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NCI Drug Dictionary


technetium Tc 99m methylene diphosphonate 
A radiopharmaceutical containing methylene diphosphonate (medronate; MDP) complexed with the gamma-emitting radionuclide technetium Tc 99m with radioisotopic activity and hydroxyapatite affinity. Upon intravenous administration, skeletal uptake of technetium Tc 99m methylene diphosphonate occurs as a function of skeletal blood flow and osteogenic activity. The MDP moiety of this agent has affinity for hydroxyapatite crystals in bone with abnormal accumulation at sites with increased osteoid mineralization; labeling of MDP with Tc 99m allows scinitgraphic imaging of areas of abnormal osteogenesis associated with malignant bone lesions. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:technetium Tc 99m medronate
US brand name:TechneScan MDP
Abbreviation:99mTc-MDP