Versatile Bispidine-Based Bifunctional Chelators for 64 CuII -Labelling of Biomolecules

64Cu tumor labeling with hexadentate picolinic acid-based bispidine immunoconjugates

Discussed are two picolinate appended bispidine ligands (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives) in comparison with an earlier described bis-pyridine derivative, which are all known to strongly bind CuII. The radiopharmacological characterization of the two isomeric bispidine complexes includes quantitative labeling with 64CuII at ambient conditions with high radiochemical purities and yields (molar activities >200 MBq/nmol). Challenge experiments in presence of EDTA, cyclam, human serum and SOD demonstrate high stability and inertness of the 64Cu-bispidine complexes. Biodistribution studies performed in Wistar rats indicate a rapid renal elimination for both 64Cu-labeled chelates. The bispidine ligand with the picolinate group in N7 position was selected for further biological experiments, and its backbone was therefore substituted with a benzyl-NCS group at C9. Two tumor target modules (TMs), targeting prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), overexpressed in prostate cancer, and the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in fibrosarcoma, were selected for thiourea coupling with the NCS-functionalized ligand and lysine residues of TMs. Small animal PET experiments on tumor-bearing mice showed specific accumulation of the 64Cu-labeled TMs in PSCA- and FAP-overexpressing tumors (standardized uptake value (SUV) for PC3: 2.7±0.6 and HT1080: 7.2±1.25) with almost no uptake in wild type tumors.

Radiolabelled 177 Lu-Bispidine-Trastuzumab for Targeting Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Positive Cancers

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a promising alternative to conventional treatment options. Here, we present experimental work on the synthesis, radiochemistry, and in vivo performance of a lanthanoid-selective nonadentate bispidine ligand suitable for 177 Lu3+ ion complexation. The ligand (bisp,1) was derivatised with a photoactivatable aryl azide (ArN3 ) group as a bioconjugation handle for light-induced labelling of proteins. Quantitative radiosynthesis of [177 Lu]Lu-1+ was accomplished in 10 minutes at 40 °C. Subsequent incubation of [177 Lu]Lu-1+ with trastuzumab, followed by irradiation with light at 365 nm for 15 min, at room temperature and pH 8.0-8.3, gave the radiolabelled mAb, [177 Lu]Lu-1-azepin-trastuzumab ([177 Lu]Lu-1-mAb) in a decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 14 %, and radiochemical purity (RCP)>90 %. Stability studies and cellular binding assays in vitro using the SK-OV-3 human ovarian cancer cells confirmed that [177 Lu]Lu-1-mAb remained biological active and displayed specific binding to HER2/neu. Experiments in immunocompromised female athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft models of SK-OV-3 tumours revealed significantly higher tumour uptake in the normal group compared with the control block group (29.8±11.4 %ID g-1 vs. 14.8±6.1 %ID g-1 , respectively; P-value=0.037). The data indicate that bispidine-based ligand systems are suitable starting points for constructing novel, high-denticity chelators for specific complexation of larger radiotheranostic metal ion nuclides.

Bispidine Chelators for Radiopharmaceutical Applications with Lanthanide, Actinide, and Main Group Metal Ions

Octadentate and specifically nonadentate ligands with a bispidine scaffold (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) are known to be efficiently coordinated to a range of metal ions of interest in radiopharmaceutical chemistry and lead to exceedingly stable and inert complexes. Nonadentate bispidine L2 (with a tridentate bipyridine acetate appended to N3 and a picolinate at N7) has been shown before to be an ideal chelator for 111In3+, 177Lu3+, and 225Ac3+, nuclides of interest for diagnosis and therapy, and a proof-of-principle study with an SSTR2-specific octreotate has shown potential for theranostic applications. We now have extended these studies in two directions. First, we present ligand derivative L3, in which the bipyridine acetate is substituted with terpyridine, a softer donor for metal ions with a preference for more covalency. L3 did not fulfill the hopes because complexation is much less efficient. While for Bi3+ and Pb2+ the ligand is an excellent chelator with properties similar to those of L2, Lu3+ and La3+ show very slow and inefficient complexation with L3 in contrast to L2, and 225Ac3+ is not fully coordinated, even at an increased temperature (92% radiochemical yield at 80 °C, 60 min, [L3] = 10-4 M). These observations have led to a hypothesis for the complexation pathway that is in line with all of the experimental data and supported by a preliminary density functional theory analysis, which is important for the design of further optimized bispidine chelators. Second, the coordination chemistry of L2 has been extended to Bi3+, La3+, and Pb2+, including solid state and solution structural work, complex stabilities, radiolabeling, and radiostability studies. All complexes of this ligand (La3+, Ac3+, Lu3+, Bi3+, In3+, and Pb2+), including nuclides for targeted α therapy (TAT), single-photon emission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, are formed efficiently under physiological conditions, i.e., suitable for the labeling of delicate biological vectors such as antibodies, and the complexes are very stable and inert. Importantly, for TAT with 225Ac, the daughter nuclides 213Bi and 209Pb also form stable complexes, and this is important for reducing damage to healthy tissue.

