Mixed tridentate π -donor and monodentate π -acceptor ligands as chelating systems for rhenium-188 and technetium-99m nitrido radiopharmaceuticals.

A new molecular metallic fragment for labeling biologically active molecules with 99mTc and 188Re is described. This system is composed of a combination of tridentate π-donor and monodentate π-acceptor ligands bound to a [M Ξ N]2+ group (M = (99m)Tc, 188Re) in a pseudo square-pyramidal geometry. A simple structural model of the new metallic fragment was obtained by reacting the ligand 2, 2'-iminodiethanethiol [H2NS2 = NH(CH2CH2SH)2] and monodentate tertiary phosphines with the [M Ξ N]2+ group (M = (99m)Tc, (188)Re). In the resulting complexes (dubbed3+1complexes), the tridentate ligand binds the [M Ξ N]2+ core through the two deprotonated, negatively charged, thiol sulfur atoms and the neutral, protonated, amine nitrogen atom. The residual fourth position of the five-coordinated arrangement is occupied by a phosphine ligand. The chemical identity of these model (99m)Tc and (188)Re compounds was established by comparison with the chromatographic properties of the corresponding complexes obtained at the macroscopic level with the long-lived (99)Tc and natural Re isotopes. The investigation was further extended to comprise a series of ligands formed by simple combinations of two basic amino acids or pseudo-amino acids to yield potential tridentate chelating systems having [S, N, S] and [N, N, S] as sets of π-donor atoms. Labeling yields and in vitro stability were investigated using different ancillary ligands. Results showed that SNS-type ligands afforded the highest labeling yields and the most robust 3+1 nitrido complexes with both (99m)Tc and (188)Re. Thus, the new chelating system can be conveniently employed for labeling peptides and other biomolecules with the [M Ξ N]2+ group.

Insights into the failure of the potential, neutral myocardial imaging agent TcN-NOET: physicochemical identification of by-products and degradation species.

INTRODUCTION: The neutral complex [(99m)Tc(N)(NOEt)(2)], often referred to as TcN-NOET [NOEt=N-ethoxy,N-ethyldithiocarbamate(1-)], was proposed several years ago as a myocardial imaging agent. Despite some favorable clinical properties evidenced during phase I and phase II studies, the overall results of the European and American phase III clinical studies have been judged insufficient for a successful approval process by the regulatory agencies. METHODS: Non-carrier-added and carrier-added experiments using short-lived (99m)Tc and long-lived (99g)Tc have been utilized to prepare a series of bis-substituted [Tc(N)(DTC)(2)] complexes [DTC=dithiocarbamate(1-)]. They have been purified by means of chromatographic techniques (high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography) and identified via double detection (UV-vis and radiometry) by comparison with authenticated samples of (99g)Tc compounds prepared by conventional coordination chemistry procedures. RESULTS: The molecular structure of the lipophilic, neutral complex cis-[Tc(N)(NOEt)(2)] has been assigned by comparison with similar nitrido-Tc(V) complexes already reported in the literature. Novel bis-substituted nitrido-Tc complexes containing hydrolyzed portions of coordinated NOEt, namely, N-ethyldithiocarbamate [NHEt(1-)] and N-hydroxy, N-ethyldithiocarbamate [NOHEt(1-)], have been prepared and characterized by means of multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the identification of these "hydrolyzed" species, it is still unclear whether the failure to reach the clinical goal of the perfusion tracer [(99m)Tc(N)(NOEt)(2)] is related to the degradation processes evidenced in this study or is the result of the mediocre imaging properties of the tracer.

Parameters optimization defined by statistical analysis for cysteine-dextran radiolabeling with technetium tricarbonyl core.

The objective of this study was the development of a statistical approach for radiolabeling optimization of cysteine-dextran conjugates with Tc-99m tricarbonyl core. This strategy has been applied to the labeling of 2-propylene-S-cysteine-dextran in the attempt to prepare a new class of tracers for sentinel lymph node detection, and can be extended to other radiopharmaceuticals for different targets. The statistical routine was based on three-level factorial design. Best labeling conditions were achieved. The specific activity reached was 5 MBq/µg.

Influence of colloid particle profile on sentinel lymph node uptake.

