Abstract
This study has attempted to prepare human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles (NPs) for targeting solid tumor cells via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. HSA-NPs was labeled with 99mTc using the 99mTc(I)-tricarbonyl ion, [99mTc(CO)3(OH2)3]+ as a precursor to prepare as a radiotracer for clinically imaging use.Methods: HSA-NPs were produced by a desolvation technique. [99mTc(CO)3(OH2)3]+ was prepared and subjected to directly label HSA-NPs. The resulted 99mTc(I)-tricarbonyl labeled HSA-NPs, abbreviated as 99mTc(I)-tricarbonyl-HSA-NPs, was measured for its particle size distribution and in vitro stability.Results: According to DLS analysis, the HSA-NPs prepared could be preserved without aggregation and kept at the size distribution as 217.9 ± 5.2 nm. After being radiolabeled, the particles were found with size distribution at 233.3 ± 7.6 nm at room temperature and at 234.7 ± 8.2 nm at 37°C after storage for 48 h. The radiochemical purity of 99mTc(I)-tricarbonyl-HSA-NPs could maintain at 90% after incubation either in normal saline and in rat plasma for 48 h.Conclusion: HSA-NPs was successfully prepared in nanometer scale and could be readily labeled with 99mTc(I)-tricarbonyl ion. The 99mTc labeled HSA-NPs was stable during incubation either in normal saline and in plasma.