Desferoxamine Mesylate (Desferal): A Contrast-Enhancing Agent for Gallium-67 Imaging

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Abstract
Desferal (desferoxamine mesylate) was investigated as a contrast-enhancing agent for tumor and abscess imaging with 67Ga-citrate. Tumor studies were performed in mice with Cloudman S-91 melanoma. Abscess studies were performed with a s.c. abscess model in rabbits. When Desferal is administered 16-18 h after injection of 67Ga, rapid blood clearance of 67Ga occurs with only slight (tumor) or no (abscess) loss of activity from the lesion. Retention in other organs is variable. Tumor-to-blood ratios are improved 8-fold in tumor and 4-fold in abscess in studies performed with single Desferal injections of 150 mg/kg. Blood and total body clearance studies in rabbits reveal that maximum Desferal effect is achieved in the 17-50 mg/kg dose range and that only minimal improvement occurs at higher doses.