INTRODUCTION: Particle size of colloids employed for sentinel lymph node (LN) detection is not well studied. This investigation aimed to correlate particle size and distribution of different products with LN uptake. METHODS: All agents (colloidal tin, dextran, phytate and colloidal rhenium sulfide) were labeled with (99m)Tc according to manufacturer's instructions. Sizing of particles was carried out on electron micrographs using Image Tool for Windows (Version 2.0). Biodistribution studies in main excretion organs as well as in popliteal LN were performed in male Wistar rats [30 and 90 min post injection (p.i.)]. The injected dose was 0.1 ml (37 MBq) in the footpad of the left posterior limb. Dynamic images (0-15 min p.i.) as well as static ones (30 and 90 min) were acquired in gamma camera. RESULTS: Popliteal LN was clearly reached by all products. Nevertheless, particle size remarkably influenced node uptake. Colloidal rhenium sulfide, with the smallest diameter (5.1 x 10(-3)+/-3.9 x 10(-3) microm), permitted the best result [2.72+/-0.64 percent injected dose (%ID) at 90 min]. Phytate displayed small particles (<15 microm) with favorable uptake (1.02+/-0.14%ID). Dextran (21.4+/-12.8 microm) and colloidal tin (39.0+/-8.3 microm) were less effective (0.55+/-0.14 and 0.06+/-0.03%ID respectively). Particle distribution also tended to influence results. When asymmetric, it was associated with biphasic uptake which increased over time; conversely, symmetric distribution (colloidal tin) was consistent with a constant pattern. CONCLUSION: The results are suggesting that particle size and symmetry may interfere with LN radiopharmaceutical uptake.

Cellular uptake of (99m)TcN-NOET in human leukaemic HL-60 cells is related to calcium channel activation and cell proliferation.

PURPOSE: A major goal of nuclear oncology is the development of new radiolabelled tracers as proliferation markers. Intracellular calcium waves play a fundamental role in the course of the cell cycle. These waves occur in non-excitable tumour cells via store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs). Bis(N-ethoxy, N-ethyldithiocarbamato) nitrido technetium (V)-99m ((99m)TcN-NOET) has been shown to interact with L-type voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) in cultured cardiomyocytes. Considering the analogy between VOCCs and SOCCs, we sought to determine whether (99m)TcN-NOET also binds to activated SOCCs in tumour cells in order to clarify the potential value of this tracer as a proliferation marker. METHODS: Uptake kinetics of (99m)TcN-NOET were measured in human leukaemic HL-60 cells over 60 min and the effect of several calcium channel modulators on 1-min tracer uptake was studied. The uptake kinetics of (99m)TcN-NOET were compared both with the variations of cytosolic free calcium concentration measured by indo-1/AM and with the variations in the SG2M cellular proliferation index. RESULTS: All calcium channel inhibitors significantly decreased the cellular uptake of (99m)TcN-NOET whereas the activator thapsigargin induced a significant 10% increase. In parallel, SOCC activation by thapsigargin, as measured using the indo-1/AM probe, was inhibited by nicardipine. These results indicate that the uptake of (99m)TcN-NOET is related to the activation of SOCCs. Finally, a correlation was observed between the tracer uptake and variations in the proliferation index SG2M. CONCLUSION: The uptake of (99m)TcN-NOET seems to be related to SOCC activation and to cell proliferation in HL-60 cells. These results indicate that (99m)TcN-NOET might be a marker of cell proliferation.

Differential effects of cyclodextrins and derivatives on the biological behavior of the myocardial perfusion imaging agent 99mTcN-NOET.

In addition to improving drug solubilization, cyclodextrins (CDs) also affect the biological behavior of the included compound. We evaluated the effects of two natural CDs beta-CD and gamma-CD, and six beta-CD derivatives, Dimeb, Trimeb, SBb, 2-HP, 6AD, and 6 MTU on the biological behavior of (99m)TcN-NOET, a technetium-99m-labeled, lipophilic compound readily detectable through radioactivity assessment. Determination of CDs' affinities for (99m)TcN-NOET indicated that the cavity size of gamma-CD was not suitable for (99m)TcN-NOET inclusion, and that beta-CD derivatization mostly resulted in decreased CDs affinities for (99m)TcN-NOET to various extents compared with the natural beta-CD. In vitro and ex vivo experiments performed on newborn rat cardiomyocytes and isolated perfused rat hearts, respectively, showed 1.7- and 2.3-fold maximal differences in (99m)TcN-NOET cellular and tissue activities. Regression analyzes indicated no significant correlation between these observed biological differences and the affinities of the eight CDs tested for (99m)TcN-NOET or for cellular membranes. In conclusion, CD derivatization often resulted in impaired affinity of the derivatives for the lipophilic compound (99m)TcN-NOET. Moreover, the in vitro and ex vivo biological behavior of (99m)TcN-NOET was greatly affected depending on the CD used for inclusion of the tracer.

