mode of decay is by isomeric transition to emit γ-rays of 140 keV with no tissue burden. This point source can be easily shielded (i.e., 7 mm Pb pots) to protect operators, and the isotope half-life of 6 hours is convenient during a clinical working day. -pertechnetate requires reduction in situ to allow radiometal coordination with a ligand. Another important isotope Indium-111 is supplied as a salt solution, or in the form of a coordinated complex such as ¹¹¹In-oxine to radiolabel leukocytes. This isotope decays by electron capture to yield useful energies of detection with a γ-camera, and it needs more shielding than during handling by the operator. The 3-day half-life has the advantage of performing delayed patient scans after significant accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical. Gallium-67 is predominantly supplied as the citrate complex in a multidose vial, the isotope decays by electron capture to yield detectable energies, and it requires thicker shielding than to contain the higher energy emissions. Like ¹¹¹In, the half-life of ⁶⁷Ga also allows for delayed scintigraphy. The currently popular isotope ¹⁸F decays by emitting positrons that collide with surrounding atoms and annihilate to produce higher energy γ-rays (2 × 511 keV). It requires considerably more lead shielding (i.e., >20 mm Pb), and the half-life of 110 min necessitates swift coordination of operations during a working day.

Table 1: Physical characteristics of parent radioisotopes.

Parent
isotope
Origin
Reaction from
grandparent
Half-life
Decay reaction to daughter
Mode of decay
Useful energy (keV)
Abundance (%)
Supplied
form

99mTc
Reactor
235U(n,f)⁹⁹Mo
⁹⁹Mo 99mTc ()
6.0 hr
99mTc ⁹⁹Tc
Isomeric transition,  
140
86
Generatora

111In
Cyclotron
112Cd(p,2n)¹¹¹In
2.8 day
111In () ¹¹¹Cd ()
Electron capture,
172, 247
91, 94
Solution

67Ga
Cyclotron
68Zn(p,2n)⁶⁷Ga
78.3 hr
67Ga ⁶⁷Zn ()
Electron capture,
93, 185, 300, 393
38, 21, 17, 5
Solution

18F
Cyclotron
18O(p,n)¹⁸F
109.8 min
18F ¹⁸O ()
Positron emission
average 249 ()
97
Solution

18F ¹⁸O ()
Electron capture,
511
3

Grandparent isotope is localized in the stationary phase of a column, and the parent isotope is isolated by elution with a mobile phase.

Of the commercial cold kit formulations (Table 2), CERETEC is used to prepare -exametazime (also known as -HMPAO) indicated for perfusion brain imaging, but extensive validation has also led to its widespread application of radiolabeling white blood cells to detect infection. The vial formulation contains the active ingredient exametazime, with excipients stannous chloride and sodium chloride under a nitrogen gas atmosphere. The active is present as the d,l-diastereoisomers, the ligands that coordinate -reduced by stannous ions. The reconstituted product is tested soon after reconstitution. Quality control assays have employed a paper stationary phase with a single strip [1] developed in an organic solvent, a cartridge method with saline solvent [2], or the manufacturer recommended dual strip method [3] with methyl ethyl ketone and normal saline solvents. The traditional formulation is used within thirty minutes after reconstitution to label white blood cells in an ex vivo procedure.

Table 2: Commercial radiopharmaceuticals currently used in clinical nuclear medicine.

Product trade Name/code
Manufacturer/sponsor
Final dose preparationa,b
Mode of
administration
Indicationsc

Origin
Description

CERETEC
UK
Kit for the preparation of technetium [99mTc] exametazime injection
Simple
Intravenous
Scintigraphic localization of seizure foci in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

LEUCOCYTE Labelling Kit [LLK]
Australia
Kit for the preparation of technetium [99mTc] labelled leucocytes (99mTc-Sn(O)F₂)
Complex
Intravenous
Image acute inflammation or infection

MDP
Many
Kit for the preparation of technetium [99mTc]
medronate injection
Simple
Intravenous
Skeletal imaging pharmaceutical

Indium [¹¹¹In] oxine
UK, Netherlands
A diagnostic radiopharmaceutical intended for radiolabelling
Simple
Intravenous
In vitro radiolabeling of separated leukocytes and platelets which are subsequently reinjected intravenously for investigative purposes

Gallium [⁶⁷Ga] citrate injection
Many
An injection containing radioactive gallium [⁶⁷Ga]
Simple
Intravenous
It may be useful in demonstrating the presence and extent of Hodgkin’s disease, lymphomas, and bronchogenic carcinoma and may also be useful as an aid in detecting some acute inflammatory lesions

Fluorodeoxyglucose [¹⁸F] injection
Many
A positron emitting radiopharmaceutical containing no-carrier added radioactive 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose
Simple
Intravenous
Identification of regions of abnormal glucose metabolism associated with foci of epileptic seizures, in the evaluation of malignancy in patients and identification of left ventricular myocardium with residual glucose metabolism and reversible loss of systolic function

LeukoScan
USA, Germany
Kit for the preparation of 99mTc-labeled LeukoScan
Simple
Intravenous
For determining the location and extent of infection/inflammation in bone in patients with suspected osteomyelitis, including patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Scintimun
France
Scintimun 1 mg kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation
Complex
Intravenous
For determining the location of inflammation/infection in peripheral bone in adults with suspected osteomyelitis

Nanocoll
Italy
Kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation (99mTc-HAA)
Simple
Intravenous
Bone marrow scanning (excluding hematopoietic activity) and inflammation scanning (excluding the abdomen)

Simple operations involving one radioisotope reconstitution step/withdrawal of final patient dose(s); bcomplex operations involving multisteps of reconstitution/heating/other manipulations/purification/withdrawal of final patient dose(s); cfrom the Product Information Sheet.

LLK is a product used to prepare -stannous fluoride colloid, a reagent for preparing -leukocytes indicated for inflammation/infection imaging. There are two component vials in the kit: the vial A formulation contains aqueous sodium fluoride solution and vial B contains lyophilized stannous fluoride. The -colloid shelf-life is 60 minutes at room temperature, and it is quality control tested using a silica gel impregnated-paper strip with saline solvent [4] to give >95% radiochemical purity (RCP). Soon after preparation it is used for labeling white cells.

MDP is reconstituted with -pertechnetate to yield -medronate, a product indicated for bone imaging. The bone scan provides information for comparison with the primary scan derived from another agent (i.e., ⁶⁷Ga-citrate). A typical vial formulation contains medronic acid (MDP), stannous chloride, and ascorbic acid under nitrogen. MDP is likely to be mixtures of short- and long-chain polymers [5]. -MDP tends to degrade by oxidation and radiolysis unless ascorbic acid is part of the formulation. The reconstituted shelf-life is 8 hours at room temperature, and quality control testing using a dual strip method gives an RCP of ≥95% -MDP and ≤2% of unreacted -pertechnetate impurity.

¹¹¹In-oxine is a radioactive solution indicated for white cell imaging/counting after preparing ¹¹¹In-leukocytes. The formulation comprises 8-hydroxyquinoline, polysorbate 80, and HEPES buffer in 0.75% sodium chloride solution under nitrogen. Oxine is a bidentate ligand that forms a tris-complex with ¹¹¹In at neutral pH (~7). The polysorbate excipient solubilizes the hydrophobic moiety in aqueous solution. The shelf-life is 8 hours at 2–8°C after opening, and the radiopharmaceutical is calibrated at 37 MBq/mL (>1.85 GBq/μg) with an impurity level of ≤0.08% In per ¹¹¹In. The product is often used soon after receipt to radiolabel the leukocytes, but it is not approved for direct administration into a patient.

⁶⁷Ga-citrate is also a radioactive solution, indicated for detecting cancer and some acute inflammatory lesions after patient injection. The radioactive formulation of sodium chloride and sodium citrate is isotonic and usually contains an antimicrobial preservative such as benzyl alcohol (0.9% w/v) with a broad pH range (4.5–8). ⁶⁷Ga-citrate is essentially a bidentate complex at neutral pH; the citrate salt is designed to minimize the level of gallate (⁶⁷Ga) and gallium hydroxide (⁶⁷Ga(OH)₃). The product is available as different calibrated amounts, each multidose vial should be used within 5-6 days. Paper electrophoresis [6] is one quality control test method; otherwise a single strip of Whatman 1 paper developed in pyridine : ethanol : water [1 : 2 : 4] solvent can determine a radionuclidic purity ≥99.8%.

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸FDG) is a radioactive solution indicated for the identification of regions of abnormal glucose metabolism associated with the myocardium, foci of epileptic seizures, and malignancy. A typical ¹⁸FDG injection is an isotonic, sterile, pyrogen-free, and preservative-free solution, containing the active ingredient 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose in a broad pH range (4.5–8). This product is stored below ~25°C and used on the same day within 10–12 hours due to the short half-life of ¹⁸F ( minutes). ¹⁸FDG is calibrated at different GBq levels; the manufactured amount is primarily dictated by the advanced number of patient bookings. Quality control testing is performed by the manufacturer or at the end-user site, and it involves identification tests (i.e., radionuclidic purity, half-life, radiochemical purity), pH, assays (i.e., residual solvents, impurities), and biological tests (i.e., sterility, endotoxins).

2.1.2. White Blood Cells

Different countries vary in their regulations, laws, or acts regarding extemporaneous compounding of radiopharmaceuticals; however, there are special requirements when radiolabeling autologous blood cells because sterilization is not possible after the process. Biological fluids are handled aseptically in a biohazard safety cabinet containing a work zone supplied with HEPA-filtered air (vertical laminar flow), separate from the area for compounding synthetic radiopharmaceuticals. On the day of a scan, the patient donates a whole blood sample and then it is manipulated to isolate the white cells, in the first part of a two-part procedure. The blood syringes have a wide bore needle (<21 G) attached, to prevent cellular damage from shear stress during fluid transfers. Only trained operators perform the procedure under controlled conditions, to prevent cross contamination to the operator from a potentially infectious sample, and the blood sample from the working environment or operator. The second part of the procedure involves labeling the isolated white cells with a selected radiopharmaceutical. Usually one operator is assigned per cell labeling procedure that is performed in a dedicated and clean work zone. There should be written procedures and regular practice to ensure that the original blood donor (patient) receives their own tagged cells. A radiolabeled-leukocyte patient dose must be a homogeneous suspension and absent of any clumps or cell aggregates, and it should be injected into the donor patient as soon as possible after the procedure, certainly within 1 hour so that there is minimal release of radioisotope from cells in vitro.

(1) Radiopharmaceuticals for Labeling White Cells (Ex Vivo Procedures)

-HMPAO. -HMPAO is a common radiopharmaceutical that has largely replaced ¹¹¹In-oxine because of the favourable physical properties of , wide availability, and cost and lower radiation burden to the patient. Its lipophilic property allows it to cross the white cell membrane, where the isotope is intracellularly trapped. The labile -HMPAO agent must be rapidly combined with white cells to initiate radiolabeling, when the hydrophilic impurities are low. The impurities are physically separated from -cells during the purification step. Quality control testing is performed by the operator prior to release and involves an identification test (i.e., visual inspection) and assay (i.e., radiolabeling efficiency or %RE).

-Tin Fluoride Colloid. -tin fluoride colloid originated as a radiotracer for labeling leukocytes in Australia almost 30 years ago and has since been employed in routine clinical practice. The reagent -colloid is prepared in advance to yield large radiocolloid particles that have an affinity for cells. Unlike -HMPAO and ¹¹¹In-oxine that are added to the isolated mixed leukocytes, -tin fluoride colloid is added directly to whole blood. This radiocolloid binds to the cell membrane, and then it is potentially phagocytosed by the polymorphonuclear cells. Any unbound radioactivity (<5%) is removed during a purification step. Quality control testing involves visual inspection and determining %RE.

¹¹¹In-Oxine. ¹¹¹In-oxine is neutral and lipophilic, allowing it to diffuse through the white cell membrane, then ¹¹¹In(III) is released and ~77% [7] trapped after binding with cytoplasmic molecules. Labeling of mixed leukocytes causes some radiation damage to the lymphocyte population due to self-irradiation by internal conversion of (Auger) electrons, however, damaged cells are eliminated through apoptotic and phagocytic pathways [8]. As in all cell radiolabeling procedures, the purification step physically separates cells from soluble impurities. Quality control testing traditionally involves visual inspection and determining %RE.

(2) Radiopharmaceutical for Labeling Other Cells In Vivo. ⁶⁷Ga-citrate is administered directly into the circulation by intravenous injection, and the isotope is transchelated to more avid serum proteins, especially transferrin. It has been proposed that ⁶⁷Ga-transferrin delivers the radionuclide to circulating leukocytes and then transchelation to intracellular lactoferrin affords labeled white cells. Furthermore ⁶⁷Ga-transferrin most likely provides ⁶⁷Ga to ferritin or siderophore molecules expressed by bacteria at the lesion site. ⁶⁷Ga has higher chemical affinity for siderophores > ferritin > lactoferrin > transferrin, and this explains transchelation events between such molecules in vivo.

2.1.3. Molecules of Biological Origin

LeukoScan. LeukoScan is a product used to prepare -sulesomab, indicated for imaging infection/inflammation in the bone of patients with suspected osteomyelitis, including those with diabetic foot ulcers. A typical vial formulation contains the active ingredient sulesomab (IMMU-MN3), stannous chloride, tartrate and acetate salts, sodium chloride, glacial acetic acid and hydrochloric acid (trace) and sucrose under nitrogen. IMMU-MN3 is a murine Fab’-SH antigranulocyte monoclonal antibody fragment. The reconstituted shelf-life is 4 hours at room temperature and quality control testing can be performed using a single strip method in acetone solvent to give ≥90% RCP -sulesomab (and <10% free ). -sulesomab binds to the nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) 90 surface glycoprotein of activated granulocytes and then -cells participate in the immune response. This product also recognizes endogenous carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). After intravenous injection, radioactivity accumulates at the inflammatory site over the next 1–8 hours. Possible contraindications are a lowered white blood cell count, and a human-anti-mouse antibody response (HAMA) since the antibody fragment is a xenobiotic.

Scintimun. Scintimun is a product used to prepare -besilesomab that is indicated for imaging the location of infection/inflammation in peripheral bone of patients with suspected osteomyelitis. There are two component vials in the Kit and each vial contains a white powder. The Scintimun vial formulation contains besilesomab (BW 250/183), phosphate salts, and sorbitol under nitrogen. BW 250/183 is a murine immunoglobulin of the IgG1 isotype, a monoclonal antibody. The Solvent for Scintimun vial formulation contains 1,1,3,3-propane tetraphosphonate salt, stannous chloride, and sodium chloride under nitrogen. The reconstituted shelf-life is 3 hours at room temperature, and the quality control test of the injection occurs with a single strip developed in MEK solvent to give ≥95% RCP -besilesomab (and <5% free ). -sulesomab in the blood circulation binds to the NCA-95 on granulocytes and granulocyte precursors, and also recognizes CEA-related cell adhesion molecule-8. Radiolabeled cells in vivo participate in the immune response and accumulate at the inflammatory site over the next 3–6 hours. As with LeukoScan, possible undesirable effects are a HAMA response, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions.