Metal-Ligand Interactions in Scandium Complexes with Radiopharmaceutical Applications

The radioisotopes of scandium (43Sc, 44Sc, and 47Sc) are potential candidates for use in imaging and therapy both separately and as elementally matched pairs for radiotheranostics. In the present study the bonding interactions of Sc3+ with 18 hepta- to decadentate ligands are compared using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The bonding analysis is based on the natural bond orbital (NBO) model. The main contributions to the bonding were assessed using natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA). Most of the ligands have anionic character (charges from 2- to 8-); thus the electrical term determines the major differences in the interaction energies. However, interesting features were found in the covalent contributions manifested by the ligand → Sc3+ charge transfer (CT) interactions. Significant differences could be observed in the energetic contributions of the N and O donors to the total CT.

N,N-Alkylation Clarifies the Role of N- and O-Protonated Intermediates in Cyclen-Based 64Cu Radiopharmaceuticals

Radioisotopes of Cu, such as ⁶⁴Cu and ⁶⁷Cu, are alluring targets for imaging (e.g., positron emission tomography, PET) and radiotherapeutic applications. Cyclen-based macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylates are one of the most frequently examined bifunctional chelators in vitro and in vivo, including the FDA-approved ⁶⁴Cu radiopharmaceutical, Cu(DOTATATE) (Detectnet); however, connections between the structure of plausible reactive intermediates and their stability under physiologically relevant conditions remain to be established. In this study, we share the synthesis of a cyclen-based, N,N-alkylated spirocyclic chelate, H₂DO3A^C4H8, which serves as a model for N-protonation. Our combined experimental (in vitro and in vivo) and computational studies unravel complex pH-dependent speciation and enable side-by-side comparison of N- and O-protonated species of relevant ⁶⁴Cu radiopharmaceuticals. Our studies suggest that N-protonated species are not inherently unstable species under physiological conditions and demonstrate the potential of N,N-alkylation as a tool for the rational design of future radiopharmaceuticals.

Loureiro L, Kegler A, González Soto KE, Belter B, Rössig C, Pietzsch J, Frenz M, Bachmann M, Feldmann A. Specific and safe targeting of glioblastoma using switchable and logic-gated RevCAR T cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is still an incurable tumor that is associated with high recurrence rate and poor survival despite the current treatment regimes. With the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies, immunotherapies, especially chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells, represent a promising approach for specific and effective targeting of GBM. However, CAR T cells can be associated with serious side effects. To overcome such limitation, we applied our switchable RevCAR system to target both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the disialoganglioside GD2, which are expressed in GBM. The RevCAR system is a modular platform that enables controllability, improves safety, specificity and flexibility. Briefly, it consists of RevCAR T cells having a peptide epitope as extracellular domain, and a bispecific target module (RevTM). The RevTM acts as a switch key that recognizes the RevCAR epitope and the tumor-associated antigen, and thereby activating the RevCAR T cells to kill the tumor cells. However, in the absence of the RevTM, the RevCAR T cells are switched off. In this study, we show that the novel EGFR/GD2-specific RevTMs can selectively activate RevCAR T cells to kill GBM cells. Moreover, we show that gated targeting of GBM is possible with our Dual-RevCAR T cells, which have their internal activation and co-stimulatory domains separated into two receptors. Therefore, a full activation of Dual-RevCAR T cells can only be achieved when both receptors recognize EGFR and GD2 simultaneously via RevTMs, leading to a significant killing of GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Different Topologies of Hg(II)-Bispidine 1D Coordination Polymers: Dynamic Behavior in Solvent Adsorption and Exchange Processes

One-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers (CPs) featuring three different topologies, comprising zig-zag, ribbon-like and poly-[n]-catenane structures, were obtained by reaction of Hg(II) ions with a novel bispidine ligand L3, and structurally characterized by SC- and P-XRD methods. The CPs obtained in the form of microcrystalline powders were tested for their ability to undergo solvent adsorption and exchange by P-XRD and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The extent of their dynamic behavior was then correlated to their structural features, highlighting the role of interchain interactions established among their constituting linear arrays. Zig-zag CPs proved to be resilient to external chemical stimuli, while they differently respond to thermal treatments, depending on the solvent originally included within the CP. In the case of polycatenated structures, we observed transformations where the original topology was maintained upon guest exchange, but also cases where it changed to zig-zag, even under solid/vapor conditions (i. e., no complete dissolution of the CP). Given the presence of linear interconnected 1D channels, 3 ⋅ ClBz-polycatenanePwd is also able to trap volatile guests such as n-hexane when exposed to its vapors.

