Synthesis and in vitro characterization of a dendrimer-MORF conjugate for amplification pretargeting

Amplification pretargeting can play an important role in molecular imaging by significantly increasing the accumulation of signal in target tissues. Multiple-step amplification pretargeting offers the potential to greatly improve target localization of effector molecules through the intermediate use of polymers conjugated with multiple copies of complementary oligomers. In this study, PAMAM dendrimer generation 3 (G3) was conjugated with multiple copies of a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (MORF) oligomer. Characterization of the conjugate by native-PAGE and SE-HPLC demonstrated that the conjugation was successful. The average numbers of MORF groups in the G3-MORF conjugate, both attached and accessible to the (99m)Tc labeled complementary MORF (cMORF), were determined. The antitumor antibody CC49 was conjugated with both MORF and cMORF (collectively (c)MORF) at an average of about one group per molecule. Nine of the 32 carboxyl groups of the dendrimer were modified with MORF, of which 90% were accessible in solution to (99m)Tc-cMORF. After purification, the G3-MORF was radiolabeled with tracer (99m)Tc-labeled cMORF (i.e., G3-MORF/(99m)Tc-cMORF) and added to the antibody CC49 previously conjugated with cMORF (i.e., CC49-cMORF/G3-MORF/(99m)Tc-cMORF), the complex demonstrated a single peak on SE-HPLC as evidence of complete hybridization between G3-MORF/(99m)Tc-cMORF and CC49-cMORF. The CC49-(c)MORF were bound to both Protein G and Protein L coated plates, and G3-MORF was added to hybridize with CC49-cMORF before the (99m)Tc-cMORF was added to test amplification pretargeting. In comparison to conventional pretargeting without the G3-MORF, the signal was amplified about 6 and 14 times, respectively, showing that the G3-MORF participated in amplifying the signal. Further amplification studies using the CC49-(c)MORF for LS174T tumor cells in tissue culture also demonstrated clear evidence of signal amplification.     

An improved synthesis of NHS-MAG3 for conjugation and radiolabeling of biomolecules with (99m)Tc at room temperature

The mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) chelator has been shown to stably complex technetium-99m (99mTc) for nuclear imaging and radiorhenium (186/188Re) for tumor radiation therapy studies. The bifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of MAG3 with S-acetyl protection (N-hydroxysuccinimidyl S-acetylmercaptoacetyltriglycinate (NHS-MAG3)) has been successfully used to covalently conjugate a MAG3 chelator to primary amine functionalized biomolecules. We describe herein a simplified synthesis of NHS-MAG3 that begins with the preparation of the N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of S-acetylmercaptoacetic acid (N-succinimidyl S-acetylmercaptoacetate (SATA)) from mercaptoacetic acid and is followed by the synthesis of S-acetylmercaptoacetyltriglycine from SATA, together requiring about 14 days. Finally, the synthesis of NHS-MAG3 from S-acetylmercaptoacetyltriglycine requires a further 5 days. We had earlier described a method for the preparation of MAG3-conjugated and 99mTc-radiolabeled biomolecules that required elevated temperatures during postconjugation purification. We now report a modified method for the preparation that is accomplished at room temperature and therefore applicable to temperature-sensitive biomolecules. The conjugation and radiolabeling of bovine serum albumin is used as an example. The conjugation and purification requires about 2-3 h and the radiolabeling and postlabeling purification requires about an additional 2 h.     

A comparison of in vitro and in vivo stability in mice of two morpholino duplexes differing in chain length