Nanocoll. Most commercial organic particulates are comprised of the denatured or aggregated protein human serum albumin. The general procedure for larger particles such as human albumin microspheres requires rapid mixing of an aqueous albumin solution with vegetable oil to produce an emulsion of spheres. In the presence of stannous chloride the oil is heated to remove water; then spheres solidify with the reductant enmeshed within the colloidal matrix [9]. The spheres are filtered, washed with a nonpolar solvent to remove excess oil, and then sieved to isolate the appropriate size range. Nanocoll is a product used to prepare -albumin nanocolloid injection, indicated for inflammation scanning in areas other than the abdomen. A typical vial formulation contains human albumin colloid, stannous chloride, poloxamer 238, sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium phytate, and glucose under nitrogen. The reconstituted shelf-life is 6 hours at room temperature, and quality control testing can be performed using a single strip (Whatman 1 paper) developed in methanol : water [85 : 15] solvent to give ≥95% RCP of product. -albumin nanocolloid after intravenous injection is delivered by blood flow at or near the inflammatory site due to the “leaky” vasculature, 45 to 60 minutes later. Possible undesirable effects are hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Human albumin in Nanocoll is nonreactive towards hepatitis B surface antigen, and antibodies towards the human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus.

2.2. Radiolabeling Methodologies

2.2.1. Simple Operations

A simple operation involves those functions undertaken by personnel during extemporaneous compounding of either one radioisotope reconstitution/radiolabeling step and then withdrawal of final patient dose(s) from the source vial, or no radiolabeling step but withdrawal of doses directly from the source vial. Examples are -HMPAO, -MDP, -sulesomab and -albumin nanocolloid. Reconstitution of CERETEC with freshly eluted -pertechnetate (<2 hours old) yields >90% d,l-diastereoisomeric mixture of -HMPAO within the first few minutes, and ≥80% during the 30-minute shelf-life. (VII) pertechnetate is reduced by stannous ions and the resulting radiometal-bound-HMPAO contains a mono-oxo core of (V)=O. -MDP is prepared efficiently after reconstitution with concentrated -pertechnetate. The resulting complex is a polymeric structure [5] with subunits of . The presence of an antioxidant (i.e., ascorbic acid) in the formulation solution acts to scavenge any free radicals formed by oxidative radiolysis, and this enhances the product stability at room temperature over its shelf-life. -sulesomab is prepared in good yield at 10 minutes after reconstitution with concentrated -pertechnetate. The oxidation state and the type of bond to antibody fragment are unknown, but the reduced radiometal is likely to be coordinated with the sulfurhydryl groups in the Fab’ fragment (see Figure 4). -albumin nanocolloid is prepared in high yield, the stannous ions within the particle matrix effect reduction before coordinates with ionic groups on the particle surface. The presence of phytate in the formulation suggests this weak coordinator probably binds reduced transiently, in advance of binding to the surface of particles that are essentially <80 nm in size. ¹¹¹In-oxine, ⁶⁷Ga-citrate, and ¹⁸FDG (off-site cyclotron) are produced and quality control tested at a GMP manufacturing site, allowing the released product to be used immediately after delivery at the imaging clinic.

2.2.2. Complex Operations

A complex operation involves those functions undertaken by personnel during extemporaneous compounding with multiple steps to prepare radiopharmaceutical patient doses. This particularly includes blood cells that require handling, manipulation, isolation, radiolabeling, and purification steps before withdrawing a patient dose, and these occur in a higher grade work environment (laminar flow cabinet, biohazard cabinet, isolator, cleanroom). Examples include -leukocytes and ¹¹¹In-leukocytes. The noncellular tracers also need multiple steps for their preparation, such as -tin fluoride colloid and -besilesomab. When a facility has a cyclotron on-site it can produce ¹⁸F-fluoride, the starting material for synthesizing ¹⁸FDG by an automated system, but it is nevertheless a complex process that includes heating and purification of materials.

LLK & -Tin Fluoride Colloid-Leukocytes. Two radiolabeling procedures are performed when leukocytes are bound with -tin fluoride colloid. The first involves mixing aqueous sodium fluoride with a solution of stannous fluoride in water in the Kit B vial. Then the diluted contents of the vial are passed through a 0.2 μm filter, and a portion of the filtrate is added to -pertechnetate. After mixing the liquid by rotation in a syringe for 50 minutes, -pertechnetate is entirely converted to the colourless and hydrophilic -tin fluoride colloid. The chemical reactions of particle formation are characterized by two sequential processes of nucleation and growth [10]. In a supersaturated concentration of stannous fluoride solution, molecules associate in clusters or embryos until they reach a size threshold when they precipitate as “template” particles [11]. After nucleation, the particles grow from the diffusion of remaining reactants to template surfaces. Tin-oxide bonds in tin clusters have been identified in the Kit B formulation by mass spectrometry, and these bonds are important in the particle structure [12]. The filtration step in the procedure is important in concentrating <200 nm particles intended for reaction with -pertechnetate. In contrast to other preformed particles such as albumin nanocolloid, -tin fluoride colloid particles are created simultaneously when is reduced, and then radiometal binds to the oxygenated particle surface. Stannous fluoride is hydrolysed rather than oxidized, the ensuing Sn–O–Sn and Sn(II)–OH bonds occur during radiocolloid formation and growth. Sodium fluoride in vial A provides sodium ions for the surface containing Sn–O⁻ bonds. Radioactive particle size analyses indicate ≥95% of -particles are 1000–3000 nm [12], and it is still unclear whether the growth phase is defined as an association of many 200 nm template particles to produce one larger 2000 nm particle, or that each template particle enlarges to a diameter of 2000 nm. This radiocolloid is particularly interesting because depending on its physical manipulation, it either deflocculates into smaller particles [13] or aggregates into larger particles [14]. These observations indicate that certain bonds in the colloid are weak and perhaps even reversible, implying that particle growth involves the association of many template particles.

In the second part of the procedure, -tin fluoride colloid is mixed for an hour with a sample of patient whole blood ex vivo, cells are radiolabeled, the sample is centrifuged to sediment the cells away from free , and then reconstituted blood is administered back into the same patient. After using two different techniques [15, 16], it was shown that -activity is predominantly associated with red cells (66–75%), to a lesser extent neutrophils (9–14%), and other white cells (10–12%). It was reported that the neutrophils could scavenge radiocolloid bound with lower affinity to the erythrocyte surface. However, the radiolabeling mechanism was proposed to depend upon phagocytic engulfment [17] of appropriately sized -tin fluoride colloid particles by neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils. Another work has shown that the opsonization of -tin fluoride colloid is an important process in blood prior to phagocytosis and that the opsonin concentration in the small blood sample ex vivo might be insufficient to account for the total population of antigen particles [18]. Other attempts to support this hypothesis showed the proportion of radioactive neutrophils in whole blood was unchanged, regardless of the presence or absence of the phagocytic inhibitor cytochalasin B. Furthermore, a preliminary report showed -labeled-neutrophils had an increased response to LPS [19], a bacterial lipopolysaccharide that activates biochemical reactions involved with phagocytosis. Whether phagocytosis completely explains the cell radiolabeling mechanism is debatable, because the percentage of -neutrophils in whole blood in vitro is similar when the incubation is performed either at room temperature [15] or 4°C [16] via different techniques. At the lower temperature particle internalization is inhibited, although cell surface attachment can occur [20–22]. Specific cell surface adherence is the favoured mechanism by some researchers [23]. The evidence in the literature when considered as a whole does, however, indicate that -tin fluoride colloid is surface bound to red and white cells in blood [15] and especially for the polymorphonuclear cells, this is a priority before any internalization.

Scintimun. -besilesomab can be prepared in high yield soon after reconstitution in a three-step process. The contents in the Solvent for Scintimun vial are dissolved when reconstituted in saline, and one-fifth of this reductant formulation is subsequently transferred into the Scintimun vial containing besilesomab powder. -pertechnetate is added to the dissolved besilesomab, the radiometal is reduced and then binds to the antibody. In the Scintimun vial besilesomab is present in a partially reduced form, with free sulfurhydryl groups in the hinge region that coordinate reduced . The oxidation state and the type of bond to antibody are unknown, but metal coordination may also involve oxygen and nitrogen atoms oriented favourably in the structure.

-HMPAO-Leukocytes. -HMPAO must be used within its 30-minute shelf-life, otherwise its gradual decomposition results in high levels of -pertechnetate and a hydrophilic -secondary complex. These impurities are not useful for labeling leukocytes. This method is different to the -tin fluoride colloid-leukocytes procedure because white blood cells are isolated in advance of their incubation with -HMPAO. This is achieved by adding a high molecular weight plasma volume expander (i.e., 2-hydroxyethyl starch, dextran 70, etc.) to a larger sample of anticoagulated whole blood and then the erythrocytes sediment over the next 30–45 minutes. The supernatant leukocyte rich plasma is removed from the erythrocytes layer and then centrifuged at low speed to sediment the white cell pellet. The pellet is isolated from the supernatant containing the sedimenting agent [24], resuspended in a small volume of saline, and then concentrated -HMPAO solution is mixed into the leukocyte suspension. Ten minutes of incubation at room temperature allows the radiotracer to bind with leukocytes, by diffusing through the amphipathic phospholipid membrane and then becoming trapped inside the cell. Retention of within a white cell is likely from either a glutathione-reduction of -HMPAO into the hydrophilic -secondary complex, and/or -HMPAO-binding to organelles/nondiffusible cytoplasmic proteins. Approximately 70–80% of the radioactivity is bound to granulocytes. If a higher -granulocyte population is required, then a gradient solution can be used during the centrifugation step to separate and enrich the granulocyte fraction.

¹¹¹In-Oxine-Leukocytes. ¹¹¹In-oxine labeling succeeds when leukocytes are separated from whole blood containing transferrin. Similar to the -HMPAO procedure above, the mixed leukocytes (or enriched granulocytes) pellet is resuspended in a small volume of saline and then buffered ¹¹¹In-oxine is added directly into the suspension. Ten minutes of incubation at room temperature allows the radiotracer to cross the white cell membrane, ¹¹¹In binds to the more avid-chelating cytoplasmic components (i.e., lactoferrin), and eventually free 8-hydroxyquinoline is released from the cell. Any unbound ¹¹¹In-oxine is removed by centrifugation, and the resuspended pellet becomes the patient dose in an expected yield of 50–80%.

¹⁸FDG. A cyclotron produces carrier-free ¹⁸F-fluoride (¹⁸F⁻) ions in water. Nucleophilic substitution is the chemical reaction that occurs between ¹⁸F⁻ and an analogue of 2-OH-mannose. From the cyclotron, aqueous ¹⁸F⁻ solution is pneumatically delivered inside the clean work zone of a hot cell, into a cassette module where the process reactions occur. Firstly, ¹⁸F⁻ is isolated from the aqueous solvent by trapping it on an ion-exchange column, and then it is eluted with acetonitrile solvent containing 2,2,2-cryptand and potassium carbonate. Solvent evaporation of the eluate gives a very reactive radiofluorination agent [(crypt-222)K]⁺. ¹⁸F⁻, the heterocyclic cyrtand has a strong affinity for potassium ions and results in more exposed fluoride anion electrons. The other reagent loaded into the cassette is the 2-triflated mannose; it contains the appropriate leaving group (triflyl rather than hydroxyl) for nucleophilic substitution with ¹⁸F⁻. After heating the triflated mannose with [(crypt-222)K]⁺. ¹⁸F⁻ in acetonitrile at ~85°C for 5 minutes, an intermediate tetra-O-acetylated-2-¹⁸FDG is yielded. The intermediate is loaded onto a C₁₈ cartridge, and then purified from unreacted ¹⁸F⁻ and cryptand impurities that are eluted off with solvents flowing to waste. The next eluent of hydroxide solution initiates an alkaline hydrolysis reaction to remove four acetyl groups, and the last elution with water extracts the crude glucose product. After adjusting the pH and osmolality of the eluate, purification of the formulation occurs through a second C₁₈ cartridge and then on an alumina-N cartridge before aseptic filtration (0.2 μm filter) into the final product container. The automated process to radiosynthesize ¹⁸FDG from ¹⁸F⁻ takes approximately 30–40 minutes. Some facilities autoclave the dispensed ¹⁸FDG product to avoid sterility testing each batch. Quality control testing occurs over the next ~2 hours after production, and before interim release for human use.

2.2.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Methodologies

⁶⁷Ga-citrate and ¹⁸FDG (supplied) can be used to withdraw patient doses from the stock vial on the day of receipt (Table 3). No blood cells are involved and therefore no bioburden is endured from potentially contaminated samples, although thicker lead shielding for minimizing the radiation burden makes it cumbersome for operators to handle the heavier items. ¹¹¹In-oxine is not administered to patients directly but is the necessary reagent to prepare ¹¹¹In-leukocytes. The lengthy procedure involves many steps where a needle stick injury could occur; the operator should be vigilant of the sample that might contain infectious pathogens. Another disadvantage using ¹¹¹In is that more shielding is required to minimize the radiation burden. -MDP is rapidly prepared after reconstitution, and it can be promptly administered to patients. In a regular radiopharmacy that prepare other -products, no special equipment is required for handling or minimising the radiation burden from -MDP, and no blood cells occlude any special precautions by the operator.

Table 3: Key parameters of radiolabeling methods.

Radiopharmaceutical
Radiosynthesis parameters
Potential burden to operator

Simple operation
Complex operation
Process time (hr)
±blood cells
Special equipment
Radiation*
Biological

99mTc-HMPAO
—
<0.5
−
—
Low
−

99mTc-MDP
—
<0.2
−
—
Low
−

99mTc-sulesomab
—
<0.2
−
—
Low
−

99mTc-albumin nanocolloid
—
0.5
−
—
Low
−

111In-oxine
—
0
−
—
Medium
−

67Ga-citrate
—
0
−
Thicker Pb pots
Medium
−

18FDG (supplied)
—
0
−
Thicker Pb pots/dispensing pig
High
−

—
99mTc-tin fluoride colloid
<0.9
−
rotation mixer
Low
−

—
99mTc-SnF₂ colloid-leukocytes
1
+
Rotation mixer, centrifuge
Low
+

—
99mTc-HMPAO-leukocytes
<1.5
+
Centrifuge
Low
+

—
111In-oxine-leukocytes
<1.5
+
Centrifuge
Medium
+

—
99mTc-besilesomab
<0.2
−
—
Low
−

—
18FDG (on-site)
~2.5
−
Cyclotron, hot cells, synthesis modules, (autoclave), etc
High
−

Broadly based on the energy of emissions and number of emissions: low = 99mTc; medium = ¹¹¹In, ⁶⁷Ga; high = ¹⁸F.

