Synthesis, radiochemistry and stability of the conjugates of technetium-99m complexes with Substance P

Two types of technetium-99m complexes: (i) with the Hynic ligand linked to Substance P(1-11) and (ii) of the type '4 + 1' consisting of tetradentate tripodal chelator tris(2-mercaptoethyl)-amine and monodentate isocyanide ligand previously coupled with Substance P(1-11), have been prepared on the n.c.a. scale. The obtained conjugates exhibit different lipophilicity and high stability in neutral aqueous solutions, even in the presence of excess concentration of histidine/cysteine competitive standard ligands. The conjugate (Tc-99m(NS3)(CN))(2)-SP containing two technetium-99m species in the molecule may be expected to be an extremely good diagnostic radiopharmaceutical.