The stability of hybridized duplexes is an important criterion for any radiopharmaceutical application of DNAs or their analogues such as phosphorodiamidate morpholinos (MORFs). OBJECTIVE: The stabilities in vitro and in mice of the duplex between MORF and its complement (cMORF) were investigated for two different chain lengths, a 15-mer MORF compared to the identical MORF but elongated to a 25-mer. METHODS: The hybridization characteristics of the 15-mer MORF with its complementary 15-mer and that of the 25-mer with its complementary 25-mer MORF were measured using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. For radiolabeling with (99m)Tc, the 15- and 25-mer MORF, both with a primary amine via a 10-member linker on the 3' equivalent end, were conjugated with NHS-MAG(3). The 15- and 25-mer cMORFs were conjugated via their amines to carbodiimidazole treated poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) (PA) such that about 50 cMORFs were attached to each polymer molecule in both cases (estimated MWs about 300 and 450 kDa, respectively). After hybridization in vitro, both the PA-cMORF15-(99m)Tc-MORF15 and PA-cMORF25-(99m)Tc-MORF25 homoduplexes were evaluated by size exclusion HPLC in saline, after incubation in 37 degrees C serum and in urine obtained 30 min post IV administration to normal mice. Biodistributions were obtained up to 18 h post administration. RESULTS: By SPR, the affinity constants for the homoduplexes were both about 10(9) M(-)(1) with the 25/25 only about 25% higher than the 15/15. However, the affinity constants for the 15/25 and 25/15 heteroduplexes showed a surprisingly 13-fold difference. By HPLC analysis, all duplexes were stable in saline; however, analysis of serum incubates and urine containing PA-cMORF15-(99m)Tc-MORF15 showed an immediate and pronounced low molecular weight peak that was identified by a shift assay to be (99m)Tc-MORF15. The comparable peak in both fluids was much less pronounced in the case of PA-cMORF25-(99m)Tc-MORF25. Whole body radioactivity levels also fell much more rapidly in mice receiving the 15-mer conjugate (65 vs 30% eliminated at 18 h) and biodistribution results showed higher kidney levels for the 15-mer conjugate. Results with the PA-cMORF25-(99m)Tc-MORF15 heteroduplex were more similar to that obtained with the 15-mer homoduplex than the 25-mer homoduplex. CONCLUSION: Despite what is reported to be high hybridization affinities, both the homoduplex and heteroduplexes prepared with (99m)Tc-MORF15 were found to be unstable in serum and in vivo toward dissociation to free (99m)Tc-MORF15. By contrast, homoduplex prepared with (99m)Tc-MORF25 showed higher stability. These differences in hybridization stability may be important considerations in radiopharmaceutical design.     

A Feasible Approach to Evaluate the Relative Reactivity of NHS-Ester Activated Group with Primary Amine-Derivatized DNA Analogue and Non-Derivatized Impurity

Synthetic DNA analogues with improved stability are widely used in life science. The 3′and/or 5′ equivalent terminuses are often derivatized by attaching an active group for further modification, but a certain amount of non-derivatized impurity often remains. It is important to know to what extent the impurity would influence further modification. The reaction of an NHS ester with primary amine is one of the most widely used options to modify DNA analogues. In this short communication, a 3′-(NH₂-biotin)-derivatized morpholino DNA analogue (MORF) was utilized as the model derivatized DNA analogue. Inclusion of a biotin concomitant with the primary amine at the 3′-terminus allows for the use of streptavidin to discriminate between the products from the derivatized MORF and non-derivatized MORF impurity. To detect the MORF reaction with NHS ester, S-acetyl NHS-MAG₃ was conjugated to the DNA analogue for labeling with ^99mTc, a widely used nuclide in the clinic. It was found that the non-derivatized MORF also reacted with the S-acetyl NHS-MAG₃. Radiolabeling of the product yielded an equally high labeling efficiency. Nevertheless, streptavidin binding indicated that under the conditions of this investigation, the non-derivatized MORF was five times less reactive than the amine-derivatized MORF.     

Methods for MAG3 conjugation and 99mTc radiolabeling of biomolecules

The chelator mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) forms a single stable chelate with technetium-99m (99mTc) oxotechnetate. The bifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of mercaptoacetyltriglycine with S-acetyl protection of the sulfhydryl group may be used to conjugate MAG3 to primary amine functionalized biomolecules for the purpose of radiolabeling with 99mTc for gamma detection or single photon emission computed tomography imaging (SPECT). We report here an improved MAG3 conjugation and 99mTc radiolabeling method capable of generating high radiochemical yield and high specific radioactivity. Post-labeling purification will not be needed if the protocol is followed as presented. Apart from the preparation of reagents, the conjugation and purification requires about 4 h, while the labeling with 99mTc requires about an additional 30 min.     

