Radiometal Complexes as Pharmacokinetic Modifiers: A Potent 68Ga-Labeled Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Antagonist Based on the Macrocyclic Metal Chelator NODIA-Me.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr) is overexpressed in various cancer types including prostate and breast carcinomas, making it an attractive target for molecular imaging and therapy. In this work, we designed a novel GRPr antagonistic probe comprising metal chelator NODIA-Me. This 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-based chelator forms positively charged metal complexes due to its neutral methylimidazole arms. Because a positive charge at the N-terminus of GRPr conjugates is responsible for high receptor affinity as exemplified by the current gold standard DOTA-RM2, we investigated if a positively charged radiometal complex can be used as a pharmacokinetic modifier to also produce high-affinity GRPr conjugates. In this respect, the bioconjugate NODIA-Me-Ahx-JMV594 was prepared by a combination of solid-phase peptide synthesis and solution-based reactions in a 94% yield. Radiolabeling provided the 68Ga-labeled conjugate in radiochemical yields of >95% and radiochemical purities of >98% with mean molar activities of Am ∼17 MBq nmol-1. The competitive GRPr affinity of the metal-free and 69/71Ga-labeled conjugate was determined to be IC50 = 0.41 ± 0.06 and 1.45 ± 0.06 nM, respectively. The metal-free GRPr antagonist DOTA-RM2 and its corresponding 69/71Ga complex had IC50 values of 1.42 ± 0.07 and 0.98 ± 0.19 nM, respectively. Small-animal PET imaging of mice bearing GRPr(+) PC-3 tumors revealed high radioactivity accumulation in the tumors and in the pancreas as an organ with high levels of GRPr expression. These findings were corroborated by the corresponding ex vivo biodistribution data, in which the tumors and the pancreas exhibited the highest radioactivity accumulation. By coinjection of an excess of NODIA-Me-Ahx-JMV594, uptake in the tumors and GRPr(+) organs was significantly reduced, confirming specific receptor-mediated uptake. The estrogen receptor-positive tumor of a female breast cancer patient was clearly visualized by PET imaging using 68Ga-labeled NODIA-Me-Ahx-JMV594. To summarize, the positive charge at the N-terminus of the conjugate induced by the Ga(NODIA-Me) complex resulted in high GRPr affinity comparable to that of the potent antagonist DOTA-RM2. The conjugate NODIA-Me-Ahx-JMV594 is a promising probe for imaging of GRPr tumors that warrants further evaluation in larger patient cohorts as well as in combination with other radiometals.

225Ac-PSMA-617/177Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: pilot experience.

PURPOSE: Up to 30% of patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) never respond or develop resistance to 177Lu-labeled PSMA-targeted radioligand monotherapy. Single-agent PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (PRLT) with the alpha-emitter 225Ac showed promise against mCRPC but may cause severe and/or persistent xerostomia, which may substantially impair patients' quality-of-life. We hypothesized that when 177Lu-PSMA ligand alone is ineffective, tandem therapy with low-activity 225Ac-PSMA ligand plus full activity of the beta emitter may enhance efficacy while minimizing xerostomia severity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed pilot experience with 1 course of 225Ac-PSMA-617/177Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy in our first 20 patients with mCRPC receiving this intervention after insufficiently responding to 177Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy. This cohort had late-stage/end-stage disease with high baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration (median 215 ng/mL), heavy pre-treatment (abiraterone and/or enzalutamide, and 177Lu-PRLT [median cumulative activity, 26.3 GBq] in 20/20 patients, 100%; docetaxel and/or cabazitaxel in 13/20 patients, 65%), and frequent Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 (8/20 patients, 40%). RESULTS: Median (minimum-maximum) administered activities were 225Ac-PSMA-617, 5.3 (1.5-7.9) MBq, and 177Lu-PSMA-617, 6.9 (5.0-11.6) GBq. Significant responders to tandem therapy received 177Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy as maintenance (median [minimum-maximum]: 1 [0-5] cycle). After a median (minimum-maximum) 22 (14-63) weeks' follow-up, 13/20 patients (65%) had as best biochemical response a PSA decline > 50%. Median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival was 19 (12-26) weeks, and overall survival was 48 (4-92) weeks post-tandem therapy administration. Xerostomia was reported as grade 1 (very mild) in 8/20 patients (40%), grade 2 (mild) in 5/20 (25%), and grade 3/4 in 0/20. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a single course of tandem therapy with low-activity 225Ac-PSMA-617/full-activity 177Lu-PSMA-617 may safely enhance response to PRLT in men with late-stage/end-stage mCRPC while minimizing xerostomia severity. Formal study of this combination is warranted.

