To date no radiopharmaceutical is routinely used to study changes in receptor concentration. Frequently changes in receptor concentration, or the appearance of receptors in tumors, indicates a specific pathologic state. With a receptor-binding radiotracer, in vivo studies of these changes will be possible. A reversible bimolecular model and in vitro tests were used to determine equilibrium constants and maximal target-to-blood ratios for new derivatives. Theoretical calculations showed that derivatives binding to the estrogen receptor, the beta adrenoceptor, or the cholinergic receptor are capable of achieving satisfactory target-to-blood ratios. Using in vitro tests, the apparent affinity constant was determined for five iodinated estrogen derivatives and five derivatives of beta blockers. Results of the in vitro study with derivatives of beta blockers. Results of the in vitro study with derivatives of beta blockers, and in vivo displacement studies using propranolol, indicated that the high heart-to-blood ratios (5 to 20) obtained with the new derivatives were not the result of a specific interaction with the receptor. In this instance factors other than receptor binding control the in vivo distribution. The in vitro assay using estrogen receptors showed that of the five derivatives, iodohexestrol and 17-alpha-iodoethynylestradiol bind to the receptor with the highest affinity.more » In vivo studies confirmed these results; iodohexestrol gave a uterus-to-blood ratio of 10 in immature rats when plasma-protein binding was blocked. With a tritiated muscarinic cholinergic blocking agent, heart-to-blood ratios near the theoretical maximum were obtained. This compound most closely follows the mechanism described by the model. Use of the theoretical model in conjunction with in vitro assays can greatly aid in the design of this new class of receptor-binding radiopharmaceuticals.« less