Preparation and evaluation of 99mTc-anidulafungin: a potential radiotracer for fungal infection

Aiming to develop specific diagnostic tool for invasive fungal infection, a radiopharmaceutical based on anidulafungin was investigated. A two-step approach was used to label the drug with technetium-99m to retain its biological activity. 99mTc-tricarbonyl-Anidulafugin complex was obtained in high radiochemical yield (~98%). The complex was radio-chemically characterized and physico-chemically evaluated to assess its suitability as a radiopharmaceutical. Thereafter, it was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using different models; sterile inflammation, bacterial and fungal infection in mice and showed specific accumulation [C. albicans model (~6.5%), A. fumigatus model (~5.2%)]. All results supported its usefulness as specific tracer for fungal infection.