Optimized synthesis and indium complex formation with the bifunctional chelator NODIA-Me.

The bifunctional chelator NODIA-Me holds promise for radiopharmaceutical development. NODIA-Me is based on the macrocycle TACN (1,4,7-triazacyclononane) and incorporates two additional methylimidazole arms for metal chelation and an acetic acid residue for bioconjugation. The original two step synthesis was less than optimal due to low yields and the requirement of semi-preparative RP-HPLC purifications. Here, the overall yield for the preparation of NODIA-Me was improved two- to five-fold via two synthetic routes using different protection/deprotection techniques. This way, it was possible (1) to prepare of NODIA-Me on multi-gram scale and (2) to avoid time-consuming HPLC purifications. Inspired by recent results with nat/68Ga3+, preliminary studies on the radiolabeling properties and complex formation of NODIA-Me with nat/111In3+ were performed. Quantitative radiochemical yields were achieved at ambient temperature providing molar activities of ∼30 MBq nmol-1, which could be increased to ∼240 MBq nmol-1 at 95 °C. At r.t., pH 5.5 was optimal for 111In-labeling, but quantitative yields were also achieved in the pH range from 5.5 to 8.2, when the reaction temperature was increased. Stability tests of 111In complexes in vitro revealed high kinetic stabilities in serum and ligand challenge experiments, which is a consequence of the formation of rigid 1 : 1 indium chelates as shown by NMR studies in solution. In summary, the new synthetic routes afford the BFC NODIA-Me in high yields and on large scale. Further, 111In complexation experiments broaden the scope of our chelating system for radiopharmaceutical applications.

[161Tb]Tb-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy in patients with mCRPC: preliminary dosimetry results and intra-individual head-to-head comparison to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617.

Rationale: Evaluation of alternative radionuclides for use in prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) is currently focusing on 161Tb, which may provide advantages by emitting additional Auger and conversion electrons. In this pilot study, we present preliminary dosimetry data for [161Tb]Tb-PSMA-617 RLT in a direct comparison with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Method: Six patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) underwent treatment with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and subsequently - after inadequate response - with [161Tb]Tb-PSMA-617. Whole-body planar and SPECT imaging-based dosimetry of organs at risk (kidneys and salivary glands) and tumor lesions were calculated using IDAC for 177Lu and OLINDA/EXM for 161Tb. The therapeutic index (TI) of mean tumor-absorbed doses over relevant organs at risk was calculated. Results: Mean absorbed doses to organs at risk of PSMA-RLT were slightly higher for [161Tb]Tb-PSMA-617 compared to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (kidneys: 0.643 ± 0.247 vs. 0.545 ± 0.231 Gy/GBq, factor 1.18; parotid gland: 0.367 ± 0.198 vs. 0.329 ± 0.180 Gy/GBq, factor 1.10), but markedly higher regarding tumor lesions (6.10 ± 6.59 vs 2.59 ± 3.30 Gy/GBq, factor 2.40, p < 0.001). Consequently, the mean TI was higher for [161Tb]Tb-PSMA-617 compared to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 for both, the kidneys (11.54 ± 9.74 vs. 5.28 ± 5.13, p = 0.002) and the parotid gland (16.77 ± 13.10 vs. 12.51 ± 18.09, p = 0.008). Conclusion: In this intra-individual head-to-head pilot study, [161Tb]Tb-PSMA-617 delivered higher tumor-absorbed doses and resulted in superior TI compared to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. This preliminary data support 161Tb as a promising radionuclide for PSMA-RLT in mCRPC.

Molecular imaging and biochemical response assessment after a single cycle of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617/[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy in mCRPC patients who have progressed on [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy.

