DETERMINATION OF [HEMATOPORPHYRIN-H-3] AND [HEMATOPORPHYRIN-C-14 DERIVATIVE DISTRIBUTION IN MALIGNANT AND NORMAL TISSUE

Abstract

The synthesis and tissue-localizing ability of [14C]- and [3H]hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) in mice have been described. Tissue levels and distributions were the same for both radioactive compounds, indicating that in vivo 3H exchange did not occur with [3H]HPD. The amount of [14C]HPD or [3H]HPD which localized in the transplanted tumor tissue of mice at various times following i.p. injection (10 mg/kg) was higher than in skin or muscle tissue but was less than in liver, kidney, or spleen tissue. HPD may not accumulate in malignant tissue to a higher degree than in all normal tissue. Gross visualization of porphyrin fluorescence cannot be correlated with actual tissue concentrations of the dye. [This study is of interest for cancer diagnosis.].