Gallium-68 labeled Gd-CdTe quantum dots: a novel nuclear imaging agent for detection of fibrosarcoma tumor

In this study, the influence of incorporation of gadolinium ions in CdTe quantum dots lattice on the biodistribution of [68Ga] Ga@Gd-CdTe QDs nanoparticles was investigated. [68Ga] Ga@Gd-CdTe QDs nanoparticles were prepared using high purity [68Ga] GaCl3 and thioglycolic acid (TGA) capped Gd-CdTe QDs. TGA capped Gd-CdTe QDs were characterized with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The radiochemical purity and stability of the [68Ga] Ga@Gd-CdTe QDs were performed using conventional instant thin layer chromatography. In-vivo biodistribution studies in rats bearing fibrosarcoma tumors were performed by intravenously injection of [68Ga] Ga@Gd-CdTe QDs nanocomposite followed by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. High (8.8%) and rapid (after 24 min) tumor uptake of [68Ga] Ga@Gd-CdTe QDs were observed.