Direct labeling of proteins with 99mTc

Abstract

The direct labeling of antibodies and antibody fragments to form a highly stable bond between technetium and the sulfide groups of proteins is now well established. To optimize this reaction, the antibody protein must have sufficient reactive sulfides available to accept that technetium metal ions that are formed by the reduction of pertechnetate in the presence of a weak complexing agent. The reactive sulfide groups are provided by first reducing a small fraction of the disulfide bridges in the antibody protein or by starting with Fab' fragments, which already have reactive sulfide groups. When the antibody protein has been appropriately reduced, and the reactive sulfide groups protected by a metal ion with a lower binding affinity than technetium, such as tin or zinc, very high labeling yields of high-affinity-bonded 99mTc can be achieved. This can be accomplished without loss of immunoreactivity, measured as either affinity or immunoreactive fraction. Side reactions can produce radiochemical impurities such as low-affinity, bound 99mTc; 99mTc colloids; 99mTc peptides or antibody aggregates; or 99mTc-complexes. Also, pertechnetate ions may be an impurity if the sodium pertechnetate solution added to the reduced antibodies is not completely reduced. The specifics of minimizing these side reactions have not been extensively discussed in the prior literature; however, it is clear that appropriate reduction of the protein prior to labeling and complete removal of the reducing agent, particularly if it contains reactive sulfide groups or is toxic, are critical. One- or two-step 99mTc-labeling kits for preparing 99mTc-labeled antibody or antibody fragments are rapidly being introduced for use in clinical nuclear medicine studies. These direct labeling methods employ a common sequence of chemical reactions, although the reducing agents for both the antibody and the [99mTc]pertechnetate may vary. Different 99mTc transfer agents may be used, but all transfer agents have the common feature of quickly forming weak to moderately strong complexes with reduced technetium. Most use Sn(II) to reduce the pertechnetate, although other reducing agents can be used.