-HMPAO is prepared quickly, whereas the following cell labeling procedure takes ~2 hours. There is low radiation burden but a possible bioburden to prepare -HMPAO-leukocytes. -tin fluoride colloid preparation takes one hour and then leukocyte labeling adds another hour before the patient dose is ready, some special equipment is also required. -sulesomab, -besilesomab, and -albumin nanocolloid are easily prepared with no radiation burden, neither require blood cells as they are injected directly into the bloodstream, and therefore no bioburden is incurred by the operator. With formulations that contain allogeneic biological material, there is a possibility that a patient endures undesirable effects (i.e., bioburden such as HAMA, hypersensitivity, etc.), and for some clinics, synthetic tracers are preferred with or without autologous leukocytes. The lengthiest preparation of ~2.5 hours concerns ¹⁸FDG when the cyclotron is located on-site, thicker shielding minimizes a high radiation burden, and complex, expensive equipment or consumable items are necessary within a supporting infrastructure.

2.3. In Vivo Distribution & Uptake Mechanisms

2.3.1. Clinical Radiotracers

-MDP. Three hours after intravenous administration this -phosphonate is essentially located in the blood with 1–3% bound to plasma proteins, ≤59% is excreted in urine, and ~45% remains in the skeleton with a high bone-to-soft tissue ratio. The polymeric anionic structure governs the mechanism of uptake by binding to Ca(II) ions in calcium hydroxyapatite crystals comprising bone. Also, localisation occurs in the mineral phase of bone with low binding to the organic matrix. The integrity of radioactive bone uptake is altered in the region of interest when an infection or inflammation is present.

-Sulesomab. At one hour after infusion of -sulesomab there is 34% of radioactivity in the blood, it decreases to 17% at 4 hours and further to 7% at 24 hours. -sulesomab recognizes an antigenic structure on the surface of granulocytes, common to the glycoprotein NCA-90 and CEA. There is a higher affinity of the radiotracer for activated rather than resting granulocytes; the radiolabeling reaction in vivo may occur at the local inflammatory site rather than to circulating granulocytes [25]. The -sulesomab-labeled-granulocytes have the same biological activity as unlabeled-granulocytes, and these participate in the immune response at the osteomyelitic site. There is an accumulation of -sulesomab-granulocytes at the inflammation over the next one-to-eight hours as the tracer leaves the blood circulation. Nearly half (41%) of the injected radioactivity is detected in the urine at 24 hours, indicating the -sulesomab-granulocytes are eventually metabolized and renally excreted.

-Albumin Nanocolloid. After intravenous injection of radiocolloid particles into the bloodstream, they readily interact with complement proteins to become opsonized and provide a recognition signal for localized phagocytes. There is essentially quantitative uptake by the reticuloendothelial tissues such as the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, with little or no urine excretion after 30 minutes. The reticuloendothelial or mononuclear phagocyte system consists of primarily monocytes and macrophages that engulf radiocolloid upon presentation. The relative distribution between organs depends on radiocolloid size, where larger particles in the size range are retained by the liver and finer particles are enriched in bone marrow. In terms of an immune response to an inflammatory event, -albumin nanocolloid is delivered from the circulation to the endothelial cell barrier near the extravascular inflammation site; the tissue phagocytes concentrated at the site are initiated to move toward the barrier where the newcomer radioantigen is presumably engulfed as part of the retention mechanism.

⁶⁷Ga-Citrate. ⁶⁷Ga-citrate almost exclusively binds to transferrin in the circulation, a key protein that is responsible for transporting iron between cells and into cells. Transferrin is a β-globulin with a molecular weight of 77000, capable of binding two gallium ions simultaneously. Of its two forms, the level of iron-free structure apotransferrin usually exceeds the iron-bound-transferrin in a ratio of ~2 : 1. The normal concentration of apotransferrin in blood is in the order of 40 μM, and this level easily accounts for the number of ⁶⁷Ga-citrate molecules to achieve complete binding. Blood clearance occurs slowly, with 20% of the injected dose remaining in the blood at 24 hours, 10% at 48 hours, and 5% at 72 hours. The abdominal organs of liver, spleen, and kidneys retain ~10% of the initial injected radioactivity, plus ~3% in bone, and over the next few hours there is significant uptake in the bowel. After seven days ~26% of the injected dose has been excreted in urine and ~9% in stools. When there is high iron saturation, the lower level of apotransferrin results in less transchelation from ⁶⁷Ga-citrate, and hence more gallate ions. Under this condition, the biodistribution alters from soft tissue toward bone uptake, in conjunction with more rapid blood clearance and increased urine excretion. It has been postulated that the ⁶⁷Ga isotope binds to leukocytes that migrate to the inflammatory site, or to leukocytes already present at the site. The ⁶⁷Ga-transferrin interaction with leukocytes is not clearly understood but it has been suggested that the internalized ⁶⁷Ga(III) binds to cytoplasmic lactoferrin [5]. Neutrophils contain ample lactoferrin, and this is a common protein found in abscess fluid. When bacteria invade the inflammation site, other retention mechanisms may ensue where ⁶⁷Ga-transferrin provides isotope to more avid ligands such as ferritin or siderophores expressed by microbes.

¹⁸FDG. ¹⁸FDG is normally distributed to metabolically active organs such as the brain or heart, and also to smaller focal areas of soft tissue activated by an inflammation, pathogenic invasion, or cancer. This radiopharmaceutical was designed as a mimic of glucose, for uptake by active normal cells, inflammatory, or tumour cells with a high demand for sugars, entering into the glycolysis pathway. The structural difference between ¹⁸FDG and glucose is the presence of a C–F bond in the former molecule, that is not recognized by the hexokinase enzyme in step 1 of the glycolytic reaction sequence. In the first step glucose is phosphorylated at the 6-hydroxy position with hexokinase, then the product is converted in step 2 by ring contraction to fructose 6-phosphate with phosphoglucose isomerase. When ¹⁸F replaces the hydroxyl group at the 2-position on the glucose ring (i.e., ¹⁸FDG), step 1 proceeds but step 2 is prevented. The PET isotope subsequently becomes trapped and retained in cells, thereby allowing scintigraphic detection of local metabolism. The reasons for this may be attributed to intracellular enzymes unable to dock with ¹⁸FDG in the appropriate orientation to initiate step 2, or the C–F bond is not recognized and therefore left intact. It was shown that ¹⁸FDG is not phosphorylated by hexokinase (i.e., does not enter glycolysis) but is preferentially excreted rapidly from the body, a property resulting in nuclear images with very high target to background ratios [26]. In contrast, glucose participates in resorption from urine to plasma via an active transport process across the renal tubule, rather than its excretion. Resorption succeeds with glucose because it contains the prerequisite 2-hydroxyl group that initiates active transport [27], but fails with ¹⁸FDG that contains a different functional group at the 2-position.

-Tin Fluoride Colloid-Leukocytes. When -tin fluoride colloid-leukocytes in whole blood are injected back into the patient, high liver and spleen uptake ensues, in a whole body distribution that is almost identical to -tin fluoride colloid (i.e., typical of reticuloendothelial uptake). All of the radioactivity in the dose is associated with cells, and these -cells would be expected to give a different in vivo distribution compared to free radiocolloid. One explanation concerns the high percentage (>70%) of -tin fluoride colloid-erythrocytes in the ex vivo dose, they behave differently in vivo such that erythrocytes detach from the weakly-bound radiocolloid, allowing particles to deposit in these organs. Possible mechanisms of detachment include further opsonization from excess opsonins in the circulation, high shear at vessel walls during turbulent blood flow, or red cells distortion to permit transit through finer lung capillaries. There are nevertheless ~11% -neutrophils in a patient dose [16], delivered by blood flow near the inflammation/infection, that subsequently migrate to the extravascular site to participate in local activities.

-HMPAO-Leukocytes. After patient administration of -HMPAO-leukocytes, a low level of -HMPAO is released in vivo, resulting in undesirable accumulation of radioactivity in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. In a patient dose there are a higher number of -HMPAO-granulocytes than -tin-colloid-leukocytes, indicating more -HMPAO-cells are available to participate in the immune response.

¹¹¹In-Oxine-Leukocytes. ¹¹¹In-oxine-leukocytes are also prepared ex vivo using a leukocyte population isolated from whole blood free of transferrin. Once the radioactive cells are administered to patients, there is an exponential clearance from the blood with a half-life of 5–10 hours, resulting in a final uptake of 20% by the liver, 25% by the spleen, 30% by bone marrow, and 15% in other nontarget organs. There is very low excretion of ¹¹¹In activity in the urine or faeces. ¹¹¹In-leukocytes are viable and they engage in normal cell traffic around the body. As with -HMPAO-leukocytes, ¹¹¹In-labeled leukocytes or granulocytes are delivered to the infectious/inflammatory site for local participation.

-Besilesomab. Similar to -sulesomab, -besilesomab also recognizes the NCA-95 epitope on the granulocyte membrane and tumours expressing CEA. The Product Information Sheet states besilesomab has no effect on activation of complement, granulocyte function, or platelets, and the most commonly reported adverse reaction is developing HAMA in 14% of patients. Blood clearance follows a biphasic kinetic function, an early phase of 0–2 hours and a late phase of 5–24 hours. At 6 hours after injection (pi), 2% of the injected dose is in the liver with 3% in the spleen, the liver uptake is maintained for 24 hours yet spleen uptake decreases to 2%. Fourteen percent of radioactivity is excreted in the urine during 24 hours. -sulesomab radiolabels granulocytes and granulocyte precursors in vivo, possibly at the local inflammatory site where the immune response is emphasized.

2.4. Preclinical Radiotracers-Types, Radiolabeling Methods, and Biosistribution

Preclinical radiotracers are primarily radiochemicals that are evaluated on the bench and in animal models of infection or inflammation, although some clinical investigational agents have been tested in humans (i.e., -ciprofloxacin, -interleukin-8). These radiotracers are broadly categorized as either small synthetic molecules (<1000 MWT) or macromolecules (>1000 MWT) of biological origin and cells. The design of a radiotracer usually depends on the nonradioactive part of the structure to influence its distribution in vivo (Table 4)—the cold part is a known participant in an inflammatory step or it interacts with a pathogen directly. Synthetic radiotracers are small molecules that target upregulated antigens, proinflammatory molecules, or receptors at an inflammation, radioactive-antibiotics target microbes [28], and radiolabeled-biological-molecules target all of these or leukocytes at the lesion site (Table 5). The literature is abundant with reports surrounding their efficacy in small animals, necessary work before clinical application. The highly efficacious preclinical agents are promising because inflammatory reactions occurring in vivo can be imaged during the early phase when anatomical changes are not apparent, and this is a major advantage over other radiological imaging modalities. The main criteria for a useful diagnostic agent of infection/inflammation can be summarized as the: (i) radiotracer is prepared efficiently in a simple operation; (ii) focus can be visualized within a few hours after injection with a high target-to-background ratio; and (iii) radiotracer participates in cellular/biochemical pathways of the inflammatory response, without changing the response. Even if a preclinical radiotracer does not achieve clinical investigational status, the knowledge base is continuously growing with information that can potentially translate into new molecules or develop into new methodologies and strategies.

Table 4: Characteristics of selected radiotracers.

Radiotracer molecules
Dose formulation
Radiolabeling
Radiotracer purification method

Isotope
Isotope chelator
Cold moiety
Conditions
Efficiency

Synthetics

111In
DTPA
fMLFK
Sephadex G-10 eluent
RT/30 min
95%
RP-HPLC

99mTc
HYNIC
fMLFK
Sodium phosphate, saline, pH 8
RT/30–60 min
>96%
RP-HPLC

99mTc
HYNIC
MLF-OMe
Sodium phosphate, saline, pH 8
RT/30–60 min
>96%
RP-HPLC

68Ga
None
Citrate
Sodium citrate, pH 6-7
90°C/10 min
>98%
Anion exchange column

68Ga
None
TAFC
1.1 M sodium acetate, pH 6-7
RT/15 min
≥95%
—

68Ga
None
FOXE
1.1 M sodium acetate, pH 6-7
80°C/20 min
≥95%
—

111In
DTPA
LTB-4
(DPC11870-11)
Ammonium acetate, pH 5.5
RT/30 min
95%
RP-HPLC

99mTc
HYNIC
LTB-4 (MB88)
Tricine, isonicotinic acid, PBS, SnSO₄, pH 7
100°C/30 min
95%
RP-HPLC

18F
pFBA
LTB-4 (MB67)
Sodium acetate, PBS, pH 4–7
50°C/>30 min
65–85%
Evaporation, & N₂↑

Antibiotics

99mTc
None
Fluconazole
PYP, SnCl₂, KBH₄ in 0.1 M NaOH, saline, PBS, pH 7.5
RT/120 min
90%
—

99mTc
None
Ciprofloxacin
Sn(II) tartrate
RT/15 min
>40%
—

99mTc
None
Enrofloxacin
Ethanol : water [1 : 1]
60°C/10 min
81%
SepPak tC2 cartridge

99mTc
None
Pefloxacin
SnCl₂, pH 6
100°C/30 min
98%
—

99mTc
None
Ceftizoxime
Sodium dithionite, N₂↑
100°C/5 min
>90%
—

99mTc
None
Vancomycin
SnCl₂, pH 6-7
RT/10 min
99%
—

99mTc
None
Kanamycin
SnCl₂, pH 6-7
RT/25–30 min
99%
—

99mTc
None
Alafosfalin
SnCl₂, pH 6
RT/5–10 min
90–95%
—

99mTc
None
Phosphomycin
SnCl₂, pH 7
RT/<1 min
98%
—

99mTc
None
Cefoperazone
SnCl₂, pH 8
RT/10 min
98%
—

99mTc
None
Cefuroxime axetil
SnCl₂, pH 5
RT/15 min
92%
—

99mTc
[99mTc(CO)₅]
Novobiocin
Water
RT/30 min
99%
—

Biological origin

Cells:

18FDG
None
Leukocytes
Autologous LEuk, saline
37°C/30 min
79% ¹⁸F-gran.
Centrifugation

111In
Oxine
Dendritic cells
Allogeneic DC, saline
RT/60 min
94%
Centrifugation

111In
Oxine
Lymphocytes
Autologous LYM, lym poor plasma
37°C/10 min
77%
Centrifugation

