Radiofármacos são compostos radioativos que podem ser usados tanto para diagnóstico como para terapia. O radiofármaco 99m-Tc-MIBI é a formação de um complexo contendo o radionúclideo Tecnécium-99m e seis moléculas de Sestamibi, usado principalmente para cintilografias do miocárdio, sendo o procedimento mais realizado dentro da medicina nuclear, por consequência, o radiofármaco mais comercializado. Já o radiofármaco 99m-Tc-DTPA é composto também pelo mesmo radioisótopo e por uma molécula de ácido pentético, a qual tem característica de um quelante com afinidade pelos rins, por isso, é possível fazer avaliação do sistema renal. Como os radiofármacos são considerados medicamentos, estão sujeitos às mesmas normativas, logo o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver metodologia de doseamento destes insumos ativos antes da complexação com o radionuclídeo através da metodologia de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Dois métodos simples e eficientes foram desenvolvidos e validados para o MIBI em produto acabado e para a matéria-prima ácido pentético (DTPA), utilizando-se misturas de solvente orgânico e tampão. Os parâmetros de validação foram avaliados, obtendo resultados satisfatórios. Um teste de estabilidade para o radiofármaco MIBI em solução foi realizado e o resultado indicou uma preservação das características de aproximadamente 60 dias, e quando liofilizado de mais de 12 meses. Sendo assim, os métodos propostos foram considerados adequados para utilização na rotina da indústria farmacêutica. Como perspectivas, novas condições serão testadas para obter método de quantificação para o radiofármaco 99m-Tc-DTPA em produto acabado. / Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive compounds that can be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Technetium (99mTc) sestamibi is a radiopharmaceutical including a coordination complex consisting of the radioisotope technetium-99m bound to six Sestamibi ligands, which is mainly used to image the myocardium via scintigraphy. This is the most common nuclear medicine procedure, making Technetium (99mTc) sestamibi the most commercialized radiopharmaceutical. Technetium (99mTC)-DTPA in turn is composed by the same radioisotope plus a molecule of Pentetic Acid, which, by its chelating properties, is used to scan renal system. As radiopharmaceuticals are regarded as drugs, they are subject to the same regulations; therefore, the objective of this study is to develop quantification methodology for these both active pharmaceutical ingredients before their complexation with the radioisotope by employing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology. Two simple, efficient methods were developed and validated for Sestamibi at its final form as well as for DTPA's raw material by using buffer and organic solvent mixtures. The validation parameters were evaluated with satisfactory results. A stability test was carried out for Sestamibi, indicating the preservation of characteristics for nearly 60 days, and for over 12 months when at its freezedryed form. The proposed methods were thus considered adequate for pharmaceutical industries. As perspectives, new conditions shall be tested to obtain a quantification method for Technetium (99mTC)-DTPA at its final form.

Radiofármacos são compostos radioativos que podem ser usados tanto para diagnóstico como para terapia. O radiofármaco 99m-Tc-MIBI é a formação de um complexo contendo o radionúclideo Tecnécium-99m e seis moléculas de Sestamibi, usado principalmente para cintilografias do miocárdio, sendo o procedimento mais realizado dentro da medicina nuclear, por consequência, o radiofármaco mais comercializado. Já o radiofármaco 99m-Tc-DTPA é composto também pelo mesmo radioisótopo e por uma molécula de ácido pentético, a qual tem característica de um quelante com afinidade pelos rins, por isso, é possível fazer avaliação do sistema renal. Como os radiofármacos são considerados medicamentos, estão sujeitos às mesmas normativas, logo o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver metodologia de doseamento destes insumos ativos antes da complexação com o radionuclídeo através da metodologia de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Dois métodos simples e eficientes foram desenvolvidos e validados para o MIBI em produto acabado e para a matéria-prima ácido pentético (DTPA), utilizando-se misturas de solvente orgânico e tampão. Os parâmetros de validação foram avaliados, obtendo resultados satisfatórios. Um teste de estabilidade para o radiofármaco MIBI em solução foi realizado e o resultado indicou uma preservação das características de aproximadamente 60 dias, e quando liofilizado de mais de 12 meses. Sendo assim, os métodos propostos foram considerados adequados para utilização na rotina da indústria farmacêutica. Como perspectivas, novas condições serão testadas para obter método de quantificação para o radiofármaco 99m-Tc-DTPA em produto acabado. / Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive compounds that can be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Technetium (99mTc) sestamibi is a radiopharmaceutical including a coordination complex consisting of the radioisotope technetium-99m bound to six Sestamibi ligands, which is mainly used to image the myocardium via scintigraphy. This is the most common nuclear medicine procedure, making Technetium (99mTc) sestamibi the most commercialized radiopharmaceutical. Technetium (99mTC)-DTPA in turn is composed by the same radioisotope plus a molecule of Pentetic Acid, which, by its chelating properties, is used to scan renal system. As radiopharmaceuticals are regarded as drugs, they are subject to the same regulations; therefore, the objective of this study is to develop quantification methodology for these both active pharmaceutical ingredients before their complexation with the radioisotope by employing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology. Two simple, efficient methods were developed and validated for Sestamibi at its final form as well as for DTPA's raw material by using buffer and organic solvent mixtures. The validation parameters were evaluated with satisfactory results. A stability test was carried out for Sestamibi, indicating the preservation of characteristics for nearly 60 days, and for over 12 months when at its freezedryed form. The proposed methods were thus considered adequate for pharmaceutical industries. As perspectives, new conditions shall be tested to obtain a quantification method for Technetium (99mTC)-DTPA at its final form.