Rationale: Despite the promising results of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted 177Lu radioligand therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (mCRPC), some patients do not respond and other patients with initially good response develop resistance to this treatment. In this study, we investigated molecular imaging and biochemical responses after a single cycle of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617/[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy in patients who had progressed on [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy. Methods: Seventeen patients with mCRPC were included in a retrospective, monocenter study. Molecular imaging-based response was assessed by modified PERCIST criteria using the whole-body total lesion PSMA (TLP) and molecular tumour volume (MTV) derived from [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Biochemical response was evaluated according to PCWG3 criteria using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum value. Concordance and correlation statistics as well as survival analyses were performed. Results: Based on the molecular imaging-based response assessment, 5 (29.4%) patients showed partial remission and 7 (41.2%) had stable disease. The remaining 5 (29.4%) patients had further progression, four with an increase in TLP/MTV of >30% and one with stable TLP/MTV but appearance of new metastases. Based on the biochemical response assessment, 5 (29.4%), 8 (47.1%), and 4 (23.5%) patients showed partial remission, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. A comparison of the response assessment methods showed a concordance of 100% (17/17) between TLP and MTV and 70.6% (12/17) between TLP/MTV and PSA. Patients with partial remission, independently assessed by each method, had better overall survival (OS) than patients with either stable or progressive disease. The difference in OS was statistically significant for the molecular imaging response assessment (median OS not reached vs. 8.3 m, p = 0.044), but not for the biochemical response assessment (median OS 18.1 m vs. 9.4 m, p = 0.468). Conclusion: Based on both assessment methods, [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617/[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 tandem therapy is an effective treatment for the highly challenging cohort of patients with mCRPC who have progressed on [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 monotherapy. Molecular imaging response and biochemical PSA response were mostly concordant, though a considerable number of cases (29.4%) were discordant. Molecular imaging response reflecting the change in total viable tumour burden appears to be superior to PSA change in estimating survival outcome after tandem therapy.

Renal Safety of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 Radioligand Therapy in Patients with Compromised Baseline Kidney Function.

Background: Radioligand therapy (RLT) targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an effective antitumor-treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (mCRPC). Concerns of potential nephrotoxicity are based on renal tubular PSMA expression and the resulting radiopharmaceutical retention during RLT, but data confirming clinically significant renal toxicity are still lacking. In this study, patients with significantly impaired baseline kidney function before initiation of therapy were investigated for treatment-associated nephrotoxicity and the potential relationship with administered activities of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Methods: Twenty-two mCRPC patients with impaired renal function (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≤ 60 mL/min) who received more than two cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT (median 5 cycles and median 6-week time interval between consecutive cycles) were analyzed in this study. Patients were treated within a prospective patient registry (REALITY Study, NCT04833517). Cumulative administered activities ranged from 17.1 to 85.6 GBq with a median activity of 6.5 GBq per cycle. Renal function was closely monitored during and after PSMA-RLT. Results: Mean pre-treatment GFR was 45.0 ± 10.7 mL/min. After two (22/22 patients), four (20/22 patients), and six cycles (10/22 patients) of RLT, a significant increase of GFR was noted (each p < 0.05). End-of-treatment GFR (54.1 ± 16.7 mL/min) was significantly higher than baseline GFR (p = 0.016). Only one patient experienced deterioration of renal function (change of CTCAE grade 2 to 3). The remaining patients showed no significant reduction of GFR, including follow-up assessments (6, 9, and 12 months), and even showed improved (10/22 patients) or unchanged (11/22 patients) CTCAE-based renal impairment grades during and after the end of PSMA-RLT. No significant correlation between the change in GFR and per-cycle (p = 0.605) or cumulative (p = 0.132) administered activities were found. Conclusions: As pre-treatment chronic kidney failure did not lead to detectable RLT-induced deterioration of renal function in our study, the nephrotoxic potential of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT may be overestimated and not of clinical priority in the setting of palliative treatment in mCRPC. We suggest not to categorically exclude patients from enrolment to PSMA-RLT due to renal impairment.

Efficacy and Safety of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 Augmented [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 Radioligand Therapy in Patients with Highly Advanced mCRPC with Poor Prognosis.