Macromolecules

111In
DTPA
hpc-IgG
Citrate
RT/instant
>95%
Centrifugation

99mTc
None
hpc-IgG
Tartrate, SnCl₂
RT/20 min
90%
—

99mTc
HYNIC
hpc-IgG
Acetate, tricine, SnSO₄
RT/15 min
>95%
—

99mTc
None
Rat pc-IgG
MDP, SnCl₂, PBS, N₂
RT/20 min
≥94%
—

99mTc
None
HSA
Saline, SnCl₂, N₂, pH 2–7
RT/20 min
≥95%
—

99mTc
None
Infliximab
MDP, SnCl₂, PBS, N₂
RT/20 min
≥91%
—

99mTc
None
Fanolesomab
Maltose, tartrate, succinic acid, Sn(II) tartrate, glycine, EDTA, ascorbic acid, pH 6
37°C/30 min
≥90%
—

99mTc
HYNIC
E-selectin peptide
(IMP-178)
2-OH--cyclodextrin, Sncl₂, acetate, ascorbate
RT/10 min; 100°C/15 min
92%
—

123I
None
B2702-p
(75–84)
PBS, pH 7
RT/15 min
>80%
Anion exchange column

99mTc
[99mTc(CO)₅]
B2702-p
(+his-gly)
PBS, pH 7
100°C/15 min then 80°C/20 min
>90%
—

99mTc
HMPAO
PEG-liposomes
5% glucose
RT/15 min
70–80%
Size exclusion on PD-10 column

123I
None
hr-IL-1
0.5% BSA in PBS
RT/10 min
50–80%
Sephadex G-25 column/0.2 m filter

123I
None
hr-IL-1
0.25% gelatine in PBS
RT/10 min; ice/30 min
25–35%
Sephadex G-25 column/0.2 m filter

18F
[para-¹⁸F-fluoroethyl]
hr-IL-1ra
PBS
38°C/45 min
7–24%
HiTrap column/filter

99mTc
None
IL-18bp-Fc-IL-1ra
PBS, pH 7
RT/30 min
>75%
Sephadex G-25 column

99mTc
HYNIC
hr-IL-2
SnCl₂, tricine, nicotinic acid, pH 6-7
RT/<60 min
>99%
—

123I
None
hr-IL-2
5% glucose
RT/30 min
>96%
HPLC; 30°C/20 min/N₂

18F
pFBA
hr-IL-2
Saline, <10% ethanol
borate pH 8.5 : EtOH [1 : 1], 50°C/10 min
25–35%
RP-HPLC

99mTc
HYNIC
hr-IL-8
SnSO₄, tricine, nicotinic acid, 0.5% BSA in PBS, pH 7
70°C/30 min
>98%
—

99mTc
HYNIC
hr-IL-12
Stannous tartrate, tricine, pH 6-7
RT/30 min
75–85%
G-50 microspin column

99mTc
HYNIC
C5a
SnSO₄, tricine, 0.5% BSA in PBS
RT/30 min
>95%
Sephadex G-25 column/0.2 m filter

99mTc
C5adR

Smaller fragments:

99mTc
None
UBI-29-41
Sn(II) PYP, potassium borohydride, NaOH, pH 5-6
RT/60 min
95%
—

99mTc
HYNIC
UBI-29-41
SnCl₂, tricine, mannitol, pH 4
RT/>60 min
>96%
—

RT: room temperature; RP: reverse phase; HPLC: high pressure liquid chromatography; none: isotope is directly bound to the structure of the nonradioactive component; pFBA: para-¹⁸F-fluorobenzaldehydel; : heat; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; UBI: ubiquicidin; hpc: human polyclonal; IL: interleukin; hr: human recombinant; LT: leukotriene; DC: dendritic cells; LEuk: Leukocytes; LYM: Lymphocytes.

Table 5: Applications of selected radiotracers.

Radiotracer molecules
In vitro experiments
Type of model/animal
Human
use
Uptake mechanism in vivo
Application as a potential nuclear diagnostic agent

Infection
Inflammation

Synthetics

111In-fMLFK
fMLF BA, superoxide release by PMN
S. aureus/rats
−
?

−

99mTc-fMLFK
E. coli, S. aureus/rabbits
Zymosan/rabbit
?
Chemotactic peptide binds to PMN & monocytes
−

99mTc-MLF-OMe
?

−

68Ga-citrate
—
—
−
+
68Ga-transferrin forms in circulation, binds to lactoferrin in LEuK or ferritin/siderophores in pathogens
100% sensitivity, 76% specificity in bone infections

68Ga-TAFC & ⁶⁸Ga-FOXE
Fungal BA, in vivo binding
Aspergillus fumigatus/rats
−
−
Uptake by pathogens via Fe transporter system
A. fumigatus (fungus) specific

111In-LTB-4 (DPC11870-11)
Receptor BA
E. coli/rabbits
TNBS colitis/rabbit
?
LT INF mediator participates in lipoxygenase pathway & binds to PMN after migration from bone marrow to abscess
+

99mTc-LTB-4 (MB88) & ¹⁸F-LTB-4 (MB67)
—
−
?
+

Antibiotics

99mTc-fluconazole
Microbe/leukocyte BAs
C. albicans,  A. fumigatus/mice
−
?
↓ fungal cytochrome P450 enzyme 14-demethylase
Fungal specific

99mTc-ciprofloxacin
Bacteria BA
C. albicans, S. aureus/rats
Turpentine/rats
+
Binding bacterial DNA gyrase
94% sensitivity, 83% specificity in orthopedic infections

99mTc-enrofloxacin
?
+

99mTc-pefloxacin
—
S. aureus/rats
−
?
↓ type II topoisomerase DNA gyrase
+

99mTc-ceftizoxime
Antimicrobial assay
E. coli/rats
−
?
↓ peptidoglycan biosynthesis & binding to bacterial membrane
+

99mTc-vancomycin
—
S. aureus/rats
Turpentine/rats
?
↓ cell wall biosynthesis in gram +ve bacteria & binding to membrane
+

99mTc-kanamycin
Bacteria BA
S. aureus/rats, rabbits
−
?
↓ protein synthesis & binding to 30S subunit of prokaryotic ribosome
+

99mTc-alafosfalin
Bacteria BA
S. aureus/rats, mice
TNBS colitis/rats
−
↓ peptidoglycan biosynthesis
−

99mTc-phosphomycin
—
E. coli, S. aureus/mice
−
−
↓ bacterial cell wall biosynthesis & inactivating UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-3-enolpyruvyltransferase
−

99mTc-cefoperazone
—
S. aureus/rats
Turpentine/rats
?
↓ cell wall biosynthesis
+

99mTc-cefuroxime axetil
—
S. aureus/rats
Turpentine/rats
?
↓ cell wall biosynthesis & binding to essential target proteins
+

99mTc-novobiocin
—
S. aureus/rats
−
−
↓ bacterial DNA gyrase & targeting enzyme GyrB subunit
?

Biological origin

Cells:

18FDG-leukocytes
Radiolabeling & purification
P. aeruginosa, E. coli/rats
Turpentine/rats
+
Participates in INF response
84% accuracy, in suspected infection

111In-lymphocytes
—
+
+
Participates in INF, LYM graft trapping
Diagnosis of acute kidney-graft rejection

111In-dendritic cells
DC phenotype & viability
Allogenic antigens/sheep
−
Participates in INF response, DC traffic to local lymph nodes to interact with T-LYM
−

Macromolecules:

111In-DTPA-hpc-IgG
—
E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, C. albicans/rats
Turpentine/rats
+
VP, transchelation ¹¹¹In to extravascular proteins
100% sensitivity, 85% specificity chronic osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis, pulmonary INF

99mTc-HYNIC-hpc-IgG
Histopathology
S. aureus, P.
Turpentine/mice
+
VP, 99mTc binds to local tissue

Macromolecules:

99mTc-hpc-IgG
—
S. aureus/rats
−
+
VP, Fc receptor binding to local INF cells
Scintigraphic staging of IBD patients

99mTc-rat pc-IgG
−
−
Species specific marker

99mTc-HSA
—
E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, C. albicans/rats
Turpentine/rats
−
VP, no receptors for retention
Capillary permeation marker

99mTc-infliximab
TNF BAs
S. aureus/rats
−
+
Participating in granule release pathway, specific binding to ↑ h-TNF pro-INF cytokine
In patients with refractory monoarthritis, not IBD

99mTc-fanolesomab
—
—
−
+
Specific binding to 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine in CD15 antigens expressed by h-PMN & eosinophils
Withdrawn from market

99mTc-E-Selectin peptide (IMP-178)
BAs
—
Osteomyelitis, arthritis/rat
?
Specific binding to E-selectin (CD62E) expressed on endothelium, ↑ in RA
+

123I-B2702-p (75–84) & 99mTc-B2702-p (+his-gly)
Immunohistochemistry, autoradiography
—
Artherosclerotic plaques/rabbits
−
Specific binding to ↑ VCAM-1 expressed by vulnerable plaques
+

99mTc-PEG-liposomes
Histopathology
S. aureus, P. Aspergillus/rats
Turpentine/mice
+
“physiologic filtration” rather than phagocytosis
Side effects [100]

123I-hr-IL-1 & ¹²³I-hr-IL-1
EL-4 BA
S. aureus/mice, E. Coli/rabbits
−
?
Participating in granule release pathway, specific binding to IL-1 receptors expressed on LEUK
?

18F-hr-IL-1ra
—
Biodistribution/normal rats
−

+

99mTc-IL-18bp-Fc-IL-1ra
BAs
—
Ear edema/mice
?
Specific binding to IL-1 receptors expressed on PMN & IL-18
+

99mTc-HYNIC-IL-2
CD25 BA
—
−
+
Participating in granule release pathway, specific binding to IL-2 receptors (CD25) by tissue infiltrating LYM
100% sensitivity, inflamed atherosclerotic plaque,

123I-hr-IL-2
—
—
−
+
assess influx of mononuclear cells within gut wall in CD

18F-hr-IL-2
BA
Active T-LYM in Matrigel/immune-incompetent
SCID mice
?
Participating in granule release pathway & bindins to human activated T-LYM expressing CD25
Detect cell migration in autoimmune diseases, & graft rejection

99mTc-hr-IL-8
—
A. Fumigatus, lung infection/rabbits
−
+
Participating in granule release pathway, specific binding to IL-8 receptors (CXCR1, CXCR2) expressed by PMN
Early detection of infections/INFs

99mTc-HYNIC-IL-12
Receptor BA
—
Autoimmune colitis
?
Participating in granule release pathway, specific binding to IL-12 receptors on activated T or NK LYM
In vivo imaging of T-LYM in immune-mediated processes

99mTc-HYNIC-C5a & 99mTc-HYNIC-C5adR
Receptor BA
E. coli/rabbits
−
−
INF mediator in complement pathway binds to guanine nucleotide-binding inhibitory protein receptors
−

Smaller fragments:

99mTc-UBI-29-41
BA
Bacterial, C.  albicans/mice, rabbits
Saline, LPS, dead bacteria or C. albicans/mice
+
Antimicrobial peptide fragment that is trapped in the cell membrane of microorganisms
100% sensitivity, 80% specificity, infective foci in bone, soft tissue

99mTc-HYNIC-UBI-29-41
Bacteria BA
S. aureus/mice
−
+

PMN: polymorphonuclear neutrophils; LT: leukotriene; ?: no recent reports; h: human; DC: dendritic cells; pc: polyclonal; IL: interleukin; r: recombinant; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; CD: Crohn’s disease; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; TNBS: 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (to induce experimental colitis); INF: inflammatory; RA: rheumatoid arthritis; LEuK: leukocytes; VP: vascular permeability; LYM: lymphocytes; BA: binding assay; ↑: increases; ↓: inhibits.

2.4.1. Synthetic Molecules

N-Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine Chemotactic Peptides. Chemotactic peptides can bind isotopes such as and ¹¹¹In readily via a conjugator group such as DTPA or HYNIC, although isolation of the final product depends on a HPLC purification step that is less convenient than an instant cold kit. N-Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanyl-lysine (fMLFK) is a bacterial product known to initiate leukocyte chemotaxis by binding to high affinity receptors on the membrane of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and mononuclear phagocytes, cells that concentrate at an infectious/inflammatory site. The conjugator group is bonded to a derivatized lysine in the molecule, at a location in the structure that is distant from the biologically active moiety. Receptor binding studies with ¹¹¹In-DTPA-fMLFK showed this tracer exhibited high affinity for human PMNs and in high potency: 3 nM concentration produced 50% of a maximal response. In the same study that examined E. coli infected muscle in rats [29], the target to background ratio (T : B) of 3 peaked at 60 minutes pi. The HYNIC derivative -HYNIC-fMLFK was found to have a high affinity and potency for PMNs in vitro, contrary to the analogue HYNIC-fMLF-OMe—a control molecule in which HYNIC is attached to the terminal amino group of methionine [30]. The biodistribution data for -HYNIC-fMLFK in rabbits showed this tracer was retained in infected (S. aureus, E. coli) and inflamed (zymosan) thigh muscles with T : B ratios within a range of 3-4, yet superior to the T : B ratio of ~1 obtained with -HYNIC-fMLF-OMe at 4 hours pi. The authors concluded that -HYNIC-fMLFK was retained at the infectious or inflammatory site by means of a specific receptor binding mechanism, provided there is sufficient cellular infiltration. These potent radiolabeled-chemotactic peptides can induce transient granulocytopenia, and this undesirable side effect has subsequently impeded their clinical application.

⁶⁸Ga-Citrate. ⁶⁸Ga-citrate is easily prepared in >98% yield by reacting ⁶⁸GaCl₃ with citric acid. The positron-emitting starting material ⁶⁸GaCl₃ is eluted from a ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga-generator, the cation is trapped on an ion exchange column and then washed off in a bolus of citric acid buffer solution [31]. An expected mimic of ⁶⁷Ga-citrate, ⁶⁸Ga-citrate was more recently recruited for clinical investigation in patients with suspected osteomyelitis and discitis. The PET tracer resulted in good diagnostic images, with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 76%, and an overall accuracy of 90%; the authors suggested that ⁶⁸Ga-citrate should be compared with ¹⁸FDG for bone infection [32].

