Accumulation Mechanism of 111In in Malignant Tumor

In order to clarify the accumulation mechanism of 111In in malignant tumor, subcellular distribution of 111In was quantitatively determined. Buffalo rats bearing Morris hepatoma 7316A were injected intraperitoneally 111In-chloride and tumor tissues were removed 24 hours later. Subcellular fractionation of tumor tissues were carried out according to the . method of C. de Duve, et al, and radioactivity of each fraction was counted. Most of the total radioactivity was distributed among the soluble, nuclear and lysosomal fractions. On account of its. low protein content, the relative specific radioactivity was the highest in the lysosomal fraction. The lysosomal fraction was solubilized gradually and the resultant stepwise release of 111In and acid phosphatase activity were measured. There was a close relationship between them. From these results it was concluded that 111In accumulated especially in the lysosomes. In the electron micrography the tumor lysosomes had already engulfed many foreign materials, so that the lysosomal function would be depressed.