gallium (67Ga) citrate

Gallium citrate Ga-67 is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical agent used in nuclear medicine for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. When administered intravenously, gallium-67 behaves similarly to ferric iron (Fe3+) and binds to plasma proteins, primarily serotransferrin. The resulting gallium-transferrin complex circulates and preferentially accumulates in tissues with high metabolic activity, such as active inflammatory lesions and certain viable primary and metastatic tumors (including Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas, and bronchogenic carcinoma). This cellular uptake is mediated by transferrin receptors, which are highly expressed on rapidly dividing cancer cells and activated leukocytes. Once inside the cells, gallium concentrates in lysosomes and binds to intracellular proteins. The gamma radiation emitted by the decaying gallium-67 isotope is then detected by a gamma camera to produce scintigraphic images, aiding in the localization and evaluation of neoplastic and inflammatory pathologies.

Brand names

GalliumNeoscan

Other names

67Ga-citrateGa-67 citrateGa67 citrateGa 67 citrateGa-67 Gallium CitrateGa67 Gallium CitrateGa 67 Gallium Citrategallium citrate Ga 67gallium citrate Ga-67gallium-67 citrategallium67 citrategallium 67 citrate