Development and Functional Characterization of a Versatile Radio-/Immunotheranostic Tool for Prostate Cancer Management

Simple Summary

In previous studies, we described a modular Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell platform which we termed UniCAR. In contrast to conventional CARs, the interaction of UniCAR T cells does not occur directly between the CAR T cell and the tumor cell but is mediated via bispecific adaptor molecules so-called target modules (TMs). Here we present the development and functional characterization of a novel IgG4-based TM, directed to the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa). We show that this anti-PSCA IgG4-TM cannot only be used for (i) redirection of UniCAR T cells to PCa cells but also for (ii) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and (iii) alpha particle-based endoradiotherapy. For radiolabeling, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was conjugated with the chelator DOTAGA. PET imaging was performed using the ⁶⁴Cu-labeled anti-PSCA IgG4-TM. According to PET imaging, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM accumulates with high contrast in the PSCA-positive tumors of experimental mice without visible uptake in other organs. For endoradiotherapy the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM-DOTAGA conjugate was labeled with ²²⁵Ac³⁺. Targeted alpha therapy resulted in tumor control over 60 days after a single injection of the ²²⁵Ac-labeled TM. The favorable pharmacological profile of the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM, and its usage for (i) imaging, (ii) targeted alpha therapy, and (iii) UniCAR T cell immunotherapy underlines the promising radio-/immunotheranostic capabilities for the diagnostic imaging and treatment of PCa.

Abstract

Due to its overexpression on the surface of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a potential target for PCa diagnosis and therapy. Here we describe the development and functional characterization of a novel IgG4-based anti-PSCA antibody (Ab) derivative (anti-PSCA IgG4-TM) that is conjugated with the chelator DOTAGA. The anti-PSCA IgG4-TM represents a multimodal immunotheranostic compound that can be used (i) as a target module (TM) for UniCAR T cell-based immunotherapy, (ii) for diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and (iii) targeted alpha therapy. Cross-linkage of UniCAR T cells and PSCA-positive tumor cells via the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM results in efficient tumor cell lysis both in vitro and in vivo. After radiolabeling with ⁶⁴Cu²⁺, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was successfully applied for high contrast PET imaging. In a PCa mouse model, it showed specific accumulation in PSCA-expressing tumors, while no uptake in other organs was observed. Additionally, the DOTAGA-conjugated anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was radiolabeled with ²²⁵Ac³⁺ and applied for targeted alpha therapy. A single injection of the ²²⁵Ac-labeled anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was able to significantly control tumor growth in experimental mice. Overall, the novel anti-PSCA IgG4-TM represents an attractive first member of a novel group of radio-/immunotheranostics that allows diagnostic imaging, endoradiotherapy, and CAR T cell immunotherapy.

Dual-Labelling Strategies for Nuclear and Fluorescence Molecular Imaging: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Molecular imaging offers the possibility to investigate biological and biochemical processes non-invasively and to obtain information on both anatomy and dysfunctions. Based on the data obtained, a fundamental understanding of various disease processes can be derived and treatment strategies can be planned. In this context, methods that combine several modalities in one probe are increasingly being used. Due to the comparably high sensitivity and provided complementary information, the combination of nuclear and optical probes has taken on a special significance. In this review article, dual-labelled systems for bimodal nuclear and optical imaging based on both modular ligands and nanomaterials are discussed. Particular attention is paid to radiometal-labelled molecules for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) and metal complexes combined with fluorescent dyes for optical imaging. The clinical potential of such probes, especially for fluorescence-guided surgery, is assessed.