2,3,5,6-Tetrafluorophenyl N-(S-benzoylthioacetyl)glycylglycyl- p-aminobenzoate, a heterobifunctional (99m)Tc ligand for precomplexed antibody labeling

Heterobifunctional (99m)Tc ligands are useful for antibody labeling using the precomplexation route. The aim of this work was to synthesize a ligand, which has sufficient chemical stability to be complexed with (99m)Tc without inactivating the reactive conjugation group. Using 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl N-(S-benzoylthioacetyl)glycylglycyl-p-aminobenzoate (OC2) >60% of the (99m)Tc complex was obtained at 80 degrees C in 20 min, which was separated from the free ligand and impurities by HPLC. After solvent evaporation, (99m)Tc-OC2 was conjugated with the monoclonal antibody mAb425 in 50% radiochemical yield. In all, the labeling method required about 1 h preparation time. The immunoreactive fraction of the (99m)Tc-OC2 mAb425 conjugate was 81%, indicating preserved binding capability after conjugation. Compared to recently described methods, which need in situ activation of the (99m)Tc complex, the application of OC2 saved time and reduced the number of manipulations with radioactive material.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of technetium-99m-labeled deoxyglucose derivatives as imaging agents for tumor

Three deoxyglucose (DG) derivatives, S-DG, MAG(3)-DG and MAMA-BA-DG, were synthesized and labeled successfully with high labeling yields and high radio-chemical purities. Biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice demonstrated that these three new (99m)Tc-deoxyglucose derivatives showed accumulation in tumor and high tumor-to-muscle ratios. Among them, the (99m)Tc-MAG(3)-DG showed the best characteristics as a potential tumor marker for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).     

Effect of Thuya occidentalis on the labeling of red blood cells and plasma proteins with technetium-99m.

Thuya occidentalis is used in popular medicine in the treatment of condyloma and has antibacterial action. Red blood cells (RBC) labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are used for several evaluations in nuclear medicine. This labeling depends on a reducing agent, usually stannous ion. Any drug which alters the labeling of the tracer could be expected to modify the disposition of the radiopharmaceutical. We have evaluated the influence of T. occidentalis extract on the labeling of RBC and plasma proteins with 99mTc. Blood was withdrawn and incubated with T. occidentalis (0.25; 2.5; 20.5; and 34.1 percent v/v). Stannous chloride (1.2 micrograms/ml) was added and then 99mTc was added. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) separated. The analysis of the results shows that there is a decrease in radioactivity (from 97.64 to 75.89 percent) in BC with 34.1 percent of the drug. In the labeling process of RBC with 99mTc, the stannous and pertechnetate ions pass through the membrane, so we suggest that the T. occidentalis effect can be explained (i) by an inhibition of the transport of these ions, (ii) by damage in membrane, (iii) by competition with the cited ions for the same binding sites, or (iv) by possible generation of reactive oxygen species that could oxidize the stannous ion.     

Development,optimization, and biovalidation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc–insulin complex

Human biosynthetic insulin is a polypeptide hormone that plays an important and essential role in control of the level of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism in the blood. Human pancreatic insulin was labeled with ^99mTc to form a new radiopharmaceutical with a labeling yield of 99 ± 1% under optimum conditions: 0.1 mL insulin, pH 7, 25 μg stannous chloride, 1 mL (19 mCi) of pertechnetate, room temperature, and 10 min reaction time. The ^99mTc–insulin complex was examined using paper chromatography, ITLC, electrophoresis, and HPLC. In addition, in vitro and in vivo study of ^99mTc–insulin complex was performed at different time intervals.     

Evaluation of the in vitro effect of a Lantana camara extract on the labeling of blood constituents of rats with technetium-99m

Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) have been used in nuclear medicine procedures and drugs are capable to interfere on this labeling. Lantana camara (lantana) has medicinal properties and it has been used in folk medicine. The aim is to verify the effect of a lantana extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. Blood of rats was incubated with extract, stannous chloride and 99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) were separated. The % of radioactivity (%ATI) in these samples was calculated. Samples of labeled BC were washed and the %ATI maintained (%ATI-M) in the BC was determined. The results showed that lantana extract decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the IF-P from 70.24 +/- 2.59 to 11.95 +/- 3.07. This effect was not observed in the BC and IF-BC. The BC-%ATI-M was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in all concentrations tested when the BC was washed. This fact was not observed in the control. Substances present on the extract should have redoxi action decreasing the concentration of the stannous ion and this condition could justify the effect on the IF-P. The results about the BC-%ATI-M should indicate a possible effect on the transport of ions through the erythrocyte membrane.     

