Biokinetics of 99mTc‐labeled gold nanoparticles conjugated to mannose for specific sentinel node detection

The aim of this research was to evaluate the biological behavior in Wistar rats of a multifunctional system of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) conjugated to 99mTc‐HYNIC‐GGC and mannose for sentinel lymph node (SLN) specific detection. The radiolabeled nanoconjugate, characterized by TEM and UV‐vis, vibrational, XPS and Fluorescence spectroscopic analyses, was administered in rats (footpad) and the radioactivity levels in the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes determined at different times from 30 min to 24 h. Results showed that 21% of the injected radio‐AuNP‐mannose was retained in the first lymph node (popliteal) during 24 h. 99mTc‐HYNIC‐GGC‐AuNP‐Mannose is a potential target‐specific tracer for SLN detection in breast cancer patients.