Metal-ligand bonding in bispidine chelate complexes for radiopharmaceutical applications

The complexes of selected radionuclides relevant for nuclear medicine (InIII, BiIII, LuIII, AcIII and in addition LaIII for comparative purposes) with the octadentate (6,6′-((9-hydroxy-1,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-2,4-di(pyridin-2-yl)-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,7-diyl)bis(methylene))dipicolinic acid) ligand, H2bispa2, have been studied by density functional theory calculations modelling both isolated and aqueous solution conditions. The properties in focus are the encapsulation efficiency of the ligand for the different-size metals (M), the differences in bonding with the various MIII ions analysed using Bader’s atoms in molecules theory and the possibility and characteristics of nona- and decacoordination by H2O ligands. The computed results confirmed strong steric effects in the case of the In complex excluding higher than octacoordination. The studied properties depend strongly on the interplay of the sizes and electronic structures of the MIII ions. The computations support high stability of the complexes in aqueous solution, where also the solvation energies of the MIII ions (as dissociation products) play a significant role.

Novel cytotoxic 1,10-phenanthroline–triterpenoid amphiphiles with supramolecular characteristics capable of coordinating 64Cu(ii) labels

Novel 1,10-phenanthroline–triterpenoid amphiphiles formed nano-assemblies in water, coordinated Cu(ii) and 64Cu(ii) salts for potential cancer monitoring and therapy, and displayed cytotoxicity partly dependent on the formation of nano-assemblies.

Chelators for Treatment of Iron and Copper Overload: Shift from Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds to Polymers

Iron and copper are essential micronutrients needed for the proper function of every cell. However, in excessive amounts, these elements are toxic, as they may cause oxidative stress, resulting in damage to the liver and other organs. This may happen due to poisoning, as a side effect of thalassemia infusion therapy or due to hereditary diseases hemochromatosis or Wilson's disease. The current golden standard of therapy of iron and copper overload is the use of low-molecular-weight chelators of these elements. However, these agents suffer from severe side effects, are often expensive and possess unfavorable pharmacokinetics, thus limiting the usability of such therapy. The emerging concepts are polymer-supported iron- and copper-chelating therapeutics, either for parenteral or oral use, which shows vivid potential to keep the therapeutic efficacy of low-molecular-weight agents, while avoiding their drawbacks, especially their side effects. Critical evaluation of this new perspective polymer approach is the purpose of this review article.

Fluorescent Benzothiadiazole Derivatives as Fluorescence Imaging Dyes: A Decade of New Generation Probes

The current review describes advances in the use of fluorescent 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD) derivatives after nearly one decade since the first description of bioimaging experiments using this class of fluorogenic dyes. The review describes the use of BTD-containing fluorophores applied as, inter alia, bioprobes for imaging cell nuclei, mitochondria, lipid droplets, sensors, markers for proteins and related events, biological processes and activities, lysosomes, plasma membranes, multicellular models, and animals. A number of physicochemical and photophysical properties commonly observed for BTD fluorogenic structures are also described.

Radiolabelled Cyclic Bisarylmercury: High Chemical and in vivo Stability for Theranostics

We show the synthesis of an in vivo stable mercury compound with functionality suitable for radiopharmaceuticals. The designed cyclic bisarylmercury was based on the water tolerance of organomercurials, higher bond dissociation energy of Hg-Ph to Hg-S, and the experimental evidence that acyclic structures suffer significant cleavage of one of the Hg-R bonds. The bispidine motif was chosen for its in vivo stability, chemical accessibility, and functionalization properties. Radionuclide production results in 197(m) HgCl2 (aq), so the desired mercury compound was formed via a water-tolerant organotin transmetallation. The Hg-bispidine compound showed high chemical stability in tests with an excess of sulfur-containing competitors and high in vivo stability, without any observable protein interaction by human serum assay, and good organ clearance demonstrated by biodistribution and SPECT studies in rats. In particular, no retention in the kidneys was observed, typical of unstable mercury compounds. The nat Hg analogue allowed full characterization by NMR and HRMS.

Emerging chelators for nuclear imaging

Chelators are necessary in nuclear medicine imaging to direct an inorganic radionuclide, a radiometal, to a desired target; unfortunately, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' chelator. As the toolbox of radiometals is expanding, new chelators are required to prevent off-target side effects. 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) is the current gold standard chelator for several radiometals, but typically, chelation requires harsh conditions, making it unsuitable to label biological vectors. The ideal chelator would allow labelling under mild conditions (near-neutral pH and low temperatures [∼37 °C]) and be both thermodynamically and kinetically stable. Over the past 2-3 years, several exciting chelators have been developed that have superior properties to make them worth investigating for future clinical applications.

H2pyhox - Octadentate Bis(pyridyloxine)

A new versatile chelating ligand for intermediate size and softness radiometals [⁶⁴Cu]Cu²⁺ and [¹¹¹In]In³⁺, H₂pyhox, was synthesized by introducing pyridine as a new donor moiety to complement 8-hydroxyquinoline on an ethylenediamine backbone. The combination of pyridine and oxine as donor sets was explored through structural analysis, and crystals of the three metal complexes with Cu²⁺, La³⁺, and In³⁺ demonstrate how the ligand adapts to accommodate metal ions of different sizes and charge. Exhaustive in-batch UV solution studies characterized the protonation constants of the free ligand as well as the formation constants of the metal complexes with Cu²⁺, In³⁺, and La³⁺. Preliminary concentration-dependent radiolabeling studies with [¹¹¹In]In³⁺ and [⁶⁴Cu]Cu²⁺ show the robustness of H₂pyhox to successfully coordinate both radiometals under mild conditions (<15 min, room temperature, pH 6). H₂pyhox is the first oxinate ligand to successfully radiolabel [²²⁵Ac]Ac³⁺, albeit only at high concentrations (0.1-1 mM) with gentle heating to 37 °C. Whole serum, protein, and ligand challenge assays further demonstrate the kinetic inertness of the [¹¹¹In]In³⁺ and [⁶⁴Cu]Cu²⁺ radiometal-ligand complexes, confirming H₂pyhox to be a promising versatile radiopharmaceutical chelator.

Excited State Properties of Lanthanide(III) Complexes with a Nonadentate Bispidine Ligand

EuIII , TbIII , GdIII and YbIII complexes of the nonadentate bispidine derivative L2 (bispidine=3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) were successfully synthesized and their emission properties studied. The X-ray crystallography reveals full encapsulation by the nonadentate ligand L2 that enforces to all LnIII cations a common highly symmetrical capped square antiprismatic (CSAPR) coordination geometry (pseudo C4v symmetry). The well-resolved identical emission spectra in solid state and in solution confirm equal structures in both media. As therefore expected, this results in long-lived excited states and high emission quantum yields ([EuIII L2 ]+ , H2 O, 298 K, τ=1.51 ms, ϕ=0.35; [TbIII L2 ]+ , H2 O, 298 K, τ=1.95 ms, ϕ=0.68). Together with the very high kinetic and thermodynamic stabilities, these complexes are a possible basis for interesting biological probes.

First-Generation Bispidine Chelators for 213 BiIII Radiopharmaceutical Applications

Hepta- and octadentate bispidines (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, diaza-adamantane) with acetate, methyl-pyridine, and methyl-picolinate pendant groups at the amine donors of the bispidine platform have been prepared and used to investigate BiIII coordination chemistry. Crystal structure and solution spectroscopic data (NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry) confirm that the rigid and relatively large bispidine cavity with an axially distorted geometry is well suited for BiIII and in all cases forms nine-coordinate complexes; this is supported by an established hole size and shape analysis. It follows that nonadentate bispidines probably will be more suited as bifunctional chelators for 213 BiIII -based radiopharmaceuticals. However, two isomeric picolinate-/acetate-based heptadentate ligands already show very efficient complexation kinetics with 213 BiIII at ambient temperature and kinetic stability that is comparable with the standard ligands used in this field. The experimentally determined hydrophilicities (log D7.4 values) show that the BiIII complexes reported are relatively hydrophilic and well suited for medicinal applications. We also present a very efficient and relatively accurate method to compute charge distributions and hydrophilicities, and this will help to further optimize the systems reported here.

Versatile Bispidine-Based Bifunctional Chelators for 64 CuII -Labelling of Biomolecules

Bifunctional chelators as parts of modular metal-based radiopharmaceuticals are responsible for stable complexation of the radiometal ion and for covalent linkage between the complex and the targeting vector. To avoid loss of complex stability, the bioconjugation strategy should not interfere with the radiometal chelation by occupying coordinating groups. The C9 position of the very stable CuII chelator 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (bispidine) is virtually predestined to introduce functional groups for facile bioconjugation as this functionalisation does not disturb the metal binding centre. We describe the preparation and characterisation of a set of novel bispidine derivatives equipped with suitable functional groups for diverse bioconjugation reactions, including common amine coupling strategies (bispidine-isothiocyanate) and the Cu-free strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition. We demonstrate their functionality and versatility in an exemplary way by conjugation to an antibody-based biomolecule and validate the obtained conjugate in vitro and in vivo.

Tuneable solvent adsorption and exchange by 1D bispidine-based Mn(ii) coordination polymers via ligand design

General trends on the structural and dynamic properties of bispidine-based Mn(ii) 1D coordination polymers have been outlined on the basis of both single-crystals and microcrystalline powders data and by solvent adsorption and exchange experiments.