Verapamil does not inhibit 99mTcN-NOET uptake in situ in normal or ischemic canine myocardium.

UNLABELLED: Bis(N-ethoxy,N-ethyldithiocarbamato)nitrido technetium (V) ((99m)Tc) ((99m)TcN-NOET) is a new myocardial perfusion imaging agent currently undergoing phase III clinical trials in the United States and in Europe. (99m)TcN-NOET cellular uptake has been shown to be inhibited by the calcium channel inhibitor verapamil in cultured newborn rat cardiomyocytes. However, the effect of verapamil on in situ (99m)TcN-NOET myocardial uptake remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the inhibitory effect of verapamil on the cellular uptake of (99m)TcN-NOET shown in vitro could be reproduced in situ in a canine model of normal and ischemic myocardium. METHODS: (99m)TcN-NOET uptake in normal and ischemic myocardium (70% flow reduction in the left anterior descending coronary artery) was measured in the absence or presence of verapamil (0.015 mg/kg/min x 10 min) in anesthetized, open-chest dogs (n = 17). Control animals were infused with adenosine (0.2 mg/kg/min) to match the verapamil-induced increase in flow. RESULTS: By verapamil treatment, a clinically relevant plasma concentration of the calcium channel inhibitor was attained (mean +/- SEM, 290 +/- 152 ng/mL). In normal myocardium (n = 8), regional blood flow at the time of (99m)TcN-NOET injection was not statistically different in verapamil- and adenosine-treated dogs (1.69 +/- 0.03 vs. 1.61 +/- 0.04 mL/min/g, respectively). (99m)TcN-NOET uptake was slightly higher in the presence of verapamil (0.39 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.01 counts per minute [cpm]/[Bq/kg]/g for adenosine; P = 0.04). However, no significant difference in (99m)TcN-NOET myocardial uptake was observed after normalization of the tracer uptake to regional myocardial blood flow. In ischemic myocardium (n = 9), regional blood flow was lower in verapamil-treated than in adenosine-treated animals (0.22 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.03 mL/min/g; P < 0.05). (99m)TcN-NOET uptake in the ischemic area was not inhibited by verapamil (0.09 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.10 +/- 0.01 cpm/[Bq/kg]/g; P = not significant). CONCLUSION: Verapamil does not inhibit (99m)TcN-NOET uptake in situ in normal and ischemic canine myocardium. These results suggest that verapamil should not affect (99m)TcN-NOET myocardial uptake in patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging.

Synthesis of a Novel Class of Trigonal Bipyramidal Nitrido Tc(V) Complexes with Phosphino-Thiol Ligands. Crystal Structure of [(99g)Tc(N)(L(1))(2)] [L(1) = 2-(Diphenylphosphino)ethanethiolato] and [(99g)Tc(N)(L(5))(2)] [L(5) = 2-(Ditolylphosphino)propanethiolato].

Reactions of the precursor complexes [(99g)Tc(N)Cl(2)(PPh(3))(2)] and [(99g)Tc(N)Cl(4)](-) with phosphine-thiol ligands (HL(n)()) of the type R(2)PCH(2)CH(2)SH (R = phenyl, methoxypropyl), R(2)'PCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)SH (R' = phenyl, tolyl), and R(2)' 'P-o-C(6)H(4)SH (R' ' = phenyl) afforded the five-coordinated, disubstituted nitrido technetium(V) complexes [(99g)Tc(N)(L(n)())(2)]. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, FT IR, and positive FAB MS spectra. Structural characterization of [(99g)Tc(N)(L(1))(2)] (1) [HL(1) = (C(6)H(5))(2)PCH(2)CH(2)SH] and [(99g)Tc(N)(L(5))(2)] (5) [HL(5) = (o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(2)PCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)SH] showed that the bidentate phosphino-thiol ligands are coordinated to the technetium center through the neutral phosphorus atom and the deprotonated thiol sulfur atom. These complexes possess an uncommon trigonal bipyramidal geometry with the two phosphorus atoms occupying the two transaxial positions and the two sulfur atoms on the equatorial plane along with the nitrido nitrogen atom. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, a = 24.84(2) Å, b = 7.327(6) Å, c = 31.52(2) Å, beta = 111.06(10) degrees, and Z = 8. Compound 5 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 11.090(1) Å, b = 14.387(2) Å, c = 11.087(1) Å, beta = 113.62(1) degrees, and Z = 2.