Radiofármacos são compostos radioativos que podem ser usados tanto para diagnóstico como para terapia. O radiofármaco 99m-Tc-MIBI é a formação de um complexo contendo o radionúclideo Tecnécium-99m e seis moléculas de Sestamibi, usado principalmente para cintilografias do miocárdio, sendo o procedimento mais realizado dentro da medicina nuclear, por consequência, o radiofármaco mais comercializado. Já o radiofármaco 99m-Tc-DTPA é composto também pelo mesmo radioisótopo e por uma molécula de ácido pentético, a qual tem característica de um quelante com afinidade pelos rins, por isso, é possível fazer avaliação do sistema renal. Como os radiofármacos são considerados medicamentos, estão sujeitos às mesmas normativas, logo o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver metodologia de doseamento destes insumos ativos antes da complexação com o radionuclídeo através da metodologia de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Dois métodos simples e eficientes foram desenvolvidos e validados para o MIBI em produto acabado e para a matéria-prima ácido pentético (DTPA), utilizando-se misturas de solvente orgânico e tampão. Os parâmetros de validação foram avaliados, obtendo resultados satisfatórios. Um teste de estabilidade para o radiofármaco MIBI em solução foi realizado e o resultado indicou uma preservação das características de aproximadamente 60 dias, e quando liofilizado de mais de 12 meses. Sendo assim, os métodos propostos foram considerados adequados para utilização na rotina da indústria farmacêutica. Como perspectivas, novas condições serão testadas para obter método de quantificação para o radiofármaco 99m-Tc-DTPA em produto acabado. / Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive compounds that can be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Technetium (99mTc) sestamibi is a radiopharmaceutical including a coordination complex consisting of the radioisotope technetium-99m bound to six Sestamibi ligands, which is mainly used to image the myocardium via scintigraphy. This is the most common nuclear medicine procedure, making Technetium (99mTc) sestamibi the most commercialized radiopharmaceutical. Technetium (99mTC)-DTPA in turn is composed by the same radioisotope plus a molecule of Pentetic Acid, which, by its chelating properties, is used to scan renal system. As radiopharmaceuticals are regarded as drugs, they are subject to the same regulations; therefore, the objective of this study is to develop quantification methodology for these both active pharmaceutical ingredients before their complexation with the radioisotope by employing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology. Two simple, efficient methods were developed and validated for Sestamibi at its final form as well as for DTPA's raw material by using buffer and organic solvent mixtures. The validation parameters were evaluated with satisfactory results. A stability test was carried out for Sestamibi, indicating the preservation of characteristics for nearly 60 days, and for over 12 months when at its freezedryed form. The proposed methods were thus considered adequate for pharmaceutical industries. As perspectives, new conditions shall be tested to obtain a quantification method for Technetium (99mTC)-DTPA at its final form.

