[186/188Re] rhenium-ethylene dicysteine (Re-Ec):: Preparation and evaluation for possible use in endovascular brachytherapy

(ReO4-)-Re-188, Re-188-MAG(3), and Re-188-DTPA are currently under investigation as radiation sources in liquid-filled balloons for prevention of restenosis following coronary angioplasty. Because Tc-99m-labeled ethylene dicysteine (EC) is a well-established agent for renal tubular function imaging, the use of [Re-188] rhenium-labeled EC as a potential agent for prevention of restenosis after angioplasty is worth evaluation. In this article, the preparation and pharmacological behavior of [Re-188/186]Re complex of EC are reported. The yield of the Re complex was optimized by varying the parameters of complexation. The complex prepared under the optimized conditions was found to be stable over a period of 7 days when stored at pH 2 and at 4 degrees C. The pharmacological behavior of [Re-188/186]Re-EC confirms its similarity to Re-188,MAG, and its superiority over (ReO4-)-Re-188 for use in endovascular brachytherapy. NUCL MED BIOL 27;2:189-197, 2000. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.