⁶⁸Ga-Siderophores. Iron is a vital element needed for many cellular processes and by almost all living organisms. Prokaryotes use special mechanisms to acquire ionic iron using their own siderophore molecules or they utilize siderophores released by other microorganisms [33]. Currently known types of siderophores include the catecholates, hydroxamates, and hydroxycarboxylates, which are specific for Fe(III). Ga(III) has similar chemistry to Fe(III), and this has been exploited in radiopharmaceutical chemistry to label molecules such as ferrioxamine (FOXE) and triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) with the ⁶⁸Ga isotope [34]. TAFC is a common siderophore of many fungal species, and FOXE is mainly produced by actinomycetes and other bacteria. Based on the evidence that such molecules are upregulated at an infectious site, and also scavenged by the microbe from its immediate environment, ⁶⁸Ga-TAFC and ⁶⁸Ga-FOXE were investigated with A. fumigatus in vitro [34], as well as in vivo using rodent models of lung infection (A. fumigatus, S. aureus) versus sterile inflammation (turpentine) [35]. In the earlier study [34], ⁶⁸Ga-TAFC and ⁶⁸Ga-FOXE were lowly protein-bound in human serum, both were rapidly taken up by A. fumigatus in iron deficient medium, and uptake could be blocked with excess ferri-siderophore in vitro. The biodistribution images for ⁶⁸Ga-TAFC and ⁶⁸Ga-FOXE in A. fumigatus-infected rat lung showed this tracer was retained in the organ with T : B ratios of 6 and 7, respectively, at ≤30 minutes pi (standard uptake values were ≤1). The authors concluded that further studies were required to distinguish the better of two radiotracers, that nevertheless showed high promise. The following work [35] showed the in vitro uptake of ⁶⁸Ga-TAFC and ⁶⁸Ga-FOXE differed between fungi, according to the presence or absence of iron in the medium. Mycobacterium smegmatis and three other types of bacteria did not bind either radiotracers ± iron present, except when ⁶⁸Ga-TAFC was incubated with S. aureus in an iron deficient medium. Both radiotracers showed rapid focal accumulation in A. fumigatus infected rat lungs; there was uptake at the turpentine inflammation site, but none by the S. aureus abscess in vivo. ⁶⁸Ga-siderophores activity at the sterile inflammation was attributed to nonspecific extravasation. The authors concluded that both radiotracers had potential application for imaging invasive aspergillosis, ⁶⁸Ga-TAFC had higher specificity for A. fumigatus in vitro whereas ⁶⁸Ga-FOXE gave slightly superior PET images in the pilot evaluations, in advance of the intended clinical studies.

Leukotriene Agonists. Leukotriene (LT) B4 or 5,12-dihydroxyeicosa-6,8,10,14-tetraenoic acid is produced by leukocytes in response to inflammatory mediators, a molecule synthesized from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. LTB4 is a secondary chemoattractant secreted early in the inflammatory process, and a signal-relay molecule that regulates neutrophil chemotaxis to formyl peptides [36] which are released at the core sites of inflammation. It also stimulates leukocyte vascular adhesion, transendothelial migration, and the release of lysosomal enzymes [37]. Recently the radiolabeled LTB4 antagonist ¹¹¹In-DPC11870 was prepared and evaluated for binding to white blood cells in vitro, and in vivo in rabbits with an E. coli thigh muscle infection. Ninety-five percent of the radiotracer was found to be cell associated; there was high uptake in the abscess on the images as well as bone marrow uptake. The results showed ¹¹¹In-DPC11870 accumulated at infectious foci because of LTB4 receptors expressed on activated hematopoietic cells that subsequently migrated from the marrow to the infection site [38]. A popular animal model of experimental colitis uses 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in ethanol, a chemical that insults the colonic mucosa after rectal instillation. ¹¹¹In-DPC11870 was used in rabbits with a TNBS-colitis, the inflamed lesion was clearly delineated even 1 hour after injection, a T : B ratio of ~12 was determined at 6 hours pi, and the images were better than those obtained from ¹⁸FDG and -granulocytes [39]. The same researchers also looked at radiolabeling the LT agonist with other isotopes such as via the HYNIC conjugator [40], and ¹⁸F via [¹⁸F]-p-trimethylammoniumbenzaldehyde triflate (FB) [41]. -HYNIC-MB88 showed much less bone marrow uptake than ¹¹¹In-DPC11870, attributed to the HYNIC moiety in the structure, and it gave a T : B ratio of 15 at 8 hours pi. The product ¹⁸F-FB-HYNIC-MB67 was synthesized in moderate radiochemical yield, by formation of a hydrazone bond between the aldehyde group in ¹⁸F-FB and an amino group in HYNIC (-MB67). Even though this PET radiotracer was prepared with low specific activity, a T : B ratio of ~22 was achieved at 4 hours pi in rabbits with an E. coli muscle infection; good images were acquired early at 2 hours pi and these only improved with time.

2.4.2. Antibiotics

An emerging area of research involves radiolabeled antibiotics, mainly because the cold antibiotic has a known microbial action, and some are commercially available as prescription medicines. has been the primary isotope so far for radiolabeling quinolones, cephalosporins, phosphopeptides, glycopeptide, aminoglycoside, aminocoumarin, and an antifungal triazole. The -antibiotics in Table 4 are prepared easily in a cold kit format and predominantly within 30 minutes. The more versatile stannous salts are commonly used as reductants, although potassium borohydride and sodium dithionite are also important. An interesting reagent tricarbonyl- was used to efficiently label novobiocin, conveniently prepared by heating -pertechnetate in an IsoLink vial containing potassium boranocarbonate (Mallinckrodt Medical) at 100°C for 20 minutes. For any antibiotic molecule, the absence of a conjugating group in the structure means the isotope coordinates directly to available donor atoms, and the radiometal can interfere with the expected pharmacological action. An extra purification step is a practical disadvantage but necessary to remove unwanted impurities when the radiolabeling efficiency is low, as per example of enrofloxacin. Once the -antibiotic is in vivo, the magnitude of a target to background ratio is influenced by the binding affinity of the radiotracer to the bacterial surface or intracellular components, as well as the level of cold antibiotic in the dose. An excess of cold antibiotic makes the radiotracer less efficacious because there is competitive binding, or the pathogen is killed at the infectious site. For example, -kanamycin was highly bound to bacteria in vitro, particularly when very low kanamycin was present in the dose. Furthermore, it is important in any study of a new radiotracer to compare it with a permeation capillary marker or other marker in the same animal model, to confirm whether a retention mechanism rather than just blood flow occurs at the infectious site.

Quinolones. Antimicrobial quinolones were introduced into clinical practice in the early 1960s, commencing with naladixic acid. This new class of antibiotics were chemically synthesized for the first time in a laboratory procedure that superseded the regular laborious method of isolating molecules from mould and fungi. Ciprofloxacin was the first antibiotic to be crudely radiolabeled with in the presence of formamidinesulfinic acid reductant at 100°C for 10 minutes, to give >40% product [42]. This radiolabeling procedure was later improved. In vitro binding studies of -ciprofloxacin (Infecton) with S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli found 58%, 50%, and 44% binding, respectively. The mechanism of action of this molecule and other antibiotic quinolones involves their interaction with bacterial DNA gyrase (a type II topoisomerase) that prevents DNA uncoiling and subsequent DNA synthesis. In a preclinical study involving rats with sterile and infectious intramuscular lesions, -ciprofloxacin and -enrofloxacin showed peak uptake after 1 hour pi in S. aureus and C. albicans focal sites, followed by a decrease over the next 4 hours [43]. Both radiotracers showed low binding (~5%) to bacteria, irrespective if the bacteria were dead or alive, and there was no influence of excess cold antibiotic in the dose. Neither tracer could discriminate between infection and sterile inflammation. A clinical study of 51 patients with chronic orthopaedic infections found Infecton to be useful for detecting infectious foci in bones and joints, in which the authors proposed that this radiotracer had advantages over -HMPAO-leukocyte scintigraphy [44]. The biodistribution data for -pefloxacin showed that this tracer was retained in S. aureus infected thigh muscle of rats, with a peak T : B ratio of 5 and it was superior to that obtained with Infecton [45]. Other noted quinolones recently investigated as antibiotic radiotracers are -difloxacin in S. aureus infected rats [45], -sitafloxacin in S. aureus infected rats [46], -sparfloxacin in S. aureus infected rats [47], -lomefloxacin and -ofloxacin in S. aureus infected rats [48], and -moxifloxacin in E. coli infected rabbits [49].

Cephalosporins. Cephalosporin compounds were first isolated in cultures of Cephalosporium acremonium obtained from a Sardinian sewer in 1948. Since then, there have been four generations of these pharmaceuticals employed in the clinic. The cephalosporins are β-lactam antibiotics that function against bacteria by disrupting the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer and hence the structural integrity of a cell wall. Penicillin-binding proteins bind to a D-Ala-D-Ala sequence at the end of muropeptides (peptidoglycan precursors), to crosslink the peptidoglycan during a final transpeptidation step of its synthesis. Beta-lactam antibiotics competitively bind to the D-Ala-D-Ala site, thereby interfering with the crosslinking step. Unlike ceftizoxime and cefoperazone, cefuroxime axetil is a semisynthetic cephalosporin, a prodrug which owes its in vivo bactericidal activity to the release of the active compound cefuroxime (Table 4). The -labeling procedure for all three antibiotics was easily achieved with efficient conversion. In separate antimicrobial activity experiments, -ceftizoxime was compared to ceftizoxime by measuring the inhibition halo on cultured plates. The authors found antibiotic activity was preserved; they also noted a difference of 10% less activity when the radiometal was bound [50], despite the -ceftizoxime dose containing ceftizoxime. A low T : B ratio of 2 was maintained over 1–6 hours in E. coli infected rat muscle in the same study. -cefoperazone was examined in S. aureus infected thigh muscles of rats; it yielded a peak T : B ratio of ~5 at 45 minutes and a gradual decline thereafter [51], versus a ratio of 2.5 at 4 hours pi by -cefuroxime axetil in the same model [52]. Unfortunately none of these studies included a comparison of their radiotracer to a blood flow marker, bacterial-binding assays were not always conducted, and therefore an in vivo retention mechanism remains unproven. More recently the radiolabeled cephalosporin -ceftriaxone has also been investigated in S. aureus infected mice with mixed success [53].

Phosphopeptides. Phosphomycin was discovered in 1969 in soil bacteria cultures of Streptomyces fradiae, and then two years later it was manufactured on a large scale in Spain. It is now produced by chemical synthetic methods. Phosphomycin enters the bacterial cell through the glycerophosphate transporter and then inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. It directly inhibits UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-3-enolpyruvyl-transferase by alkylating an active cysteine residue that would otherwise catalyze phosphoenol-pyruvate binding to UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, in a key step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. This pyruvate moiety provides a linker that bridges the glycan and peptide portion of peptidoglycan comprising the cell wall. Alafosfalin or (S)-alanyl-1-aminoethylphosphonic acid is broad spectrum antibiotic that selectively inhibits cell wall synthesis in both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This dipeptide antibiotic is actively transported intracellularly by stereospecific permeases, an amide hydrolysis reaction by aminopeptidase then affords L-1-aminoethylphosphonic acid which in turn inhibits alanine racemase. Alanine racemase is a key enzyme required to synthesize peptidoglycans that comprise prokaryote cell walls. The -labeling procedure for both antibiotics was easily and efficiently achieved using stannous ions. In S. aureus infected mouse muscle, -phosphomycin gave T : B ratios of 3-4 during 1–24 hours, compared to the blood flow marker -DTPA that gave T : B ratios of 2–5 during the same time period [54]. The same study of E. coli in mouse model gave -phosphomycin T : B ratios of 3-4 during 1–24 hours, but no bacterial binding assay was performed to prove the retention mechanism. This radiotracer was limited by lower T : B ratios than ⁶⁷Ga-citrate and resulted in diffuse rather than focal uptake at the infectious lesion site. For -alafosfalin, ≤10% was bound to S. aureus in vitro and higher binding was achieved when the amount of alafosfalin in the dose was lower. This relationship did not apply to -DTPA that uniformly resulted in 1% bacterial binding [55]. In S. aureus infected rat muscle, -alafosfalin gave a T : B ratio of 3 at 1 hour that increased to 4 at 4 hours, compared to -DTPA with T : B ratios of 3 at 1 hour and then 2 at 4 hours, or -stannous colloid-rat leukocytes with T : B ratios of 12 at 1 hour and then 20 at 4 hours. Similar results were observed when -alafosfalin was examined in S. aureus infected mouse muscle, yielding T : B ratios of 3 at 1 hour and then 4 at 4 hours versus ⁶⁷Ga-citrate with T : B ratios of 2 and then 4 at the same time points, respectively [56]. -alafosfalin was comparable to ⁶⁷Ga-citrate but inferior to -stannous colloid-leukocytes for imaging a focal infection in rodents. The authors suggested that this radiotracer may be useful for imaging abdominal and soft tissue infection because of its low uptake after 1 hour pi. -alafosfalin was also investigated in rats with TNBS-colitis, it yielded T : B ratios of 3 at 1 hour then 4 at 4 hours, versus -DTPA with T : B ratios of 2 then 1 at the same time points respectively [57] (Figure 2). The quick cold kit preparation had practical advantages over conventional cell labeling methods.

(a)

(b)

Figure 2: Four-hour whole body images of rats with a TNBS-colitis, injected with (a) -alafosfalin (annotated line represents the descending colon plus increased uptake ◂ in distal colon) and (b) -DTPA.

A Glycopeptide, Aminoglycoside, Aminocoumarin, and an Antifungal Triazole. Vancomycin is used as a prophylactic antibiotic to treat infections caused by gram positive bacteria. The diagnostic value of -vancomycin was investigated in S. aureus infected rat muscle, giving a T : B ratio of 5 at 1 hour pi, and a T : B ratio of 1 in turpentine inflamed rat muscle at 1 hour [58]. When the results were taken together, the ratio of 1 from inflamed muscle indicated that bacteria must be present at the site for -vancomycin uptake. Kanamycin is an antibiotic molecule that is taken up intracellularly and then interacts with the 30 S subunit of prokaryotic ribosomes. It induces substantial amounts of mistranslation and indirectly inhibits translocation during protein synthesis. -kanamycin was found to have 40–50% binding to S. aureus in vitro versus 10% binding of -DTPA to the same microbe. The level of kanamycin in the radioactive dose was 2–50 μg [59]. Biodistribution in rats and rabbits achieved maximal T : B ratios ranging over 2-3, that were maintained over 4–24 hours. Novobiocin and other aminocoumarins are inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase by binding to the enzyme GyrB subunit. More potent than fluoroquinolones, aminocoumarins competitively inhibit the ATPase reaction catalysed by GyrB for energy transduction. The dithiocarbamate derivative of novobiocin was radiolabeled with [(CO₃)(H₂O)₃]⁺ in high yield without the need to purify the final product. -novobiocin distribution in S. aureus infected rat muscle achieved a maximal T : B ratio of 8 at 90 minutes, it subsequently decreased, yet in a sterile inflammation the T : B ratio was ≤1 for up to 120 minutes, indicating radiotracer specificity for bacteria [60]. These results concurred with observations made by the authors in the same study that employed rabbits with intramuscular S. aureus infections.