The use of 225Ac in prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT), either as monotherapy or in combination with 177Lu, is a promising therapy approach in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (mCRPC). In this study, we report the efficacy and safety of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 augmented [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT in 177Lu-naive mCRPC patients (n = 15) with poor prognosis (presence of visceral metastases, high total tumor burden with diffuse bone metastases or a short PSA doubling time of <2 months). Biochemical (by PSA serum value) and molecular imaging response (by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT) was assessed after two cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT, with at least one [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 augmentation. In addition, PSA-based progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity (according to CTCAE) were analyzed. We observed a biochemical- and molecular imaging-based partial remission in 53.3% (8/15) and 66.7% (10/15) of patients, respectively. The median PSA-PFS and OS was 9.1 and 14.8 months, respectively. No serious acute adverse events were recorded. Two out of fifteen patients experienced grade 3 anemia. No other grade 3/4 toxicities were observed. RLT-related xerostomia (grade 1/2) was recorded in 2/15 patients. Our data showed a high clinical efficacy with a favorable side effects profile of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 augmented [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT in this highly challenging patient cohort.

Comparison of different methods for post-therapeutic dosimetry in [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy.

BACKGROUND: Dosimetry is of high importance for optimization of patient-individual PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (PSMA-RLT). The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the feasibility of different approaches of image-based absorbed dose estimation in terms of accuracy and effort in clinical routine. METHODS: Whole-body planar images and SPECT/CT images were acquired from 24 patients and 65 cycles at 24h, 48h, and ≥96h after administration of a mean activity of 6.4 GBq [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (range 3-10.9 GBq). Dosimetry was performed by use of the following approaches: 2D planar-based dosimetry, 3D SPECT/CT-based dosimetry, and hybrid dosimetry combining 2D and 3D data. Absorbed doses were calculated according to IDAC 2.1 for the kidneys, the liver, the salivary glands, and bone metastases. RESULTS: Mean absorbed doses estimated by 3D dosimetry (the reference method) were 0.54 ± 0.28 Gy/GBq for the kidneys, 0.10 ± 0.05 Gy/GBq for the liver, 0.81 ± 0.34 Gy/GBq for the parotid gland, 0.72 ± 0.39 Gy/GBq for the submandibular gland, and 1.68 ± 1.32 Gy/GBq for bone metastases. Absorbed doses of normal organs estimated by hybrid dosimetry showed small, non-significant differences (median up to 4.0%) to the results of 3D dosimetry. Using 2D dosimetry, in contrast, significant differences (median up to 10.9%) were observed. Regarding bone metastases, small, but significant differences (median up to 7.0%) of absorbed dose were found for both, 2D dosimetry and hybrid dosimetry. Bland-Altman analysis revealed high agreement between hybrid dosimetry and 3D dosimetry for normal organs and bone metastases, but substantial differences between 2D dosimetry and 3D dosimetry. CONCLUSION: Hybrid dosimetry provides high accuracy in estimation of absorbed dose in comparison to 3D dosimetry for all important organs and is therefore feasible for use in individualized PSMA-RLT.

A Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Bimodal BODIPY-Labeled PSMA-Targeting Bioconjugates.

The aim of this study was to identify a high-affinity BODIPY peptidomimetic that targets the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as a potential bimodal imaging probe for prostate cancer. For the structure-activity study, several BODIPY (difluoroboron dipyrromethene) derivatives with varying spacers between the BODIPY dye and the PSMA Glu-CO-Lys binding motif were prepared. Corresponding affinities were determined by competitive binding assays in PSMA-positive LNCaP cells. One compound was identified with comparable affinity (IC50 =21.5±0.1 nM) to Glu-CO-Lys-Ahx-HBED-CC (PSMA-11) (IC50 =18.4±0.2 nM). Radiolabeling was achieved by Lewis-acid-mediated 19 F/18 F exchange in moderate molar activities (∼0.7 MBq nmol-1 ) and high radiochemical purities (>99 %) with mean radiochemical yields of 20-30 %. Cell internalization of the 18 F-labeled high-affinity conjugate was demonstrated in LNCaP cells showing gradual increasing PSMA-mediated internalization over time. By fluorescence microscopy, localization of the high-affinity BODIPY-PSMA conjugate was found in the cell membrane at early time points and also in subcellular compartments at later time points. In summary, a high-affinity BODIPY-PSMA conjugate has been identified as a suitable candidate for the development of PSMA-specific dual-imaging agents.

Value of Combined PET Imaging with [18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 in mCRPC Patients with Worsening Disease during [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT.

Despite the promising results of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), some patients show worsening disease during PSMA-RLT. We investigated the value of combined [18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging in this setting. In n = 29 mCRPC patients with worsening disease after a median of four cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT, combined [18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging was performed to detect [18F]FDG-avid lesions with low or no PSMA expression (mismatch lesions). To evaluate prognostic implication of mismatch, survival analyses regarding presence, location, and [18F]FDG PET-derived parameters such as SUVmax, metabolic tumor volume (MTVm), and total lesion glycolysis (TLGm) of mismatch findings were performed. Seventeen patients (59%) showed at least one mismatch metastasis. From the time point of combined PET imaging, the median overall survival (OS) of patients with mismatch findings was significantly (p = 0.008) shorter than those without (3.3 vs. 6.1 mo). Patients with a high MTVm revealed a significantly (p = 0.034) shorter OS of 2.6 mo than patients with low MTVm (5.3 mo). Furthermore, patients with hepatic mismatch showed a significantly (p = 0.049) shorter OS than those without (2.9 vs. 5.3 mo). Difference in OS regarding SUVmax and TLGm was not significant. In mCRPC patients with worsening disease during PSMA-RLT, combined [18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging is essential to identify mismatch findings, as these are associated with poor outcomes requiring a change in therapy management.

Proof-of-Concept Study of the NOTI Chelating Platform: Preclinical Evaluation of 64Cu-Labeled Mono- and Trimeric c(RGDfK) Conjugates.

PURPOSE: We recently developed a chelating platform based on the macrocycle 1,4,7-triazacyclononane with up to three five-membered azaheterocyclic arms for the preparation of 68Ga- and 64Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals. Based on this platform, the chelator scaffold NOTI-TVA with three additional carboxylic acid groups for bioconjugation was synthesized and characterized. The primary aims of this proof-of-concept study were (1) to evaluate if trimeric radiotracers on the basis of the NOTI-TVA 6 scaffold can be developed, (2) to determine if the additional substituents for bioconjugation at the non-coordinating NH atoms of the imidazole residues of the building block NOTI influence the metal binding properties, and (3) what influence multiple targeting vectors have on the biological performance of the radiotracer. The cyclic RGDfK peptide that specifically binds to the αvß3 integrin receptor was selected as the biological model system. PROCEDURES: Two different synthetic routes for the preparation of NOTI-TVA 6 were explored. Three c(RGDfK) peptide residues were conjugated to the NOTI-TVA 6 building block by standard peptide chemistry providing the trimeric bioconjugate NOTI-TVA-c(RGDfK)3 9. Labeling of 9 with [64Cu]CuCl2 was performed manually at pH 8.2 at ambient temperature. Binding affinities of Cu-8, the Cu2+ complex of the previously described monomer NODIA-Me-c(RGDfK) 8, and the trimer Cu-9 to integrin αvß3 were determined in competitive cell binding experiments in the U-87MG cell line. The pharmacokinetics of both 64Cu-labeled conjugates [64Cu]Cu-8 and [64Cu]Cu-9 were determined by small-animal PET imaging and ex vivo biodistribution studies in mice bearing U-87MG xenografts. RESULTS: Depending on the synthetic route, NOTI-TVA 6 was obtained with an overall yield up to 58 %. The bioconjugate 9 was prepared in 41 % yield. Both conjugates [64Cu]Cu-8 and [64Cu]Cu-9 were radiolabeled quantitatively at ambient temperature in high molar activities of Am ~ 20 MBq nmol-1 in less than 5 min. Competitive inhibitory constants IC50 of c(RDGfK) 7, Cu-8, and Cu-9 were determined to be 159.5 ± 1.3 nM, 256.1 ± 2.1 nM, and 99.5 ± 1.1 nM, respectively. In small-animal experiments, both radiotracers specifically delineated αvß3 integrin-positive U-87MG tumors with low uptake in non-target organs and rapid blood clearance. The trimer [64Cu]Cu-9 showed a ~ 2.5-fold higher tumor uptake compared with the monomer [64Cu]Cu-8. CONCLUSIONS: Functionalization of NOTI at the non-coordinating NH atoms of the imidazole residues for bioconjugation was straightforward and allowed the preparation of a homotrimeric RGD conjugate. After optimization of the synthesis, required building blocks to make NOTI-TVA 6 are now available on multi-gram scale. Modifications at the imidazole groups had no measurable impact on metal binding properties in vitro and in vivo suggesting that the NOTI scaffold is a promising candidate for the development of 64Cu-labeled multimeric/multifunctional radiotracers.