Introduction: Targeted pharmaceuticals for labelling with radio-isotopes for very specific imaging (and possibly later for targeted therapy) play a major role in Theranostics which is currently an important topic in Nuclear Medicine as well as personalised medicine. There was a need for a very specific lung cancer radiopharmaceutical that would specifically be uptaken in integrin 3 expression cells to image patients using a Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanner. Background and problem statement: Cold kits of c (RGDyK)–SCN-Bz-NOTA were kindly donated by Seoul National University (SNU) to help meet Steve Biko Hospital’s need for this type of imaging. These cold kits showed great results internationally in labelling with a 0.1 M 68Ge/68Ga generator (t1/2 of 68Ge and 68Ga are 270.8 days and 67.6 min, respectively). However the same cold kits failed to show reproducible radiolabeling with the 0.6 M generator manufactured under cGMP conditions at iThemba LABS, Cape Town and distributed by IDB Holland, the Netherlands. Materials and methods: There was therefore a need for producing an in-house NOTA-RGD kit that would enable production of clinical 68Ga-NOTA-RGD in high yields from the IDB Holland/iThemba LABS generator. Quality control included ITLC in citric acid to observe labelling efficiency as well as in sodium carbonate to evaluate colloid formation. HPLC was also performed at iThemba LABS as well as Necsa (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation). RGD was obtained from Futurechem, Korea. Kit mass integrity was determined by testing labelling efficiency of 10, 30 and 60 μg of RGD per cold kit. The RGD was buffered with sodium acetate trihydrate. The original kits were dried in a desiccator and in later studies only freeze dried. Manual labelling was also tested. The radiolabelled in-house kit’s ex vivo biodistribution in healthy versus tumour mice were examined by obtaining xenografts. The normal biodistribution was investigated in three vervet monkeys by doing PET-CT scans on a Siemens Biograph TP 40 slice scanner. Results: Cold kit formulation radiolabeling and purification methods were established successfully and SOPs (standard operating procedures) created. HPLC results showed highest radiochemical purity in 60 μg cold kit vials. 68Ga-NOTA-RGD showed increased uptake in tumours of tumour bearing mouse. The cold kit also showed normal distribution according to literature with fast blood clearance and excretion through kidneys into urine, therefore making it a suitable radiopharmaceutical for clinical studies. Conclusion: The in-house prepared cold kit with a 4 month shelf-life was successfully tested in mice and monkeys. / MSc (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Introduction: Targeted pharmaceuticals for labelling with radio-isotopes for very specific imaging (and possibly later for targeted therapy) play a major role in Theranostics which is currently an important topic in Nuclear Medicine as well as personalised medicine. There was a need for a very specific lung cancer radiopharmaceutical that would specifically be uptaken in integrin 3 expression cells to image patients using a Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanner. Background and problem statement: Cold kits of c (RGDyK)–SCN-Bz-NOTA were kindly donated by Seoul National University (SNU) to help meet Steve Biko Hospital’s need for this type of imaging. These cold kits showed great results internationally in labelling with a 0.1 M 68Ge/68Ga generator (t1/2 of 68Ge and 68Ga are 270.8 days and 67.6 min, respectively). However the same cold kits failed to show reproducible radiolabeling with the 0.6 M generator manufactured under cGMP conditions at iThemba LABS, Cape Town and distributed by IDB Holland, the Netherlands. Materials and methods: There was therefore a need for producing an in-house NOTA-RGD kit that would enable production of clinical 68Ga-NOTA-RGD in high yields from the IDB Holland/iThemba LABS generator. Quality control included ITLC in citric acid to observe labelling efficiency as well as in sodium carbonate to evaluate colloid formation. HPLC was also performed at iThemba LABS as well as Necsa (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation). RGD was obtained from Futurechem, Korea. Kit mass integrity was determined by testing labelling efficiency of 10, 30 and 60 μg of RGD per cold kit. The RGD was buffered with sodium acetate trihydrate. The original kits were dried in a desiccator and in later studies only freeze dried. Manual labelling was also tested. The radiolabelled in-house kit’s ex vivo biodistribution in healthy versus tumour mice were examined by obtaining xenografts. The normal biodistribution was investigated in three vervet monkeys by doing PET-CT scans on a Siemens Biograph TP 40 slice scanner. Results: Cold kit formulation radiolabeling and purification methods were established successfully and SOPs (standard operating procedures) created. HPLC results showed highest radiochemical purity in 60 μg cold kit vials. 68Ga-NOTA-RGD showed increased uptake in tumours of tumour bearing mouse. The cold kit also showed normal distribution according to literature with fast blood clearance and excretion through kidneys into urine, therefore making it a suitable radiopharmaceutical for clinical studies. Conclusion: The in-house prepared cold kit with a 4 month shelf-life was successfully tested in mice and monkeys. / MSc (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014