Fluconazole is a pharmaceutical used to treat fungal infections of C. Albicans or A. Fumigatus, that can result in patients following anticancer therapy, organ transplantation or AIDS. The -analogue was investigated in a rodent model to distinguish fungal from bacterial infection, and infection from sterile inflammation [61]. In vitro binding studies found that -fluconazole preferentially bound to C. Albicans (38%) over A. fumigatus (18%), or human leukocytes (12%), K. pneumoniae (6%), and S. aureus (3%). Further evaluation in infected mouse muscle gave T : B ratios over 1–4 hours, as 3-4 for active C. albicans and <1 for dead C. albicans. In neutropenic mice, the T : B ratios in thigh muscle over 1–4 hours were 1-2, for A. fumigatus and sterile inflammation. The authors also reported this radiotracer was capable of distinguishing a fungal infection from a bacterial infection or inflammation, and it was particularly suited for the C. albicans fungus.

2.4.3. Molecules of Biological Origin

White Blood Cells. There is an incentive to replace ¹¹¹In or in the radiotracer structure with a β ⁺-emitting isotope because of potentially higher image resolution and faster diagnoses, and this idea has led to the preparation of ¹⁸FDG-leukocytes. The ¹⁸FDG-labeling efficiency of autologous leukocytes is dependent upon the concentration of glucose in the reaction medium; higher yields are obtained when extracellular glucose is lower, and 80% of radiogranulocytes are viable for up to 4 hours in platelet poor plasma [62]. ¹⁸FDG-leukocytes were examined in rat muscle that was infected (P. aeruginosa, E. coli) or inflamed (turpentine) [63]. The more important finding was the higher uptake by thigh muscle infections over normal muscle, clearly visible on the images. The T : B ratios were twice higher than ¹⁸FDG, and these findings allowed the authors to conclude that the release of ¹⁸FDG from ¹⁸FDG-leukocytes at the lesion focus did not fully explain the observed uptake. Clinical investigations with ¹⁸FDG-leukocytes have suggested that this radiotracer is comparable to ¹¹¹In-leukocytes for patients with suspected infection in terms of diagnostic accuracy, but possibly not for patients with suspected osteomyelitis [64]. Two drawbacks with ¹⁸FDG-leukocytes are the rapid loss of ¹⁸FDG label from white cells in vivo, and the short half-life of ¹⁸F-isotope prevents delayed imaging that may consequently also reduce its specificity [65].

Other white cells of the immune system such as dendritic cells and lymphocytes have also been radiolabeled, with the aim to further understand cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying infectious diseases, or inflammation such as organ allograft rejection. Radiolabeling of dendritic cells was more successful with ¹¹¹In-oxine (36%) than -HMPAO (17%), and even after their purification the ¹¹¹In-dendritic cells were viable and stable in contrast to -HMPAO-dendritic cells [66]. This sheep study showed that the subcutaneous injection of naïve ¹¹¹In-dendritic cells resulted in 10% uptake in the supraclavicular lymph nodes after 48 hours (Figure 3). These results support the hypothesis that dendritic cells do traffic to local lymph nodes for the purpose of encountering resident T lymphocytes there, before chemotactic recruitment of circulating leukocytes to the antigen source. Autologous lymphocytes were also radiolabeled with ¹¹¹In-oxine; the ¹¹¹In-lymphocytes were administered to kidney-graft patients to diagnose acute organ graft rejection [67]. When acute graft rejection was present, it was visible on the images that the graft : contralateral iliac fossa ratio increased; whereas the spleen : graft ratio decreased. An improvement after the rejection crisis occurred, parallel to the graft : contralateral iliac fossa ratio. The authors concluded that ¹¹¹In-lymphocytes may be useful in the diagnosis of acute kidney graft rejection.

Figure 3: Anterior static images of a sheep taken at 24, 48, and 144 hours after a subcutaneously injected dose (id) of ¹¹¹In-dendritic cells in the neck and migration to the nearest lymph node (◂).

Figure 4: An annotated diagram of IgG depicting the antigen binding sites and isotope binding sites.

Macromolecules

Immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins (Ig) or antibodies (Figure 4) are large Y-shaped proteins produced by B-cells for the purpose of identifying and neutralizing antigens as part of host immunity. In placental mammals, the five known antibody isotypes are IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. IgA has a dimeric structure, and of the two subtypes IgA1 is found in serum, whereas IgA2 is predominantly found in secretions and secretory lymphoid tissues. IgD and IgE are both monomers, each with one subtype. IgG is an abundant immunoglobulin found in blood and extracellular fluid; it has a monomer structure, and there are four subtypes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. These subtypes differ by their binding affinities to the Fc receptor on phagocytic cells and the extent of activating the complement system. Other IgG functions include mediated binding of pathogens to achieve immobilization and agglutination; coating of pathogen surfaces or opsonization, for recognition and ingestion by phagocytic cells; binding and neutralizing toxins; and mediated proteolysis by binding intracellular TRIM21 receptor and directing marked virions to the proteasome in the cytosol. The largest antibody in the circulation is the pentameric IgM, predominantly produced in the spleen as one subtype, and it is the first antibody to appear after sudden exposure to an antigen. Almost all radiolabeled-antibody laboratory experiments have utilized cloned IgGs, and when the four subtypes comprise the raw material it is described as polyclonal (pc) IgG. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) is derived from one cell line. Usually a new radiolabeled-antibody is examined in rodent model of infection/inflammation, with comparison to either a “gold standard” agent (i.e., ⁶⁷Ga-citrate or ¹¹¹In-leukocytes), control molecules such as a nonspecific similar-sized antibody, or a nonspecific protein that is solely a blood flow marker (i.e., -HSA).

When pcIgG is reacted with DTPA-anhydride, one amino group on the immunoglobulin forms a covalent bond per DTPA molecule beyond the antigen binding sites, making it available to coordinate with a radiometal such as ¹¹¹In(III). No reductant is required to achieve a radiolabeling efficiency of >95% ¹¹¹In-DTPA-IgG when 2-3 DTPA conjugating groups are attached per IgG molecule [68]. In a study of rats with S. aureus muscle infections, ¹¹In-DTPA-IgG(¹⁴C) showed peak uptake in the abscess with a T : B ratio of 10 after 2 hours pi, followed by a gradual decrease to 9 at 6 hours pi and then 6 at 24 hours pi, respectively [43]. This dual isotope tracer was used to demonstrate a partial dissociation of ¹¹¹In (but not ¹⁴C) from the molecule at the abscess as well as in other tissues. Possible explanations offered by the authors included proteolysis in the interstitial fluid space at the inflammation site, and transchelation to local transferrin or other endogenous molecules. -(human)IgG was examined against a control antibody ¹²⁵I-TNT-1, -HSA, and ⁶⁷Ga-citrate in mice with an infection (S. aureus) or an inflammation (turpentine) [69]. Results for the infection model showed T : B ratios at 4 hours pi of 4 (-hIgG), 4 (¹²⁵I-TNT-1), 4 (-HSA), and 5 (⁶⁷Ga-citrate), and for the inflammation model T : B ratios at the same time point were 3-4 for all radiotracers. The authors used autoradiographic data to support a conclusion that the radioactive proteins enter into the interstitial space due to increased capillary permeability, however there was little elaboration about any retention mechanism. Increased blood flow to the inflammatory site explained some of the early radioactive uptake, and only if the radiotracer was bound to resident immune elements could it be visible as accumulated uptake in the delayed scans. A hIgG cold kit formulation was commercially available for many years, for direct labeling to the immunoglobulin with . Direct labeling of the antibody can be achieved after modifying the hinge area of the structure, by reducing disulfide bonds into free thiol groups to coordinate radiometal (Figure 4). Usually a stannous salt of MDP, tartrate, and so forth facilitates -pertechnetate reduction. The efficacy of -hIgG as the control molecule versus -rat(r)-IgG in a rat model of S. aureus muscle infection was previously examined [70]. Even though -rIgG was prepared from allogeneic immunoglobulin, the results for this radiotracer showed a T : B ratio of 13 at 4 hours pi, superior to -hIgG ratio of 8 at the same time point, and uptake was clearly visible on the whole body images (Figure 5). The authors suggested the Fc portion of hIgG contained a different glycosylation pattern (oligosaccharides with N-acetyl neuraminic acid) than rIgG (oligosaccharides mixed with N-acetyl neuraminic acid and N-glycolylneuraminic acid), and this difference affected the binding specificity to Fcγ receptors on monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils residing at the infectious site, favouring “endogenous” rIgG. -hIgG was examined in a small clinical investigation against ¹¹¹In-granulocytes for the localization of inflammatory bowel disease [71], but it was found to be unsuitable for identifying diseased intestinal segments because of low target to background activity, in contrast to ¹¹¹In-granulocytes that were deemed more suitable.

(a)

(b)

Figure 5: Whole body images of rats with S. aureus infections (◂) in left thigh at 4 hours pi with (a) -hIgG and (b) -rIgG.

When 3-succinimidyl-6-hydrazinonicotinate (succ-HYNIC) is reacted with one amino group on the immunoglobulin a covalent amide bond is formed on the 3-nicotinyl position (Figure 4) at the expense of a succinyl group. The HYNIC conjugating group is located beyond the antigen binding site areas, and conditions can be varied to increase the number of HYNIC groups. HYNIC-modified-IgG is purified by size exclusion chromatography before the next step of -chelation to hydrazine groups. -HYNIC-hIgG is prepared in high yield using either stannous chloride, Mg²⁺, and EDTA [72], or stannous sulphate and tricine [73]. -HYNIC-hIgG examined in mice with turpentine-inflamed muscle resulted in a T : B ratio of 6 after 6 hours pi, and the ratio in granulocytopenic rats with S. aureus muscle infections was 18 after 24 hours pi. When the rats were subjected to an A. fumigatus lung infection, there was >7x greater uptake of -HYNIC-hIgG than ⁶⁷Ga-citrate at the lesion site. -HYNIC-hIgG was compared to ¹¹¹In-DTPA-IgG in a clinical study of 39 patients with suspected infectious or inflammatory disease [74]. Both radiotracers were equally sensitive (100%) and specific (85%) for detecting of joint prosthesis infection, bone infection, soft tissue/hip infection, spondylodiscitis, fever of unknown origin, or pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Monoclonal Antibodies. The methodology to directly label monoclonal antibodies is the same with any immunoglobulin structure, in which the radiometal is exclusively coordinated to the hinge area. The modified hinge area is sufficiently distant from the VH/VL sites in the immunoglobulin, allowing free interaction with the antigen it was designed for. This was shown for -infliximab, a chimeric mAb [75 : 25, human : mouse] specific for TNFα [70]. In this study reduced-infliximab retained its specificity for the human antigen, and after its reconstitution as a cold kit formulation, -infliximab was also specific. Neither of these immunoglobulin molecules could bind rat TNFα. Nevertheless, in a rat model of S. aureus muscle infection -infliximab gave a T : B ratio of 7 at 4 hours pi versus a ratio of 8 with -(human)pc-IgG, indicating an immunological binding mechanism at the lesion site that excludes TNFα binding. This radiotracer was inferior to -leukocytes when examined in a rat model of experimental TNBS-colitis, yielding a T : B ratio of 3 at 4 hours pi (Figure 6) versus the -cells ratio of 41 at the same time point [75]. At the clinical level, -infliximab was investigated against -HMPAO-leukocytes in 10 patients with active Crohn’s disease [76]. The authors found that there was comparatively lower bowel uptake and concluded the low TNFα concentration at the active site suggested the mechanism of action of a nonradioactive therapeutic dose required more investigation. More recently this diagnostic agent was examined in patients with refractory monoarthritis for therapy decision-making [77]. There was significantly higher uptake seen on the images of joints at 6 hours pi before therapy, compared to posttherapy. The authors concluded this radiotracer could be a useful tool to predict clinical response to intra-articular infliximab treatments.

Figure 6: Four-hour -infliximab distribution in a rat with TNBS-colitis: (a) whole body image (annotated line represents the descending colon, with increased uptake ◂ in distal colon); (b) resected intestine after TNBS exposure (distal inflammation); and (c) radiotracer distribution in the same resected specimen (R = rectum).

NeutroSpec or kit for the preparation of -fanolesomab, was an FDA-approved product for clinical use in 2004 but it was later withdrawn from the market in 2005 because of a fatal event and a life-threatening cardiopulmonary event [78]. Fanolesomab is a murine IgM monoclonal antibody directed against 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine, a carbohydrate moiety comprising the CD15 antigen that is expressed by PMNs, eosinophils, and monocytes. -fanolesomab was indicated for scintigraphic imaging of patients with equivocal signs and symptoms of appendicitis, by targeting upregulated CD15 antigen at the inflammatory site. The kit formulation that achieved successful labeling contained fanolesomab, maltose, stannous tartrate, succinic acid, glycine, and EDTA. After -pertechnetate addition, the reaction vial required heating at 37°C for 30 minutes, and then ascorbic acid solution was finally added to yield ≥90% product. At 35–65 minutes pi of -fanolesomab, radioactivity was associated with neutrophils (14–50%) and lymphocytes (~10%) in circulating blood [79]. Neutrophils bound with fanolesomab still retained their adherence and phagocytic functions to S. aureus or E. coli, as well as their chemotactic ability [79]. In a trial of 49 patients with equivocal appendicitis, the images revealed the inflammation site in all cases with 100% sensitivity, ~80% specificity and a T : B ratio of 2 at 36–40 minutes pi [80]. Since its availability to nuclear imaging clinics, -fanolesomab was used in 11000 patients, two of those patients with underlying cardiopulmonary conditions died, although the relationship with NeutroSpec was not resolved at that time [79].

A review of the mAbs literature has revealed there is a more recent emphasis towards commercializing humanized and human mAbs over chimeras or those of murine origin, possibly due to the history of product withdrawals from the market (Table 6). Unfortunately a high proportion of radiolabeled-mAbs were also withdrawn from the market, the major reason was compromised patient safety [81, 82], and to a lesser extent product quality such as problems with raw materials in the product formulation. In the 1980s mAbs were described as “magic bullets” or highly specific vectors for targeting antigens, with promised widespread medical applications. Particularly for diagnostic nuclear medicine, the “magic bullets” have not yet been fully realized. In terms of advancing radiopharmaceuticals however, researchers are directed toward designing molecules that are smaller than immunoglobulins, by incorporating a risk management approach to avoid potential safety and quality problems during preclinical/clinical investigations [83]. The literature is abundant with examples of such radiotracers; some are described below and include proteins, signalling molecules, or peptide fragments that directly participate in immunological pathways.

