67Ga citrate distribution following whole-body irradiation or chemotherapy

Whole-body retention, organ distribution, excretion, and serum binding of 67Ga were evaluated in rats under normal conditions and following whole-body gamma irradiation, vincristine sulfate, or mechlorethamine. The results suggest that both irradiation and chemotherapy lead to reduced whole-body retention of injected radiogallium, explained in part by an alteration in the serum binding of gallium. Recognition of these findings should be considered in interpreting decreased tumor concentration of gallium in patients following radiotherapy or chemotherapy.