Technetium-99m-labeled platelets: Comparison of labeling with a new lipid-soluble Sn(II)-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide and 99mTc-HMPAO

Platelets pretinned with a neutral Sn(II)-2-mercaptopyridme-N-oxide (SN-MPO) were labeled with ^99mTc and compared to those labeled with ^99mTc-HMPAO. The conditions of labeling platelets, e.g. concentrations of platelets and Sn(II)-MPO, ^99mTc in ACD-saline or ACD-plasma media, pH and incubation time, were optimized using canine platelets. Moderate labeling efficiency was obtained with 20 μg of tin(II) chloride and 30 min incubation with Sn-MPO and pertechnetate. The viability of labeled platelets was determined by platelet recovery and platelet survival times in Beagle dogs. The labeling efficiency with platelets from 43 mL of blood was 62.8 ± 7.6%. The platelet recovery was 35.7 ± 5.0% and exponential survival time was 34.6 ± 3.1 h compared to 43.3 ± 12.0% and 29.5 ± 3.3 h for ^99mTc-HMPAO-labeled platelets. These values were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than ¹¹¹In-labeled platelets. Biodistribution in dogs indicates lower retention in blood, spleen and liver after some initial ^99mTc excretion in urine. The platelet deposition with ^99mTc platelets (Sn-MPO method) on polyurethane angio-catheters was similar to ^99mTc-HMPAO-labeled platelets. This study indicates that the platelets could be successfully labeled with pertechnetate in a cost-effective manner for the evaluation of thromboembolic complications.     

Evaluation of the phytic acid effect on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m and on the survival of a strain of Escherichia coli treated with stannous fluoride

The labeling of red blood cells with technetium-99m(^99mTc) depends on a reducing agent and stannous ions, as chloride or fluoride, are widely utilized. This labeling may also be altered by drugs. Moreover, some authors have reported that the survival of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures decreases in presence of stannous ions. Phytic acid is present in the daily diet and we evaluated its influence on: (i) the labeling of blood elements with ^99mTc and (ii) on the survival of an E. coli strain treated with stannous fluoride. Heparinized whole blood was withdrawn from Wistar rats and it was incubated with stannous chloride and with ^99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate, centrifuged and plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated. Samples of P and BC were also precipitaded with trichloroacetic acid, centrifuged and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) isolated. E. coli culture was treated with stannous fluoride in presence of phytic acid. As phytic acid altered the fixation of ^99mTc on BC, on IF-P and on IF-BC and, moreover, it abolished the lethal effect of stannous fluoride on the E. coli culture, we can suggest that, probably, phytic acid would have chelating properties to the stannous ions.     

Evaluation of a maleimido derivative of CHX-A' DTPA for site-specific labeling of affibody molecules

Affibody molecules are a new class of small targeting proteins based on a common three-helix bundle structure. Affibody molecules binding a desired target may be selected using phage-display technology. An Affibody molecule Z HER2:342 binding with subnanomolar affinity to the tumor antigen HER2 has recently been developed for radionuclide imaging in vivo. Introduction of a single cysteine into the cysteine-free Affibody scaffold provides a unique thiol group for site-specific labeling of recombinant Affibody molecules. The recently developed maleimido-CHX-A' DTPA was site-specifically conjugated at the C-terminal cysteine of Z HER2:2395-C, a variant of Z HER2:342, providing a homogeneous conjugate with a dissociation constant of 56 pM. The yield of labeling with (111)In was >99% after 10 min at room temperature. In vitro cell tests demonstrated specific binding of (111)In-CHX-A' DTPA-Z 2395-C to HER2-expressing cell-line SKOV-3 and good cellular retention of radioactivity. In normal mice, the conjugate demonstrated rapid clearance from all nonspecific organs except kidney. In mice bearing SKOV-3 xenografts, the tumor uptake of (111)In-CHX-A' DTPA-Z 2395-C was 17.3 +/- 4.8% IA/g and the tumor-to-blood ratio 86 +/- 46 (4 h postinjection). HER2-expressing xenografts were clearly visualized 1 h postinjection. In conclusion, coupling of maleimido-CHX-A' DTPA to cysteine-containing Affibody molecules provides a well-defined uniform conjugate, which can be rapidly labeled at room temperature and provides high-contrast imaging of molecular targets in vivo.     

Cytosine residues influence kidney accumulations of 99mTc-labeled morpholino oligomers

Watson-Crick pairing between complementary oligomers is proving to be an effective means for rapidly directing radioisotopes specifically to the exterior surface of cancer cells in vivo. In such pretargeting applications, it is highly desirable that the excess of isotopically labeled oligomers, which do not bind to the cancer cells, be rapidly cleared from the body. In this context, understanding the influence of chain length and base sequence of the radiolabeled oligomers is critical. We had earlier determined that the kidneys are the principal targets of short-chain radiolabeled morpholino oligomers (MORFs). To explain these observations, MORFs consisting of uniform cytosines (Cs), uniform thymines (Ts), uniform adenines (As), and uniform AAG repeat were labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) and studied in normal mice. In a limited investigation of the influence of oligomer backbone, a 20-mer MORF (MORF20) with a base sequence rich in Cs was compared with a phosphoromonothioate DNA (S-DNA20) of the same sequence. The in vivo behavior of the labeled MORFs was nearly identical in all organs, with the exception of kidneys. The kidney accumulations were about 25- to 80-fold higher for the uniform Cs relative to the other three uniform MORFs at 3 hours. The S-DNA20 rich in Cs showed only modest kidney accumulations compared with the equivalent MORF20, presumably because of preferential clearance of the S-DNA20 through the liver. Urine analysis showed no evidence of intact labeled S-DNA20 in contrast to fully intact labeled MORF20. We conclude that the high kidney levels observed by us previously for MORFs are most likely due largely to the C residues in the base sequence. In the case of S-DNAs, this phenomenon is partly disguised by the increased hepatic excretion and degradation. These results show that the base sequences of MORFs, and probably other oligomers as well, are an important determinant of biodistribution.     

99mTc-neolactosylated human serum albumin for imaging the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor

99mTc-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-coupled neogalactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) is used as an imaging agent for asialoglycoprotein receptor of the liver. However, its labeling is inconvenient because it should be incubated for 30 min at 50 degrees C. In addition, the conjugated DTPAs can cause decrease of pI and denaturation of protein. Therefore, we developed an improved agent 99mTc-neolactosyl human serum albumin (LSA) which contains a terminal galactose. LSA was synthesized by conjugating lactose to human serum albumin by the formation of a Schiff's base and successive reduction with sodium cyanoborohydride. The number of conjugated lactose molecules per LSA was 40.7 +/- 12.3. To simplify the labeling procedure, we used a direct labeling method that adopts a high affinity 99mTc binding site concept in antibody labeling. The produced LSA was reduced by beta-mercaptoethanol to generate sulfhydryl groups and purified by PD-10 size-exclusion column. The number of generated sulfhydryl groups per LSA was 21.9 +/- 3.0. Medronate and stannous chloride were added to the reduced LSA and freeze-dried. Finally, 99mTc-pertechnetate (37 MBq, 1 mL) was added to the vial and incubated for 10 min at room temperature. The labeling efficiency of 99mTc-LSA was higher than 98%, and the stability in human serum at 37 degrees C for 24 h was over 90%. Biodistribution study using balb/c mice and imaging study using SD rats showed high initial liver uptake and slow increase in the intestine due to hepatobiliary excretion after metabolism in the hepatocytes. Negligible spleen uptake was found while 99mTc-tin colloid showed significant amount of spleen uptake due to reticuloendothelial uptake. In conclusion, an improved agent, 99mTc-LSA, for imaging asialoglycoprotein receptor of the liver was successfully developed which showed a simple labeling procedure, high labeling efficiency, high stability, and high initial liver uptake.     

Preparation, 99mTc-labeling, and in vitro characterization of HYNIC and N3S modified RC-160 and [Tyr3]octreotide.

