99mTc-HMPAO as a tumour blood flow agent

The cerebral blood flow agent, 99mTc-HMPAO ('CeretecTM') has been investigated to see if it can be used to estimate tumour blood flow. Its distribution in Balb/c mice bearing either a subcutaneously implanted sarcoma or a plasmacytoma has been shown to be similar to that of 86RbCl. The changes in peripheral blood flow caused by the beta-blocker, propranolol, and by Nembutal anaesthesia, are manifested equally by 99mTc-HMPAO and 86Rb. We conclude, therefore, that HMPAO may be useful in estimating tumour perfusion.