Comparative studies of radiocitrates in oncological models—I. 99mTc citrate and 67Ga citrate uptake by EMT-6 tumors in mice

67Ga citrate and 99mTc citrate (Solcocitran) were injected sequentially, with an interval of 48 h, into Balb/c mice bearing transplanted EMT-6 tumors. Tissue distributions of 67Ga and 99mTe were measured simultaneously at intervals of 1, 3, 5 and 8 h after injection of the 99mTc citrate (49, 51, 53 and 56 h after 67Ga citrate). Maximal tumor:blood ratios for 99mGa and 99mTc were 13.8 ± 3.2 and 4.0 ± 1.0 respectively, both occurring at the final period. The maximum tumor index (T.I. = T:B x % dose/g) for 67Ga was 71 ± 23% 56 h after injection, and for Tc was 13 ± 12% 1 h after injection. Liver, kidney and spleen had equal or higher concentrations of radioactivity than tumor for either radiotracer. The somewhat higher tumor:blood ratio for 67Ga citrate was offset by the time required for this optimum to be reached. Alternatively, the best 99mTc citrate tumor:blood ratios were attained within 8 h, with less liver and gut radioactivity. These data fall within the range of results from other clinical and animal model studies of 67Ga citrate and Tc citrate. In view of the radiation dose, the inconvenience of the 48–72 h wait, and the cost of 67Ga, and because neither radiopharmaceutical is tumor specific, 99mTc citrate may have a place in early oncological screening. The results are discussed as part of a comprehensive review of the 99mTc citrate literature.