Metal isotopes used as radioactive indicators of ocular melanoma.

We studied radioactive metal compounds to determine their localization in malignant Greene melanoma in the eye of the Syrian golden hamsters. Scintigraphy of an ocular melanoma was achieved with several radioactive metals: radioactive indium(111In)-bleomycin, radioactive gallium (67Ga)-citrate, and radioactive lead (203Pb)-tris. The 111In-bleomycin had the highest tumor uptake (5.45% dose/g), but not the highest tumor-to-background ratios. The 67Ga-citrate had a maximum tumor uptake of 4.87% dose/g at 48 hours. The 111In-chloride had a melanoma uptake of 2.26% dose/g, while with 203Pbtris the uptake was 1.61% dose/g. These uptake ratios compare favorably with that of radioactive phosphorus (32P)-2.21% dose/g. Noninvasive localization of malignant melanoma in the eye was accomplished with metal isotopes. Detailed analysis of in vitro uptake date by tumor and background tissues revealed the optimum time for scanning and precluded unnecessary trials.