[0001] Radioactive tin- 117m can be used as a radiopharmaceutical. Highly purified no- carrier-added tin- 117m is preferred. Typical methods of producing tin- 117m and, in particular, no-carrier-added tin-117m, generally produce the tin-117m in the +4 state.

[0002] In most applications, to be used as a radiopharmaceutical, the tin- 117m must be attached to a bioactive molecule. The bioactive molecule can perform several functions, such as directing the tin- 117m to a desired location. Generally, the tin(IV) is chelated to a molecule that has four charge centers, such as carboxylic acid groups or amine groups, that accept the tin(IV). The reaction, however, takes place under relatively severe conditions which can affect the yield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is premised on the realization that tin(IV)-117m can be reduced to tin(II)-117m, conjugated to a bifunctional chelating agent attached to a bioactive molecule, and then subsequently reacted to form tin(IV), which is strongly bonded to the chelating agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] According to the present invention, tin(II) is bonded to a chelating agent and allowed to react and form tin(IV) while bonded to the chelating agent. In one embodiment, tin(IV)-117m is first reduced by an acidic solution of, for example, antimony to form tin(II). The tin(II), in turn, can be reacted with a bifunctional chelating agent, such as aminobenzyl DOTA, which can then be easily separated from the acidic antimony solution. Preferably, the chelating agent will be bonded to an ioactive molecule prior to being reacted with the tin(II). According to the present invention, the tin(IV) -117m is heated in the presence of antimony at low pH. The bifunctional chelating agent is then added to the acidic solution and the pH raised to about 5 to 6. The reduced tin(II) attaches to the chelating agent under very mild conditions and the tin(II) will subsequently naturally convert to tin(IV) without the addition of an oxidizing agent.

[0005] For use in the present invention, the tin- 117m in the +4 state can be obtained according to any well-known methods. The tin can be carrier added or no-carrier added, depending on its intended use. One preferred method of forming high specific activity no- carrier-added tin-117m is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,257,681, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This produces an extremely pure no-carrier-added tin- 117m in the +4 state.

[0006] Any bifunctional chelant which will bind to the tin(II) will function. Generally, these will be chelants having four charge centers, such as carboxylic acid or amine groups. Any chelant can be used in the present invention, so long as the chelating agent can bond to a second molecule, such as, for example, annexin. The second molecule or bioactive molecule is one which directs the tin- 117m to an appropriate location in the body, or has other functions within the body, which facilitates treatment or imaging of an ailment in the human body.

[0007] One such chelating agent is aminobenzyl-DOTA. The DOTA portion of the molecule has four active carboxylic acid groups and is known to chelate with tin(IV). The aminobenzyl portion of the molecule that can react with other biomolecules, for example annexin. PROCEDURE FOR REDUCING TIN(IV USING Sb

[0008] According to the following procedure, one molar solution of hydrochloric acid is prepared and combined with 0.1 molar SnC14.5H20. About 200 μΐ, of O.lmolar Sn(IV) solution is combined with an excess of antimony, about 25 mg. This is heated at 50°C for thirty minutes in water bath. Supernatant tin solution is combined with 0.1 molar aminobenzyl- DOTA solution 1:1. PH is adjusted to five, using four molar NaOAc or, alternately, the pH can be raised to six using sufficient one molar MES buffer solution. Tin(II) aminobenzyl-DOTA remains in solution while the antimony precipitates out and can be separated by filtration. This allows the tin(II) chelate to be formed and separated from the reducing reagents. HPLC confirmed the reaction of the tin(II) to the aminobenzyl-DOTA.

[0009] The tin(II) aminobenzyl-DOTA then naturally oxidizes (for example in the presence of oxygen) to tin(IV) aminobenzyl-DOTA, which is a much more stable compound.

[0010] The present invention enables one to form the Sn(II)-117m and ship this to a radiopharmacy, where it can be reacted with, for example, aminobenzyl-DOTA annexin or other chelant bioactive molecule. This will then form Sn(IV)-l 17m and can be injected into a patient. This invention also lends itself to distribution using a kit. A kit will include the tin(IV)- 117m in one vial. The components necessary for the antimony reduction would be in a second vial. The radiopharmacy may have the aminobenzyl-DOTA - bioactive molecule on hand or it can be shipped in a third vial. The tin(II) is formed by combining the tin(IV) and the antimony reduction solution. The tin(II) is then added to the chelant bioactive molecule solution and reacted. The tin- 117m will naturally oxidize to tin(IV) 117m and is ready for injection. [0011] This has been a description the present invention and the preferred method of practice in the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims wherein we claim:

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: