Are heterobivalent GRPR- and VPAC1R-bispecific radiopeptides suitable for efficient in vivo tumor imaging of prostate carcinomas?

Receptor-specific peptides labeled with positron emitters play an important role in the clinical imaging of several malignancies by positron emission tomography (PET). Radiolabeled heterobivalent bispecific peptidic ligands (HBPLs) can target more than one receptor type and by this - besides exhibiting other advantages - increase tumor imaging sensitivity. In the present study, we show the initial in vivo evaluation of the most potent heterobivalent gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)- and vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor subtype 1 (VPAC1R)-bispecific radiotracer and determined its tumor visualization potential via PET/CT imaging. For this purpose, the most potent described HBPL was synthesized together with its partly scrambled heterobivalent monospecific homologs and its monovalent counterparts. The agents were efficiently labeled with 68Ga3+ and evaluated in an initial PET/CT tumor imaging study in a human prostate carcinoma (PCa) xenograft rat tumor model established for this purpose. None of the three 68Ga-HBPLs enabled a clear tumor visualization and a considerably higher involvement in receptor-mediated uptake was found for the GRPR-binding part of the molecule than for the VPAC1R-binding one. Of the monovalent radiotracers, only [68Ga]Ga-NODA-GA-PESIN could efficiently delineate the tumor, confirming the results. Thus, this work sets the direction for future developments in the field of GRPR- and VPAC1R-bispecific radioligands, which should be based on other VPAC1R-specific peptides than PACAP-27.

A New, Second Generation Trithiol Bifunctional Chelate for 72,77As: Trithiol(b)-(Ser)2-RM2.

Trithiol chelates are suitable for labeling radioarsenic (72As: 2.49 MeV ß+, 26 h; 77As: 0.683 MeV ß-, 38.8 h) to form potential theranostic radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and therapy. A trithiol(b)-(Ser)2-RM2 bioconjugate and its arsenic complex were synthesized and characterized. The trithiol(b)-(Ser)2-RM2 bioconjugate was radiolabeled with no-carrier-added 77As in over 95% radiochemical yield and was stable for over 48 h, and in vitro IC50 cell binding studies of [77As]As-trithiol(b)-(Ser)2-RM2 in PC-3 cells demonstrated high affinity for the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (low nanomolar range). Limited biodistribution studies in normal mice were performed with HPLC purified 77As-trithiol(b)-(Ser)2-RM2 demonstrating both pancreatic uptake and hepatobiliary clearance.

Preclinical Evaluation of Novel 64Cu-Labeled Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Bioconjugates for PET Imaging of Prostate Cancer.

We report herein the preclinical evaluation of new [64Cu]Cu-gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-targeting tracers, employing the potent peptide antagonist DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-VaI-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2 conjugated to NOTA (in 1) or NODAGA (in 2) chelators via a 6-aminohexanoic acid linker. The Cu-1/2 metalated peptides were synthesized by reacting 1/2 with CuCl2 and were characterized by LC-ESI-MS and HR-ESI-MS. Cu-1/2 exhibited high GRPR-binding affinities with IC50 values <3 nM, as measured in a competition assay using the GRPR-expressing human PC-3 prostate cancer cell line and [125I]I-Tyr4-BBN as the competing ligand. Tracers [64Cu]Cu-1/2 were prepared in quantitative radiochemical yield (by radio-HPLC), and their identities were confirmed by coelution with their Cu-1/2 standards via comparative HPLC studies. Lipophilicity was measured in 1-octanol/PBS (pH 7.4), and the negative log D7.4 values (≤-1) confirmed the anticipated hydrophilic character for [64Cu]Cu-1/2. Both tracers demonstrated excellent in vitro stability, with ≥98% remaining intact through 24 h at physiological conditions (PBS, pH 7.4, 37 °C). Biodistribution in PC-3 tumor-bearing mice demonstrated good tumor uptake (%ID/g at 4 h: 4.34 ± 0.71 for [64Cu]Cu-1, 3.92 ± 1.03 for [64Cu]Cu-2) and rapid renal clearance (≥87% ID at 4 h). Tumor uptake was receptor-mediated, as verified by parallel GRPR-blocking studies. Small-animal PET/CT imaging studies validated the biodistribution data. These preclinical data support that the [64Cu]Cu-1/2 tracers show promise for further development as diagnostic PET imaging agents of GRPR-expressing tumors.

Gastrin releasing peptide receptor targeted nano-graphene oxide for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor that occurs in the oral mucosa. Pathological biopsy is still the current gold standard for OSCC diagnosis; however, some drawbacks need to be overcome. Therefore, it is urgently needed to find a non-invasive targeted technology for OSCC early diagnosis. Fluorescent optical imaging using near infrared (NIR) dyes tagged to tumor specific target will benefit such developments. Gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is an attractive target for OSCC imaging and therapy. In this study, we synthesized nano-graphene oxide (NGO) nanoparticles with GRPR-specific peptides AF750-6Ahx-Sta-BBN via hydrogen bond and π-π bonds (NGO-BBN-AF750), and investigated their receptor binding, cell uptake and internalization in HSC-3 cells. NGO-BBN-AF750 and AF750-6Ahx-Sta-BBN showed a similar binding affinity to GRPR on HSC-3 cells. In contrast to AF750-6Ahx-Sta-BBN antagonist peptide, NGO-BBN-AF750 showed cellular internalization property. Overall, this study proposes a NGO nanoclusters-based nanoprobe for GRPR targeted near-infrared fluorescence imaging for OSCC. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have shown highly significant potential in the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic agents.

Functional Hybrid Molecules for the Visualization of Cancer: PESIN-Homodimers Combined with Multimodal Molecular Imaging Probes for Positron Emission Tomography and Optical Imaging: Suited for Tracking of GRPR-Positive Malignant Tissue*.

We describe multimodal imaging probes for gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-specific targeting suited for positron emission tomography and optical imaging (PET/OI), consisting of PESIN (PEG3 -BBN7-14 ) dimers connected to multimodal imaging subunits. These multimodal agents comprise a fluorescent dye for OI and the chelator ((1,4,7-triazacyclononane-4,7-diyl)diacetic acid-1-glutaric acid) (NODA-GA) for PET radiometal isotope labelling. Special focus was put on the influence of the used dyes on the properties of the whole bioconjugates. For this, several compounds with different fluorescent dyes and non-dye carrying subunits were synthesized and investigated. As fluorescent dyes, dansyl, NBD, derivatives of fluorescein, coumarin and rhodamine as well as three pyrilium-based dyes were employed. Considerable influence of the charge of the colored unit on hydrophilicity as well as in vitro target receptor binding was observed and classified. High radiochemical yields and purities were found during radiolabeling of the multimodal imaging subunits as well as their GRPR-specific bioconjugates with 68 Ga. Examinations of the photophysical properties of both molecule species displayed no loss or alteration of fluorescence characteristics.

On-cell saturation transfer difference NMR study of Bombesin binding to GRP receptor.

We report the NMR characterization of the molecular interaction between Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-R) and its natural ligand bombesin (BN). GRP-R is a transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor promoting the stimulation of cancer cell proliferation; in addition, being overexpressed on the surface of different human cancer cell lines, it is ideal for the development of new strategies for the selective targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and diagnostic devices to tumor cells. However, the design of new GRP-R binders requires structural information on receptor interaction with its natural ligands. The experimental protocol presented herein, based on on-cell STD NMR techniques, is a powerful tool for the screening and the epitope mapping of GRP-R ligands aimed at the development of new anticancer and diagnostic tools. Notably, the study can be carried out in a physiological environment, at the surface of tumoral cells overespressing GRP-R. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an NMR experiment able to detect and investigate the structural determinants of BN/GRP-R interaction.

Radiolabeled GRPR Antagonists for Imaging of Disseminated Prostate Cancer - Influence of Labeling Chemistry on Targeting Properties.

BACKGROUND: Radionuclide molecular imaging of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRPR) expression promises unparalleled opportunities for visualizing subtle prostate tumors, which due to small size, adjacent benign tissue, or a challenging location would otherwise remain undetected by conventional imaging. Achieving high imaging contrast is essential for this purpose and the molecular design of any probe for molecular imaging of prostate cancer should be aimed at obtaining as high tumor-to-organ ratios as possible. OBJECTIVE: This short review summarizes the key imaging modalities currently used in prostate cancer, with a special focus on radionuclide molecular imaging. Emphasis is laid mainly on the issue of radiometals labeling chemistry and its influence on the targeting properties and biodistribution of radiolabeled GRPR antagonists for imaging of disseminated prostate cancer. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus library databases was conducted to find relevant articles. RESULTS: The combination of radionuclide, chelator and required labeling chemistry was shown to have a significant influence on the stability, binding affinity and internalization rate, off-target interaction with normal tissues and blood proteins, interaction with enzymes, activity uptake and retention in excretory organs and activity uptake in tumors of radiolabeled bombesin antagonistic analogues. CONCLUSION: Labeling chemistry has a very strong impact on the biodistribution profile of GRPRtargeting peptide based imaging probes and needs to be considered when designing a targeting probe for high contrast molecular imaging. Taking into account the complexity of in vivo interactions, it is not currently possible to accurately predict the optimal labeling approach. Therefore, a detailed in vivo characterization and optimization is essential for the rational design of imaging agents.

Stability Evaluation and Stabilization of a Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRPR) Targeting Imaging Pharmaceutical.

The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) are identified as important targets on prostate cancer. Receptor-targeting radiolabeled imaging pharmaceuticals with high affinity and specificity are useful in studying and monitoring biological processes and responses. Two potential imaging pharmaceuticals, AMBA agonist (where AMBA = DO3A-CH2CO-G-[4-aminobenzyl]- Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-NH2) and RM1 antagonist (where RM1 = DO3A-CH2CO-G-[4-aminobenzyl]-D-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2), have demonstrated high binding affinity (IC50) to GRP receptors and high tumor uptake. Antagonists, despite the poor tumor cell internalization properties, can show clearer images and pharmacokinetic profiles by virtue of their higher tumor uptake in animal models compared to agonists. For characterization, development, and translation of a potential imaging pharmaceutical into the clinic, it must be evaluated in a series of tests, including in vitro cell binding assays, in vitro buffer and serum stability studies, the biodistribution of the radiolabeled material, and finally imaging studies in preclinical animal models. Data related to acetate buffer, mouse, canine, and human sera stability of 177Lu-labeled RM1 are presented here and compared with the acetate buffer and sera stability data of AMBA agonist. The samples of 177Lu-labeled RM1 with a high radioconcentration degrade faster than low-radioconcentration samples upon storage at 2-8 °C. Addition of stabilizers, ascorbic acid and gentisic acid, improve the stability of 177Lu-labeled RM1 significantly with gentisic acid being more efficient than ascorbic acid as a stabilizer. The degradation kinetics of 177Lu-labeled AMBA and RM1 in sera follow the order (fastest to slowest): mouse > canine > human sera. Finally, 177Lu-labeled RM1 antagonist is slower to degrade in mouse, canine, and human sera than 177Lu-labeled AMBA agonist, further suggesting that an antagonist is a more promising candidate than agonist for the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and therapy of prostate cancer patients.

A coupling of homology modeling with multiple molecular dynamics simulation for identifying representative conformation of GPCR structures: a case study on human bombesin receptor subtype-3.

In this study, a computational pipeline was therefore devised to overcome homology modeling (HM) bottlenecks. The coupling of HM with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is useful in that it tackles the sampling deficiency of dynamics simulations by providing good-quality initial guesses for the native structure. Indeed, HM also relaxes the severe requirement of force fields to explore the huge conformational space of protein structures. In this study, the interaction between the human bombesin receptor subtype-3 and MK-5046 was investigated integrating HM, molecular docking, and MD simulations. To improve conformational sampling in typical MD simulations of GPCRs, as in other biomolecules, multiple trajectories with different initial conditions can be employed rather than a single long trajectory. Multiple MD simulations of human bombesin receptor subtype-3 with different initial atomic velocities are applied to sample conformations in the vicinity of the structure generated by HM. The backbone atom conformational space distribution of replicates is analyzed employing principal components analysis. As a result, the averages of structural and dynamic properties over the twenty-one trajectories differ significantly from those obtained from individual trajectories.

Structural Determinants in the Binding of BB2 Receptor Ligands: In Silico, X-Ray and NMR Studies in PD176252 Analogues.

BACKGROUND: The mammalian bombesin receptor family comprises three G proteincoupled receptors: the neuromedin B receptor, the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (BB2), and the bombesin receptor subtype 3. BB2 receptor plays a role in gastrointestinal functions; however, at present the role of this subtype in physiological and pathological conditions is unknown due to the lack of specific binders for all subclasses of bombesin receptors. RESULTS: Here, we present a study focused on the properties of the peptoid bombesin antagonist called PD176252, and other structural analogues with the aim to elucidate causes of their different affinity towards the BB2 receptor. CONCLUSION: By means of computational techniques, based on QSAR, docking and homology building, supported by experimental data (X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy) fresh insights on binding modes of this class of biological targets were achieved.

Towards the Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers Using Protein-based MRI Contrast Agents.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for man with a high mortality rate due to a lack of non-invasive accurate and sensitive molecular diagnostic methods. The molecular imaging of cancer biomarkers using MRI with its spatial and temporal resolution, however, is largely limited by the lack of contrast agents with high sensitivity, targeting specificity and deep tumor penetration. In this review, we will first overview the current stage of prostate cancer diagnosis and then review prostate cancer biomarkers and related imaging techniques. Since biomarker targeting moieties are essential for molecular imaging, we will use prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an example to discuss different methods to characterize the interaction between biomarker and targeting moieties. At the end, we will review current progress of the development of targeted protein-based MRI contrast agents (ProCAs) for prostate cancer biomarkers with improved relaxivity and targeting capability.

GRPR-targeted Protein Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Receptor Expression in Cancers by MRI.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is differentially expressed on the surfaces of various diseased cells, including prostate and lung cancer. However, monitoring temporal and spatial expression of GRPR in vivo by clinical MRI is severely hampered by the lack of contrast agents with high relaxivity, targeting capability and tumor penetration. Here, we report the development of a GRPR-targeted MRI contrast agent by grafting the GRPR targeting moiety into a scaffold protein with a designed Gd(3+) binding site (ProCA1.GRPR). In addition to its strong binding affinity for GRPR (Kd = 2.7 nM), ProCA1.GRPR has high relaxivity (r1 = 42.0 mM(-1)s(-1) at 1.5 T and 25 °C) and strong Gd(3+) selectivity over physiological metal ions. ProCA1.GRPR enables in vivo detection of GRPR expression and spatial distribution in both PC3 and H441 tumors in mice using MRI. ProCA1.GRPR is expected to have important preclinical and clinical implications for the early detection of cancer and for monitoring treatment effects.

Next Step toward Optimization of GRP Receptor Avidities: Determination of the Minimal Distance between BBN(7-14) Units in Peptide Homodimers.

As the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is overexpressed on several tumor types, it represents a promising target for the specific in vivo imaging of these tumors using positron emission tomography (PET). We were able to show that PESIN-based peptide multimers can result in substantially higher GRPR avidities, highly advantageous in vivo pharmacokinetics and tumor imaging properties compared to the respective monomers. However, the minimal distance between the peptidic binders, resulting in the lowest possible system entropy while enabling a concomitant GRPR binding and thus optimized receptor avidities, has not been determined so far. Thus, we aimed here to identify the minimal distance between two GRPR-binding peptides in order to provide the basis for the development of highly avid GRPR-specific PET imaging agents. We therefore synthesized dimers of the GRPR-binding bombesin analogue BBN(7-14) on a dendritic scaffold, exhibiting different distances between both peptide binders. The homodimers were further modified with the chelator NODAGA, radiolabeled with (68)Ga, and evaluated in vitro regarding their GRPR avidity. We found that the most potent of the newly developed radioligands exhibits GRPR avidity twice as high as the most potent reference compound known so far, and that a minimal distance of 62 bond lengths between both peptidic binders within the homodimer can result in concomitant peptide binding and optimal GRPR avidities. These findings answer the question as to what molecular design should be chosen when aiming at the development of highly avid homobivalent peptidic ligands addressing the GRPR.

Targeting neuropeptide receptors for cancer imaging and therapy: perspectives with bombesin, neurotensin, and neuropeptide-Y receptors.

Receptors for some regulatory peptides are highly expressed in tumors. Selective radiolabeled peptides can bind with high affinity and specificity to these receptors and exhibit favorable pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties, making them suitable agents for imaging or targeted therapy. The success encountered with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is probably the first of a long list, as multiple peptide receptors are now recognized as potential targets. This review focuses on 3 neuropeptide receptor systems (bombesin, neurotensin, and neuropeptide-Y) that offer high potential in the field of nuclear oncology. The underlying biology of these peptide/receptor systems, their physiologic and pathologic roles, and their differential distribution in normal and tumoral tissues are described with emphasis on breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Radiolabeled analogs that selectively target these receptors are highlighted.

The effect of mini-PEG-based spacer length on binding and pharmacokinetic properties of a 68Ga-labeled NOTA-conjugated antagonistic analog of bombesin.

The overexpression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in cancer can be used for peptide-receptor mediated radionuclide imaging and therapy. We have previously shown that an antagonist analog of bombesin RM26 conjugated to 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid (NOTA) via a diethyleneglycol (PEG2) spacer (NOTA-PEG2-RM26) and labeled with 68Ga can be used for imaging of GRPR-expressing tumors. In this study, we evaluated if a variation of mini-PEG spacer length can be used for optimization of targeting properties of the NOTA-conjugated RM26. A series of analogs with different PEG-length (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) was synthesized, radiolabeled and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The IC50 values of natGa-NOTA-PEGn-RM26 (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) were 3.1 ± 0.2, 3.9 ± 0.3, 5.4 ± 0.4 and 5.8 ± 0.3 nM, respectively. In normal mice all conjugates demonstrated similar biodistribution pattern, however 68Ga-NOTA-PEG3-RM26 showed lower liver uptake. Biodistribution of 68Ga-NOTA-PEG3-RM26 was evaluated in nude mice bearing PC-3 (prostate cancer) and BT-474 (breast cancer) xenografts. High uptake in tumors (4.6 ± 0.6%ID/g and 2.8 ± 0.4%ID/g for PC-3 and BT-474 xenografts, respectively) and high tumor-to-background ratios (tumor/blood of 44 ± 12 and 42 ± 5 for PC-3 and BT-474 xenografts, respectively) were found already at 2 h p.i. of 68Ga-NOTA-PEG3-RM26. Results of this study suggest that variation in the length of the PEG spacer can be used for optimization of targeting properties of peptide-chelator conjugates. However, the influence of the mini-PEG length on biodistribution is minor when di-, tri-, tetra- and hexaethylene glycol are compared.

A solvent resistant lab-on-chip platform for radiochemistry applications.

The application of microfluidics to the synthesis of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers has been explored for more than a decade. Microfluidic benefits such as superior temperature control have been successfully applied to PET tracer synthesis. However, the design of a compact microfluidic platform capable of executing a complete PET tracer synthesis workflow while maintaining prospects for commercialization remains a significant challenge. This study uses an integral system design approach to tackle commercialization challenges such as the material to process compatibility with a path towards cost effective lab-on-chip mass manufacturing from the start. It integrates all functional elements required for a simple PET tracer synthesis into one compact radiochemistry platform. For the lab-on-chip this includes the integration of on-chip valves, on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE), on-chip reactors and a reversible fluid interface while maintaining compatibility with all process chemicals, temperatures and chip mass manufacturing techniques. For the radiochemistry device it includes an automated chip-machine interface enabling one-move connection of all valve actuators and fluid connectors. A vial-based reagent supply as well as methods to transfer reagents efficiently from the vials to the chip has been integrated. After validation of all those functional elements, the microfluidic platform was exemplarily employed for the automated synthesis of a Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) binding the PEGylated Bombesin BN(7-14)-derivative ([(18)F]PESIN) based PET tracer.

Conjugation with receptor-targeted histidine-rich peptides enhances the pharmacological effectiveness of antisense oligonucleotides.

Ineffective delivery to intracellular sites of action is one of the key limitations to the use of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents. Here, we describe molecular scale antisense oligonucleotide conjugates that bind selectively to a cell surface receptor, are internalized, and then partially escape from nonproductive endosomal locations to reach their sites of action in the nucleus. Peptides that include bombesin sequences for receptor targeting and a run of histidine residues for endosomal disruption were covalently linked to a splice switching antisense oligonucleotide. The conjugates were tested for their ability to correct splicing and up-regulate expression of a luciferase reporter in prostate cancer cells that express the bombesin receptor. We found that trivalent conjugates that included both the targeting sequence and several histidine residues were substantially more effective than conjugates containing only the bombesin or histidine moieties. This demonstrates the potential of creating molecular scale oligonucleotide conjugates with both targeting and endosome escape capabilities.

Tumor diagnosis with new 111In-radioligands based on truncated human gastrin releasing peptide sequences: synthesis and preclinical comparison.

Radiolabeled analogs of the frog tetradecapeptide bombesin (BBN) have been proposed for diagnosis and therapy of gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-expressing tumors. Following a different and yet unexplored approach, we have developed four novel (111)In-labeled truncated analogs of the human 27-mer GRP after conjugation of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) at the N-terminus of GRP(13/14/17/18-27) fragments. Analog affinities for the human GRPR determined against [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BBN were at the nanomolar level and dependent on truncation site. The respective (111)In radioligands specifically internalized in GRPR-expressing PC-3 cells. The shorter chain [(111)In-DOTA]GRP(17/18-27) analogs showed higher metabolic stability in mice. Radioligands specifically localized in human PC-3 xenografts in SCID mice, with [(111)In-DOTA]GRP(17-27) exhibiting the most favorable pharmacokinetic profile. This study has demonstrated the efficacy of human GRP-based radiopeptides to target GRPR-positive lesions in vivo and has revealed the impact of GRP chain length on key biological parameters of resulting radiotracers.

