Quinoline analog labeled with iodine 123 in melanoma detection.

Using the Greene melanoma in the hamster (Syrian Golden), the radiopharmaceutical, 123-1-4(3-dimethylaminopropylamino)-7-Iodoquinoline, was tested for its ability to localize melanoma. This quinoline analog has been described for use in the detection of melanoma, but this is the first report, to our knowledge, of its being used with an 123-l label. Hamsters with either skin or eye melanomas were studied. Both melanomas could be seen with a gamma camera at three hours after injection. In vitro analysis confirmed the tumor specificity. Thus, it appears that this preclinical trial of a new radiopharmaceutical justifies clinical testing to determine its value in the localization of melanomas of the eyes and skin of humans.