Table 6: Status of monoclonal antibodies in 2009 [147].

mAb species origin
Number of mAb products (fraction)

Of total
In marketa
Withdrawn
from market
In preclinical or
clinical trials
Radiolabeled mAbsb

In
Withdrawn

Murine
36/242
7/36
8/36
21/36
3/7
7/8

Chimericc
24/242
11/24
0/24
13/24
0/11
0/0

Humanizedd
127/242
12/127
1/127
114/127
0/12
1/1

Human
55/242
2/55
2/55
51/55
0/2
1/2

Achieved market authorization and commercially available; bdiagnostic and therapy radioisotopes; cstructure contains one species other than human; dstructure contains variable chains not human.

E-Selectin, V-CAM, and Other Proteins. E-selectin (or CD62E) is a 95 kDa glycoprotein and an adhesion molecule expressed on activated endothelium; its upregulation near the inflammation site occurs with cytokines such as interleukin-1β and TNFα. This molecule binds to receptors on neutrophils, monocytes, T lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. E-selectin mediates the rolling action of these cells along the endothelial surface and also activates other steps in the adhesion process, in a strategy for their migration toward the inflammation site. Peptides with a high affinity for E-selectin have been characterized, including E-selectin-binding peptide (ESbp) that was labeled with [84]. HYNIC was used as the conjugate group to prepare (HYNIC)₂-ESbp, by its reaction with lysine amine groups within the 16 amino acid backbone structure. When the reaction conditions employed a 10 : 1 excess of HYNIC over a long incubation period, the resulting molecule became biologically inactive (control-ESbp). ELISA assays were used to confirm the high, specific binding of -(HYNIC)₂-ESbp (but not control-ESbp) to E-selectin. The authors used an adjuvant-induced rat model of arthritis, by administering a subcutaneous tail injection of Mycobacterium butyricum, and assessing the condition by measuring the diameters of ankles some weeks later. At 11, 14, and 24 days, -(HYNIC)₂-ESbp images at 8 hours pi showed a focus of counts in the right ankle, and ROI analyses gave 38%, 65%, and 34% uptake, respectively. The control-ESbp in the arthritis model gave no ankle uptake, and -(HYNIC)₂-ESbp in a normal rat also gave no uptake. These results demonstrated that activated endothelium could be targeted with -(HYNIC)₂-ESbp. In another study, the analogue -IMP-178 was investigated for its potential to image pyogenic osteomyelitis in the rat [85]. The highest uptake of the radiotracer in pyogenic bone occurred at 60 minutes pi. The organ assay results yielded a T : B ratio of 2 versus the nonspecific control molecule -IMP-100 that also gave a ratio of 2 at the same time. The authors attributed the -IMP-178 uptake in acute osteomyelitic lesions to the interaction with activated vascular endothelium.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1 or CD106) is a protein encoded by the VCAM1 gene in humans. The VCAM-1 gene contains six or seven immunoglobulin domains, and is expressed on both large and small blood vessels only after the endothelial cells are stimulated by cytokines. Upregulation of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells results from increased gene transcription in response to TNFα/interleukin-1 activity, and through stabilization of mRNA via interleukin-4 activity. VCAM-1 expression can be sustained for 24 hours. The VCAM-1 protein is primarily an endothelial ligand for VLA-4 of the β1 subfamily of integrins and integrin α4β7, although it has also been found in other cell types such as smooth muscle cells. The VCAM-1 protein mediates the adhesion of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils to vascular endothelium. It also functions in leukocyte-endothelial cell signal transduction, suggesting that it may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Human leukocyte antigen- (HLA-) derived peptides B2702-p and B2702-rp were found to have a high binding affinity for VCAM-1 and they induced immunomodulatory effects in vivo [86]. B2702-p and B2702-rp are fragments of the MHC-I molecule B2702, comprised of residues 75–84 and the repeated sequence 84–75/75–84, respectively. Both fragments were ¹²⁵I-labeled in >95% efficiency using chloramine-T, and then examined in normal rabbits versus hyperlipidemic rabbits as a model of artherosclerotic plaques [87]. The authors found mean aortic uptake of ¹²⁵I-B2702-p and ¹²⁵I-B2702-rp was >2x-fold higher in hyperlipidemic rabbits than control rabbits at 30 minutes pi; however the high lung uptake and hepatobiliary excretion of ¹²⁵I-B2702-rp gave way to the preferred ¹²⁵I-B2702-p that was excreted via the kidneys. In the same study other isotopes were used to label B2702-p for animal imaging: ¹²³I-B2702-p was prepared using the chloramine-T iodination method with 80–90% efficiency, and -B2702-p was prepared using the (OH₂)₃(CO)₃ ISOLINK method with >90% efficiency in which the conjugate group linked onto a histidine in the structure. Hyperlipidemic rabbit images showed 2-3x-fold increased aortic uptake of both radiotracers at 3 hours pi versus the control rabbits. The presence of atherosclerotic lesions was confirmed with Sudan IV and autoradiography; the authors concluded that radiolabeled-B2702-p has potential for imaging VCAM-1 in atherosclerosis. More recently the tetrameric-peptide ¹⁸F-4V was prepared using the fluorobenzaldehyde method [88], it was shown to have high specificity for soluble VCAM-1 in vitro; in mouse models of myocardial infarction and heart transplantation it gave T : B ratios of 3 and 2, respectively, at 60–120 minutes pi. The authors also used a mouse model of atherosclerosis in the same study, the highly resolved PET images for each model allowed normal tissue to be clearly distinguished from atherosclerotic lesions, the infarct and the heterotopic allograft, in which VCAM-1 expression was increased.

Translocator protein (TSPO) molecule is an 18 kDa protein receptor mainly found on the outer mitochondrial membrane of hemopoietic and lymphatic cells and in other tissues. TSPO binds with high affinity to cholesterol and transports it across the mitochondrial membrane where it is used in steroid synthesis, and has other functions in the iron-transporter system, apoptosis, or immunomodulation after injury. TSPOs have broad actions on immune cells including modulation of oxidative bursts by neutrophils and macrophages, inhibiting macrophage secretion of cytokines, and inhibiting lymphoid cells proliferation. The TSPO binding ligand ¹⁸F-FEDAC was investigated in rat model of lung injury (a tracheal insult with LPS) [89]. The authors found TSPO expression was elevated in the inflamed lung section and this correlated to the radiotracer uptake as well as the severity of inflammation. Another PET analogue ¹¹C-PK11195 was examined in a clinical trial of 32 patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenoses, for imaging intraplaque inflammation [90]. From the images T : B ratios of 0.9 for asymptomatic plaques and 1.1 for symptomatic plaques were determined, and there was significant correlation between the uptake ratios and autoradiographic derived % specific binding. The authors could feasibly distinguish between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques, the detection technique had a moderate sensitivity (78%) and specificity (74%). ¹¹C-PK11195 has also been evaluated as a neuroinflammation agent [91], its potential clinical use in determining early onset arthritis activity [92] and in vivo imaging of patients with early rheumatoid synovitis [93]. Despite its limitations with quantitative analyses, renewed attention was shown to ¹⁸F-DPA-714 for imaging rheumatoid arthritis, a molecule that was earlier examined in models of acute neuroinflammation, breast cancer, and glioma [94]. ¹⁸F-DPA-714 is a radioactive analogue of the TSPO overexpressed by macrophages; it was recently examined by French researchers in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis employing inactive Mycobacterium tuberculosis [94]. The severity of the disease in the joints was evaluated from a combination of clinical symptoms, scintigraphy, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Peak inflammation after 20 days was visible in the swollen ankles, an observation correlating with higher radiotracer uptake and a T : B ratio of 3 (inflamed rats versus normal rats), enhanced TSPO expression in the hind paws, and radioactivity mainly associated with the infiltrated macrophage cells. These authors suggested ¹⁸F-DPA-714 may be useful to determine the disease activity during its early stages, with high potential in the clinic for imaging peripheral inflammation. The same research group also found ¹⁸F-DPA-714 was suitable for studying IBD in two rat models (dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) = global colonic inflammation, TNBS = local acute inflammation) [95]. Eight days after the inflammation was initiated, from the 60 min dynamic images were derived T : B ratios of 3 (DSS) and 3 (TNBS) that were not significantly different to ¹⁸FDG (at 7 days). The PET signal was correlated with increased TSPO expression at the cellular level, and it was stated that the ¹⁸F-DPA-714 probe could evaluate the level and localization of a colonic inflammation.

Liposomes. A liposome is a unilamellar vesicle composed of one lipid bilayer of amphipathic molecules enclosing an aqueous compartment. The aqueous compartment can be used to encapsulate an active drug, and the outer surface layer is modified (i.e., polyethylene glycol coated) to reduce immunogenicity or antigenicity. These “stealth” liposomes have strongly reduced uptake by the mononuclear phagocyte system and prolonged uptake in circulating blood. Liposomes are particles with diameters in the broad range of 50–250 nm [96], and these have been employed in diagnostic imaging modalities such as MRI (membrane-attached gadolinium ions), nuclear medicine (membrane-attached , ¹¹¹In, or ¹⁸⁶Re), CT (membrane-attached iodinated contrast agents), and sonography (encapsulated carbon dioxide) [97]. HYNIC-liposomes were prepared using a PEG 2000 derivative of distearoyl phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (dSPEA), partially hydrogenated egg-phosphtidylcholine, cholesterol, and the HYNIC-derivative of dSPEA [98]. Particles were measured as 80–85 nm diameter and these were -labeled with >95% efficiency in the presence of tricine, stannous ions, and -pertechnetate at room temperature. In a rat cecal ligation and puncture model that creates an abdominal abscess, -HYNIC-PEG-liposomes were evaluated against -HYNIC-hIgG and ⁶⁷Ga-citrate [98]. -HYNIC-PEG-liposomes clearly showed the abscesses on the images at 2 hours pi (versus 4 hours for the other radiotracers), but only -HYNIC-PEG-liposomes and ⁶⁷Ga-citrate correlated well with the extent of inflammation by histological evidence. After 24 hours pi, the percentage of the injected dose at the infection site was 3% -HYNIC-PEG-liposomes, 2% -HYNIC-hIgG, and 2% ⁶⁷Ga-citrate. The authors favoured radioliposomes because of early visualization of the abscess and better correlation with the disease severity. The same group investigated -HYNIC-PEG-liposomes versus -HMPAO-PEG-liposomes in a rat model of S. aureus muscle infection [99]. -HMPAO-PEG-liposomes were prepared in 70–80% efficiency, and the unbound -HMPAO was removed using a size exclusion column in an extra purification step. At 2, 8, and 24 hours pi, the respective T : B ratios were (i) 14, 26, and 43 for -HYNIC-PEG-liposomes and (ii) 12, 19, and 37 for -HMPAO-PEG-liposomes. The latter radiotracer showed less in vivo stability and more nontarget organ uptake, in contrast to the authors’ preferred HYNIC-conjugated liposome formulation. Further investigation of -labeled liposomes in a clinical study of patients with Crohn’s disease found a moderate relationship between radiotracer uptake and the disease activity index, but it was prematurely terminated because of unacceptable side effects such as dyspnea and facial erythema in 3 of 9 patients [100]. A review of the literature has revealed a number of liposome formulations exist that encapsulate pharmaceuticals for treating cancer (i.e., doxorubicin, lurtotecan) or fungal infections (i.e., amphotericin B) [97]. Commercially available amphotericin formulations Abelcet and AmBisome have considerable information under “undesirable effects/adverse reactions” in their accompanying Product Information Sheets [101, 102], perhaps coinciding with a renewed interest by regulatory agencies toward the registration of liposome-containing products [103, 104]. In terms of radioliposomes for diagnostic imaging, the research activities currently belong in the preclinical domain [105, 106].

Interleukins. Interleukins (IL) are a group of cytokines mainly synthesized by helper CD4 T lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Cytokines are secreted proteins and/or signalling molecules that promote the development and differentiation of T, B, and hematopoietic cells, as well as support the immune system function. At least 40 different interleukins have already been identified so far, and for this chapter only the radiolabeled interleukins-1, -2, -8 and -12 are described because of their relevance in detecting infection/inflammation.

Interleukin-1. The IL-1 family is associated with acute and chronic inflammation, and it plays a typically proinflammatory role in the nonspecific innate response to infection. The subtype IL-1α is synthesized intracellularly by primary cells (i.e., keratinocytes, thymic epithelium, hepatocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells of mucous membranes); the unprocessed precursor and processed protein are released after cell death when both actively bind to the IL-1R receptor, or for monocytes and B-lymphocytes, membrane-bound-IL-1α is also active [107]. At an inflammatory site, necrotic cells release IL-1α precursor which binds to the IL-1R receptor on nearby tissue macrophages and epithelial cells. This event initiates a proinflammatory response when a sudden influx of recruited neutrophils and then monocytes access the site. Radioiodinated (¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, and ¹²³I) IL-1α was prepared via the iodogen method and then examined in a mouse model of S. aureus muscle infection against the nonspecific control protein ¹³¹I-myoglobin [108]. ¹²³I-IL-1α resulted in maximal uptake in the abscess after 12 hours, a much higher value than ¹³¹I-myoglobin. The T : B ratios at 48 hours pi were 44 for ¹²³I-IL-1α and 6 for ¹³¹I-myoglobin. The authors stated that a specific retention mechanism occurred at the focal infection, from a presumed interaction between ¹²³I-IL-1α and IL-1R on local leukocytes.

