DELINEATION OF A TRANSPLANTED MALIGNANT-MELANOMA WITH INDIUM-111-LABELED PORPHYRIN

Abstract

An indium complex of a cationic, water-soluble, synthetic porphyrin, tetra-4-N-methylpyridyl porphyrin tosylate, was prepared and evaluated for its selective localizing in tumors in Syrian Golden hamsters with flank transplanted malignant melanoma (Fortner MMI). Tumor-to-blood ratios of the compound increase from 42:1 at 6 h postinjection, at which time activity levels in the tumor exceed those in all other tissues, to 162.1 at 72 h. Images in 1 hamster at 3 time periods clearly delineated the tumor from nontarget background and also demarcated the viable and necrotic zones within the tumor itself.