RADIOLABELED APATITE PARTICLES CONTAINING A PARAMAGNETIC ION

摘要

The present invention provides methods and compositions for improved medical diagnostic imaging and therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The compositions are derived from apatite particles including, but not limited to, hydroxyapatite, fluoroapatite, iodoapatite, carbonate-apatite, and mixtures and derivatives thereof. The compositions of the present invention contain a paramagnetic species incorporated into the apatite particles to improve magnetic resonance contrast and a radionuclide capable of providing a therapeutic dose of radioactivity. Also disclosed is a combination diagnostic/therapeutic composition and methods of performing medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which involve administering to a warm-blooded animal an amount of the above-described apatite particles containing a diagnostically effective amount of the paramagnetic ion and a therapeutically effective amount of the radionuclide and then performing the medical treatment and diagnostic procedures.