technetium-99m-labeled polyethylene glycol liposome

Technetium-99m-labeled polyethylene glycol liposome is an investigational radiopharmaceutical imaging agent used in nuclear medicine for the scintigraphic detection of infection and inflammation. It consists of small unilamellar liposomes that are sterically stabilized with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating. This 'stealth' coating reduces uptake by the mononuclear phagocyte system, resulting in a prolonged blood circulation half-life of approximately 18 hours. The liposomes are labeled with the gamma-emitting radionuclide technetium-99m, typically encapsulated using lipophilic chelators such as hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO). The agent preferentially localizes at sites of active disease through the 'leaky' vasculature associated with increased capillary permeability in inflamed tissues. While it has shown potential in visualizing conditions like Crohn's colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, clinical development has been hampered by infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions, such as dyspnea and facial erythema.

Other names

technetium-99m-labeled PEGylated liposometechnetium99m-labeled PEGylated liposometechnetium 99m-labeled PEGylated liposome99mTc-labeled PEG-liposome99mTc-PEG-PE-liposome