The synthesis of conjugates of two somatostatin analogues, RC-160 and [Tyr3]octreotide with different bifunctional chelators for labeling with Tc-99m, is described. Conjugates with hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) and two N3S compounds (benzoyl MAG3 and a N3S adipate derivative) were prepared on a small scale with high purity allowing evaluation of different bifunctional chelators on the same peptide without extensive peptide synthesis. High in vitro stability and retained binding affinity was found for all conjugates except for the N3S adipate. Peptide conjugates could be labeled at high specific activities (>1 Ci/micromol) with 99mTc, and different coligands were explored for the HYNIC conjugates. The resulting radiolabeled complexes were highly stable and showed binding affinity to somatostatin receptors in the nanomolar range. Varying labeling yield, stability, lipophilicity, and isomerism were found for different coligands used for labeling HYNIC conjugates, with lower lipophilicity, higher stability, and fewer coordination isomers for EDDA and tricine/nicotinic acid as ternary coligand compared to tricine. In particular, HYNIC complexes showed promising results for further in vivo evaluation.     

Transchelation of 99mTc from low affinity sites to high affinity sites of antibody

An exclusive labeling of high affinity sites of IgG and its F(ab′)₂ fragments with ^99mTc was accomplished. Antibody was first labeled in 0.1 M acetate buffer at pH 4.5, using stannous chloride as a reducing agent. Thus, high capacity, low affinity sites and low capacity, high affinity sites were both labeled. These ^99mTc complexes were stable at pH 4.5 and 7.0; however, they became destabilized at pH 8.2 and 9.0. Transchelation of ^99mTc to DTPA took place at the higher pH values and leveled off at 54% ^99mTc-F(ab′)₂ and 73% ^99mTc-IgG. These results indicate that the majority of ^99mTc bound to the low affinity sites was transchelated to the high affinity sites rather than to DTPA since low affinity sites account for 84% of total F(ab′)₂ sites and 76% of IgG sites. Biodistribution data in mice at 2.5 h postinjection were consistent with this hypothesis in that tissue concentrations of ¹¹¹In-DTPA-F(ab′)₂ were similar to the reequilibrated ^99mTc-F(ab′)₂ but were much higher than that of the unequilibrated ^99mTc-F(ab′)₂.     

The use of diaminodithiol for labeling small molecules with technetium-99m

To investigate the labeling of small molecules with ^99mTc by the bifunctional chelate approach, we have synthesized both a fatty acid and an estrone derivative containing a chelator of the N₂S₂ type. In the case of the fatty acid, this was a diaminodithiol (DADT) while for the estrone, a diaminodisulfide (DADS) was attached. The estrone derivative (5-(2-methylene estrone 3-methyl ether)-3,3,10,10-tetramethyl-1, 2-dithia-5,8-diazacyclodecane hydrochloride, DADS-E) was prepared by alkylation of DADS while the fatty acid derivative (N-(11-undecanoic acid)-N,N′-bis(2-methyl-2-mercaptopropyl) ethylenediamine hydrochloride, DADT-FA) was synthesized by alkylation of DADS followed by reduction. DADS-E was labeled in ethanol at elevated temperatures while DADT-FA was labeled at room temperature, both by stannous reduction. Paper chromatography showed both to be labeled and reverse-phase HPLC showed multiple peaks for both. Serum stability studies were performed by incubation at 37 °C with aliquots removed at 1 min and 1 day for analysis by size-exclusion HPLC. Initially, little pertechnetate or binding to serum proteins was observed whereas after 1 day the majority of activity in both cases was protein bound with 20 and 38% pertechnetate appearing for DADT-FA and DADS-E respectively. In conclusion, small biologically active molecules may be labeled with ^99mTc through an attached diaminodithiol or diaminodisulfide group.     