Design, synthesis and anti-itch activity evaluation of aromatic amino acid derivatives as gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonists.

Eight aromatic amino acid derivatives (9a-9h) as gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) antagonists were designed and synthesized. For the design, the tertiary structure of GRPR was predicted by blast searching in the premise of 1u19 protein as the template. Eight target compounds were docked into the binding pocket to investigate their possible binding interactions. Their anti-itch activities were tested by intrathecal injection using Kunming mice as experimental animals and chloroquine phosphate as a modeling medium. Compounds 9e and 9f significantly inhibited scratching behaviors. The anti-itch activities of these compounds decreased with the following sequence: 9e > 9f = 9d > 9b > 9g > 9a > 9h > 9c predicted by computer-aided drug design (CADD) and 9e > 9f > 9b > 9h > 9g > 9d > 9a > 9c evaluated by preliminary test. They were broadly in line with activity order pretested by CADD. It showed that the predicted tertiary structure of GRPR could be used for antipruritic drug design.

Kit for preparation of multimeric receptor-specific 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals based on gold nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Multivalency is a design principle by which organized arrays amplify the strength of a binding process, such as the binding of multimeric peptides to specific receptors located on cell surfaces. The conjugation of peptides to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produces biocompatible and stable multimeric systems with target-specific molecular recognition. AIM: The aim of this research was to develop a kit for technetium-99m (99mTc) labelling of AuNPs that are conjugated to Lys³-bombesin, cyclo[Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys-(Cys)] or thiol-mannose to produce receptor-specific multimeric systems. METHODS: A freeze-dried kit formulation for the instant preparation of 99mTc-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (EDDA)/hydrazinonicotinyl (HYNIC)-Tyr³-octreotide (99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC) (vial 1) and a second vial containing 1.5 ml of AuNP solution (1 nM, 20 nm diameter, surface area=1260 nm², 37,000 surface Au atoms, 1.05 × 10 particles) plus 10 µl of Lys³-bombesin, cyclo[Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys-(Cys)] or mannose (50 µM, approximately 285 molecules per AuNP) (vial 2) were prepared. Multimeric radiopharmaceuticals were prepared by adding 1 ml of 0.2 mol/l phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and 1 ml of 99mTcO4⁻ (4 GBq) to vial 1, and the mixture was incubated at 92°C for 20 min in a dry block heater. A total of 100 µl (200 MBq) of 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC solution (122 HYNIC-TOC molecules per AuNP) was added to vial 2. No further purification was carried out. Radiochemical purity was determined by instant thin-layer chromatography-silica gel/2-butanone (Rf values for the radiolabelled AuNP and 99mTcO4⁻ were 0.0 and 1.0, respectively), ultrafiltration, size-exclusion high-pressure liquid chromatography and a PD-10 column. The conjugates were characterized by ultraviolet-visible, far-infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In-vitro binding studies were carried out in ανß3 receptor-positive C6 glioma cancer cells, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-positive PC3 cancer cells or mannose receptor-positive rat liver cells. Biodistribution studies were carried out in athymic mice with induced tumours (PC-3 or C6 cancer cells) or in Wistar rats (99mTc-AuNP-mannose for sentinel lymph node detection). Images were obtained using a micro-single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography system. RESULTS: Radiochemical purity was 96 ± 2% for all of the multimeric radiopharmaceuticals. Far-infrared showed a characteristic band at 279 ± 1 cm⁻¹, which was assigned to the Au-S bond. ultraviolet-visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy also indicated that the AuNPs were functionalized with peptides or mannose. Radiopharmaceuticals showed specific recognition for receptors expressed in cancer cells or rat liver cells. Micro-single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images showed clear tumour uptake and lymph node accumulation. The kit (i.e. vial 1 and vial 2) demonstrated excellent stability during storage at 4°C for 6 months. CONCLUSION: Multimeric systems of 99mTc-AuNP-peptide/mannose prepared from kits exhibited properties suitable for use as target-specific agents for molecular imaging of tumours and sentinel lymph node detection.