The subtype IL-1β is also synthesized intracellularly by monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, B-lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes. The inactive precursor molecule is converted into the active cytokine with the cysteine protease caspase-1 that also requires activation with ASC, NRLP3, or other trigger molecules, by noncaspases such as proteinase 3, elastase, matrix metalloprotease 9, or granzyme A extracellularly, and by autophagy [107]. At an inflammatory site, IL-1β enhances T-cell activation and recognition of the antigen, by acting in conjunction with other interleukins to develop or differentiate T- helper 17 cells that subsequently release IFNγ and prostaglandins amid the leukocyte milieu. IL-1ra is a receptor antagonist protein that binds with high affinity to IL-1R, IL-1α, and IL-1β causing inhibition and consequently IL-1 signalling is reduced in the inflammatory cascade. The potent inhibitory effect of IL-1ra was investigated for treating the autoinflammatory diseases Muckle-Wells and gout [109]. ¹²³I-IL-1β was prepared via the Bolton-Hunter method (25–35% efficiency), and then the purified radiotracer was examined in rabbits with E. coli muscle infections against ¹²³I-IL-1α, ¹²³I-IL-1ra, and ¹²³I-fMLFK [110]. The receptor binding affinity for the radioiodinated molecules was preserved, 50–75% in the presence of excess cell receptors. All four agents localized in the infectious foci from 4 hours pi onwards, the T : B ratio of ¹²³I-IL-1β peaked at 8 hours pi, and at 20 hours pi the T : B ratios were 7 for ¹²³I-IL-1β, 4 for ¹²³I-IL-1α, 4 for ¹²³I-IL-1ra, and 3 for ¹²³I-fMLFK. Unfortunately side effects such as hypotension and headache were observed during a clinical trial, due to the biological activity of IL-1 even at very low doses of 10 ng/kg, and this precluded further application of radiolabeled IL-1 [111]. The authors initially favoured ¹²³I-IL-1β because of its higher uptake early, plus a higher T : B ratio than the other radiotracers, but they also noted ¹²³I-IL-1ra may be important in human studies because it promised fewer side effects. IL-1ra was also radiolabeled with ¹⁸F-fluoroacetaldehyde [112], however it has only been investigated in normal rats thus far [113]. More recently, a particularly interesting dual-domain cytokine containing IL-1ra and IL-18 binding protein was labeled with for specific inflammation targeting [114]. Interleukin-18 is another proinflammatory cytokine that induces production of TNFα and IL-1β in mononuclear cells. IL-18 bp is a secreted extracellular protein that acts as a decoy receptor; it binds and then deactivates IL-18. Large scale bioengineering techniques were used to prepare the dual-derivatized Fc fragment IL-18 bp-Fc-IL-1ra. Reduction of disulfide bonds in the Fc fragment gave the thiolated IL-18 bp-Fc-IL-ra, which in the presence of , stannous ions and glucohepatonate gave -IL-18 bp-Fc-IL-1ra in >95% yield. Competitive binding studies showed specific targeting of this radiotracer to rat PMNs. A mouse ear edema model was used to show comparable uptake of -IL-18 bp-Fc-IL-1ra to ¹¹¹In-neutrophils at the lesion site, the T : B ratio of -IL-18 bp-Fc-IL-1ra was 9 at 3 hours pi (or 4 when excess unlabeled IL-18 bp-Fc-IL-1ra was administered 30 minutes earlier). The authors concluded that this radiotracer had potential for detecting inflammatory sites.

Interleukin-2. IL-2 or T-cell growth factor is an α-helical protein of 15 kDa produced by antigen-activated T cells that can promote T-cell-dependent immune responses. IL-2 binds on target cell membrane with high affinity to a receptor consisting of the three subunits IL-2Rα (or CD25), IL-2Rβ (or CD122), and IL-2Rγ (or CD132). IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγ are important for intracellular signal transmission, and IL-2 binding to IL-2Rα mediates IL-2Rβ activity [115]. IL-2R α, β, and γ are expressed by CD4+ regulatory T cells or recently antigen-activated T cells, and IL-2R β and γ are prominent on memory CD8+ T cells and NK cells. In response to a pathogen, there is modulated IL-2R signalling and expression of IL-2/IL-2R that results in clonal expansion of T cells and then differentiation into effector T cells. After the pathogen is cleared, there is a contraction phase in which most of the T cells undergo apoptosis, and the few survivors persist as memory T cells for long-term protection of the host against the same pathogen [116]. -HYNIC-IL-2 was prepared in high yield using recombinant human IL-2 [117], a stable agent in human serum at 37°C for 6 hours, and capable of stimulating cell proliferation in vitro [118]. A positron emitting derivative N-(4-¹⁸F-fluorobenzoyl)-IL-2 was prepared in ~30% yield; this radiotracer was stable in plasma and also capable of stimulating T cells [119]. In this work the authors examined ¹⁸F-FB-IL-2 in immunodepressed mice that received a xenograft (Matrigel), in which there was migration of active T lymphocytes to the inflamed xenograft periphery because of ¹⁸F-activity visible on the 30 minute images. They concluded that this PET radiotracer could be useful in detecting activated lymphocytes in pathological conditions such as autoimmune diseases and graft rejection. -HYNIC-IL-2 was used to image atherosclerotic plaques in end-stage renal disease patients (ESRD) [120]; 91% of cases showed plaque uptake on the images and a T : B ratio of 2 in 0.8 mm plaques ±calcification at 1 hour pi. The authors supported -HYNIC-IL-2 as a potential diagnostic agent for inflamed and vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques within the common carotid artery in ESRD patients. ¹²³I-IL-2 was prepared in the presence of lactoperoxidase/glucoperoxidase in PBS and after 30 minutes, the HPLC-purified radiotracer was examined in patients with active Crohn’s disease versus healthy volunteers [121]. Intestinal uptake was higher in the active Crohn’s patients and this result positively correlated with the disease activity index. The same authors used autoradiography to confirm there was specific binding of ¹²⁵I-IL-2 to IL-2R positive mononuclear cells infiltrating the gut wall (obtained from surgical specimens).

Interleukin-8. IL-8 or CXCL8 is a 72 amino acid protein of 8 kDa produced by leukocytes, an important molecule for innate immunity because of its effects on neutrophil chemotaxis and activation [122]. The inactive precursor protein (99 amino acids) is synthesized intracellularly, followed by a cleavage reaction at the N-terminus to produce a 77-amino-acid protein in fibroblasts and endothelial cells, or a 72-amino-acid protein in leukocyte cells. The 77-amino-acid isoform is secreted from nonimmune cells and then cleaved into the active 72-amino-acid CXCL8 protein. CXCL8 exists in monomer or dimer forms that are both capable of activating and regulating its two cell surface receptors [122]. It is a proinflammatory chemokine belonging to one of two main types with the acronym CXC rather than CC (or two minor types C and CX₃C). The structural moiety of CXC is characterized as two N-terminal cysteines separated by one amino acid; for CC there are two N-terminal cysteines adjacent to each other [123]. CXCL8 mediates its effects via binding to 2 heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2, found on neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, basophils, T-lymphocytes, and endothelial cells. When CXCR1 and CXCR2 are expressed, a cascade of signalling follows, as local cells adapt to the stressed or inflamed environment. -HYNIC-IL-8 has been extensively investigated in the preclinical domain for scintigraphic detection of infection and inflammation. In rabbits with intramuscular E. coli abscesses, -HYNIC-IL-8 resulted in a T : B ratio of 127 at 8 hours pi versus the control molecule -HYNIC-lysozyme with a ratio of 7 at the same time point [124]. The authors also noted a mild transient drop of leukocyte counts. In rabbits with TNBS-induced colitis, -HYNIC-IL-8 resulted in a T : B ratio of 18 at 4 hours pi versus -HMPAO-granulocytes with a ratio of 4 at the same time [125]. With an increasing severity of the colonic insult as normal, inflamed, and ulcerated, the respective T : B ratios at 4 hours were 4, 13, and 26 for -HYNIC-IL-8 and 1, 3, and 6 for -HMPAO-granulocytes. A rabbit model of acute pyogenic osteomyelitis (sodium morrhuate and S. aureus were inserted into the medullary cavity of the right femur) was employed to examine -HYNIC-IL-8 against ¹¹¹In-gramulocytes, ⁶⁷Ga-citrate, and -MDP [126]. In this model the T : B ratios at 4 hours pi were 6 for -HYNIC-IL-8, 1 for ¹¹¹In-granulocytes, 2 for -MDP, and 1 for ⁶⁷Ga-citrate. The superior T : B ratio for -HYNIC-IL-8 over the other radiotracers at that time was due to a faster clearance and therefore lower background activity. This study supports the hypothesis that -HYNIC-IL-8 predominantly binds with circulating neutrophils that ultimately migrate into the inflamed tissue and extravasate at the abscess. The same research group examined -HYNIC-IL-8 as a pulmonary infection agent in three rabbit models, with immunocompromised animals exposed to A. fumigatus, S. pneumonia, and E. coli [127]. The T : B ratios of -HYNIC-IL-8 at 6 hours pi were 3 for the aspergillosis model, 3 for the S. pneumoniae model, and 4 for the E. coli model. It was surmised that this radiotracer showed excellent visualization of a pulmonary infection from all three models simulating immunocompromised conditions. A more recent clinical investigation of -HYNIC-IL-8 was reported in 20x patients with suspected infections (9x suspected joint prosthesis infections, 8x osteomyelitis, 1x liver abscess, 2x soft-tissue infections) [128]. -HYNIC-IL-8 localized the infection in 10/12 patients at 4 hours pi, presenting 2x false negatives (1x vertebral osteomyelitis, 1x infected knee prosthesis), and 8/8 patients with noninfectious disorders gave no radiotracer uptake. No side effects were exhibited by patients in the study, the high efficacy was coupled with early imaging, and the authors suggested -HYNIC-IL-8 was a promising new tool for detecting infections. Another noted radiotracer includes the CXCR2-specific chemokine -HYNIC-NAP-2 (neutrophil activating peptide-2) that was investigated in a rabbit model of intramuscular E. coli infection, and it yielded a T : B ratio of 80 at 6 hours pi [129].

Interleukin-12. IL-12 is a 70 kDa cytokine composed of four α-helices, but it is described as a heterodimer because of two similar subunits (IL-12p35, IL-12p40) covalently linked in the structure [130]. Each subunit is expressed from different chromosomes. IL-12p40 is produced predominantly by activated monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. IL-12p40 has been shown to act as a chemoattractant for macrophages and promotes the migration of stimulated dendritic cells. The p40 subunit is associated with several pathogenic inflammatory responses such as silicosis, graft rejection, and asthma, but it is also found to be protective in a mycobacterial infection model [131]. IL-12 is important in bridging early nonspecific innate resistance and the subsequent antigen-specific adaptive immunity. IL-12 activity is mediated via binding to a membrane receptor complex composed of two subunits IL-12R β1 and IL-12R β2. IL-12R β1 binds with high affinity the IL-12p40 subunit; an activation of Janus kinases leads to the phosphorylation of the receptor which becomes a docking site for STAT4 proteins, and then bound protein is phosphorylated by Janus kinases. IL-12R β2 recognizes either the heterodimer IL-12 or the IL-12p35 subunit and is expressed at low levels after T-cell receptor stimulation. Expression of this receptor subunit is critically influenced by IL-12 and interferon-γ [131]. -HYNIC-IL-12 was prepared in 75–85% efficiency and then required a purification step before further use. The radiotracer was assayed to have high specific binding to KIT225 cells that express the IL-12 receptor, and an examination in mice with TNBS-induced colitis resulted in a significant accumulation at the inflamed site versus negligible colon uptake in normal mice [132].

Smaller Molecules. C5a is a 74-amino-acid peptide with a four-helix core structure that participates in the complement cascade in innate immunity. This peptide binds to two receptors C5a1 and C5a2 typically expressed by neutrophils, macrophages, and cells of myeloid origin [133]. C5a induces smooth muscle contraction, increases vascular permeability, and induces expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells [134]. The C5a receptor is expressed on PMNs, it has been characterized using ¹²⁵I-C5a [135], and there was 40% binding of -HYNIC-C5a to it on granulocytes via an in vitro assay [136]. -HYNIC-C5a and its natural metabolite -HYNIC-C5adR were examined in rabbits with E. coli muscle infections, resulting in T : B ratios of 76 and 14, respectively, at 5 hours pi [136]. The authors found the less potent C5adR analogue to be inadequate for infection/inflammation imaging, while the very potent C5a analogue was also unsuitable at the clinical level because of its risky side effects [134].

Human neutrophil peptide- (HNP-) 1 belongs to the family of defensins that kill bacteria by electrostatic interference at the cell membrane, thereby causing increased permeability [137]. HNP-1 is stored in the granules of human neutrophils and it contributes to killing bacteria during phagocytosis. -HNP-1 was radiolabeled directly, and then evaluated in mice with muscle infections (S. aureus, K. pneumoniae) against -IgG [137]. At 1 hour pi for S. aureus and K. pneumoniae models, respectively, -HNP-1 gave T : B ratios of 2 and 2, versus -IgG ratios of 2 and 1. Over the next three hours the T : B ratios for the -HNP-1 decreased, in contrast to those that increased for immunoglobulin. The same researchers compared the -HNP-1 against antimicrobial peptide -UBI 29–41 (plus other ubiquicidin fragments) in mice with muscle infections (S. aureus, K. pneumoniae). At 60 minutes pi -UBI 29–41 in S. aureus and K. pneumoniae gave T : B ratios of 2 and 2, respectively, it was preferred by the authors over -HNP-1 because of easier preparation and lack of immunological effects [138]. In the same study -UBI 29–41 gave a T : B ratio of 1 in a LPS-induced inflammation in mice, evidence of the radiotracer specifically binding to bacteria at an infectious site. -UBI 29–41 was also examined in mouse models of thigh muscle infections (S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, C. albicans) or LPS-induced inflammation to yield T : B ratios of 4, 2, 3, or 1, respectively, at 2 hours pi, further supporting preferential binding to microbes rather than inflammatory cells at the lesion site [139]. The authors also showed that -ciprofloxacin does not significantly distinguish between infection and inflammation in their rodent models. Direct labeling with was suggested to occur via Tc(V)=O coordinated with lysine and arginine [140]; however, the original researchers pursued an instant kit version using HYNIC-UBI 29–41 and stannous chloride starting materials [141]. -HYNIC-UBI 29–41 was prepared in >96% yield without the need of a purification step; it was stable for 24 hours and had 40% binding affinity to multidrug-resistant S. aureus in vitro. In the same study, this radiotracer gave a T : B ratio of 2 (versus 3 for -UBI 29–41) at 60 minutes pi in S. aureus infected mouse thigh muscle. -HYNIC-UBI 29–41 was renally excreted faster than -UBI 29–41. In a small clinical trial of 18 patients with suspected bone, soft tissue or prosthesis infections, -UBI 29–41 gave mean T : B ratios of 3 at 30 minutes then 2 at 120 minutes pi [142]. The diagnostic value was rated as 100% sensitivity, 80% specificity, and 94% accuracy, and no adverse effects were noted up to 4 days later. The authors concluded that -UBI 29–41 was a promising infection imaging agent, with optimal visualization at 30 minutes pi.

2.4.4. Summary

In summary, the medical and scientific literature provides ample evidence of researchers driving their activities toward designing smaller radiotracer molecules with higher specificity for cells or other endogenous molecules, rather than large macromolecules that can have undesirable side effects. Peptides generally have better extraction from the circulation and higher uptake at the target site than macromolecules, but they can also invoke adverse reactions [143], even with a potency below the nanomole level [144, 145]: important precautionary information for any scientist undertaking radiotracer design. Nuclear medicine clinics are still awaiting the optimal scintigraphic imaging agents capable of discriminating between an infection and inflammation, and between fungal and bacterial infections [134, 143, 146]. The techniques to prepare radiotracers are becoming more efficient and involve simpler operations, although the PET radiotracers that promise better images are still in their infancy. Even if a radiotracer does not succeed as a clinical investigational agent, the experimental journey nevertheless creates knowledge and a better understanding of the immune response to an infection or inflammatory event.

Conflict of Interests

The author declares that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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