Testing different storage conditions for (99m)Tc-MAG3 kit: can hot fractioning reduce the cost per unit dose?

Since its release for routine clinical use, (99m)Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) has become an important alternative to (131)I-labeled orthoiodohippuran. The cold kit for MAG3 is expensive, especially in developing countries. Therefore, unique storage conditions should be provided for cost reduction. Cold fractioning is a well-known procedure but has special requirements, such as a nitrogen tank and a laminar flow hood. The aim of this study was to prolong the shelf life of (99m)Tc-labeled MAG3 by a hot fractioning method, which separates the patient doses after (99m)Tc labeling. The radiochemical purity of the (99m)Tc-labeled MAG3 kit was tested under different storage conditions. Hot fractioning of the (99m)Tc-labeled MAG3 kit was found to be a possible alternative to cold fractioning for routine clinical studies.