Introduction of radio nanocomposite [89Zr]Zr-CdTe QDs as a PET imaging agent

The present study focuses on the performance and biodistribution of the cadmium telluride quantum dots labeled with zirconium-89. Synthesis and characterization of cadmium telluride quantum dots, radiolabeling and quality control, and then animal studies including investigating biodistribution, tumor accumulation, how to clear up the radiopharmaceutical from the body and positron emission tomography images have been studied. Cadmium telluride quantum dots with dimensions of about 3 nm were chemically synthesized. The labeling reaction was performed starting from zirconium chloride and CdTe QDs. In order to evaluate the in vivo behavior of [89Zr]Zr-CdTe QDs and to compare it with zirconium-89 ([89Zr]Zr-Chloride), PET imaging experiments were designed and performed. Immediately after each imaging, the mice were dissected and the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical in different organs was evaluated. The results indicated the rapid and targeted accumulation of these radionanoparticles in the tumor. Due to the superior properties of the zirconium-89 radioisotope and appropriate biodistribution, these labeled nanoparticles were introduced as potential nuclear imaging agents.