Cobalt-labeled bleomycin--a new radiopharmaceutical for tumor localization. A comparative clinical evaluation with gallium citrate.

The efficacy of 57Co-labeled bleomycin as a tumor-scanning agent was evaluated in 50 patients with malignant tumor. In terms of sensitivity, labeled bleomycin was found to be a superior agent for malignant tumor detection when compared with 67Ga-citrate (p less than or equal to 0.005). Maximum sensitivity (96%) was found in epidermoid carcinomas. Because of rapid blood clearance and rapid excretion by the kidneys, interpretation of 57Co-bleomycin scans is facilitated.