Synthesis, characterization, and labeling with 99mTc/188Re of peptide conjugates containing a dithia-bisphosphine chelating agent

Radiolabeling of small receptor-avid peptides at specific predetermined chelation sites with radioactive metals has been an effective approach for production of target-specific radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Among various electron-donating groups found on chelator frameworks, phosphines are unique because they display versatile coordination chemistry with a wide range of transition metals. We have recently reported the utility of a dithia-bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphine-based (P2S2) bifunctional chelating agent (BFCA) containing air-stable primary phosphine groups to form 99mTc-labeled receptor-avid peptides by the preconjugation approach. Here we report a novel strategy for labeling small peptides with both 99mTc and 188Re using the P2S2-COOH (6,8-bis[3-(bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphanyl)propylsulfanyl]octanoic acid) BFCA by a postconjugation radiolabeling approach. The first step in this approach involves the coupling of the corresponding (PH2)2S2-COOH intermediate to the N-terminus of the peptide(s). Formylation of P-H bonds with aqueous formaldehyde in the presence of HCl in ethanol affords the corresponding (hydroxymethyl)phosphine-P2S2-peptide conjugates in the form of an oxidatively stable phosphonium salt. The P2S2-peptide conjugates are generated (where the PH2 groups are converted to P(CH2OH)2 groups) by treatment of the P2S2-peptide phosphonium salt(s) with 1 M sodium bicarbonate solution at pH 8.5. Complexation of BFCA conjugates with 99mTc is achieved by direct reduction with Sn(II) tartarate to yield the 99mTc-P2S2-peptide conjugate in near quantitative yields. Complexation of the BFCA conjugates with 188Re is achieved by transchelation with 188Re citrate in yields of >/=90%. In this study, (PH2)2S2-COOH BFCA was conjugated to model peptides. The glycineglycine ethyl ester (GlyGlyOEt)-(PH2)2S2-COOH BFCA conjugate was converted to the hydroxymethylene phosphine form and complexed with 99mTc to produce the 99mTcO2-P2S2-GlyGlyOEt conjugate 8 in RCPs of >/=95%. This singular 99mTc product is stable over 24 h in aqueous solution as confirmed by HPLC. Identical retention times of the 99mTcO2-P2S2-GlyGlyOEt complex and its cold rhenium analogue (ReO2-P2S2-GlyGlyOEt) on HPLC indicates similarity in structures at the macroscopic and the tracer levels. The utility of this postconjugation strategy was further demonstrated by synthesizing a P2S2-D-Lys6-LHRH conjugate and producing its corresponding 99mTc complex in RCPs of >/=88%. Finally, the P2S2-5-Ava-BBN[7-14]NH2 bombesin (BBN) analogue was synthesized, the PH2 groups converted to P(CH2OH)2 groups and subsequently labeled with 188Re to yield a 188Re-labeled bombesin analogue with a RCP of >/=90%. The biological integrity of this conjugate was demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the (PH2)2S2-COOH BFCA can be conveniently used as a precursor for labeling small receptor-avid peptides with diagnostic (99mTc) and therapeutic (188Re) radionuclides via the postconjugation approach in high yields.     

Microwave-supported preparation of (68)Ga bioconjugates with high specific radioactivity

The generator-produced positron-emitting (68)Ga (T(1/2) = 68 min) is of potential interest for clinical PET. (68)Ga as a metallic cation is suitable for complexation reactions with chelators, naked or conjugated, with peptides or other macromolecules. Large (68)Ga generator eluate volumes, metal traces from the generator column material, or reaction reagents, however, disturb a fast, reliable, and quantitative labeling procedure. In this paper we describe a simple technique, based on anion exchange, aiming first, to increase the (68)Ga concentration, second to purify it from competing impurities, and third to obtain a fast and quantitative (68)Ga-labeled peptide conjugate that can be applied in humans without further purification. Within 5 min one can obtain from the original 6 mL generator eluate a 200 microL (68)Ga preparation (volume reduction by a factor 30) that is suitable for direct and quantitative labeling of peptide conjugates. DOTATOC (DOTA-D-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide, DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) was used as a test tracer for comparing the labeling properties of the different (68)Ga preparations. In combination with microwave heating, peptide conjugates of 0.5-1 nmol quantities could be labeled within 10 min with the full (68)Ga activity of a generator. Further purification of the (68)Ga-labeled peptide conjugate was no longer required since the nuclide incorporation was quantitative. The specific radioactivity (with respect to the peptide) was improved by a factor approximately 100 compared to the previously applied techniques using the original generator eluate. The commercial (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator from Obninsk in combination with this system for purification and concentration with an integrated microwave-supported labeling technology resulted in a kitlike technology for (68)Ga-tracer production. The first automated prototype using this technology is being tested.