Radiolabeling of HTE1PA: A new monopicolinate cyclam derivative for Cu-64 phenotypic imaging. In vitro and in vivo stability studies in mice

Localized Sustained Release of Copper Enhances Antitumor Effects of Disulfiram in Head and Neck Cancer

Drug repurposing uses approved drugs as candidate anticancer therapeutics, harnesses previous research and development efforts, and benefits from available clinically suitable formulations and evidence of patient tolerability. In this work, the drug used clinically to treat chronic alcoholism, disulfiram (DSF), was studied for its antitumor efficacy in a copper-dependent manner. The combination of DSF and copper could achieve a tumor cell growth inhibition effect comparable to those of 5-fluorouracil and taxol on head and neck cancer cells. Both bulk dendrimer hydrogel and microsized dendrimer hydrogel particles were utilized for the localized sustained release of copper in the tumor site. The localized sustained release of copper facilitated the tumor inhibition effect following intratumoral injection in a mouse's head and neck cancer model.

Multistep synthesis of a novel copper complex with potential for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of Aβ plaques, is recognized as a tool for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. As a contribution to the development of new strategies for early diagnosis of the disease, using PET medical imaging technique, a new copper complex, the [Cu(TE1PA-ONO)]+ was synthesized in ten steps. The key step of our strategy is the coupling of a monopicolinate-N-alkylated cyclam-based ligand with a moiety capable of recognizing Aβ plaques via a successful and challenging Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reaction. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such a strategy is used to functionalize polyazamacrocyclic derivatives. The thermodynamic stability constants determined in MeOH/H2O solvent indicate that the attachment of this moiety does not weaken the chelating properties of TE1PA-ONO ligand in relation to parent HTE1PA. The novel complex described here is able to recognize amyloid plaques in brain sections from Alzheimer's disease patients and shows low toxicity to human neuronal cells.

Preclinical Evaluation of a 64Cu-Based Theranostic Approach in a Murine Model of Multiple Myeloma

Although the concept of theranostics is neither new nor exclusive to nuclear medicine, it is a particularly promising approach for the future of nuclear oncology. This approach is based on the use of molecules targeting specific biomarkers in the tumour or its microenvironment, associated with optimal radionuclides which, depending on their emission properties, allow the combination of diagnosis by molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT). Copper-64 has suitable decay properties (both β⁺ and β- decays) for PET imaging and potentially for TRT, making it both an imaging and therapy agent. We developed and evaluated a theranostic approach using a copper-64 radiolabelled anti-CD138 antibody, [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-TE1PA-9E7.4 in a MOPC315.BM mouse model of multiple myeloma. PET imaging using [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-TE1PA-9E7.4 allows for high-resolution PET images. Dosimetric estimation from ex vivo biodistribution data revealed acceptable delivered doses to healthy organs and tissues, and a very encouraging tumour absorbed dose for TRT applications. Therapeutic efficacy resulting in delayed tumour growth and increased survival without inducing major or irreversible toxicity has been observed with 2 doses of 35 MBq administered at a 2-week interval. Repeated injections of [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-TE1PA-9E7.4 are safe and can be effective for TRT application in this syngeneic preclinical model of MM.

A Phosphine Oxide-Functionalized Cyclam as a Specific Copper(II) Chelator

Although cyclam-based ligands are among the strongest copper(II) chelators available, they also usually present good affinity for other divalent cations [Zn(II), Ni(II), and Co(II)], with no copper(II)-specific cyclam ligands having been described so far. As such a property is highly desirable in a wide range of applications, we present herein two novel phosphine oxide-appended cyclam ligands that could be efficiently synthesized through Kabachnik-Fields type reactions on protected cyclam precursors. Their copper(II) coordination properties were closely studied by different physicochemical techniques [electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and potentiometry]. The mono(diphenylphosphine oxide)-functionalized ligand demonstrated a copper(II)-specific behavior, unprecedented within the cyclam family of ligands. This was evidenced by UV-vis complexation and competition studies with the parent divalent cations. Density functional theory calculations also confirmed that the particular ligand geometry in the complexes strongly favors copper(II) coordination over that of competing divalent cations, rationalizing the specificity observed experimentally.

Highly inert Cu(II) complexes of C-aryl bifunctional cyclam-picolinates with remarkable 64Cu-labelling and biodistribution

Cyclam-picolinate chelators were functionalized via click chemistry with an additional carboxyl group for subsequent bioconjugation to antibodies or for the modification of the overall charge of the corresponding ⁶⁴Cu-radiocomplexes. The C-aryl functionalization strategy developed here preserves the chemical properties of the radiocomplexes whilst deeply enhancing their applications within nuclear medicine.

On the dissociation pathways of copper complexes relevant as PET imaging agents

Several bifunctional chelators have been synthesized in the last years for the development of new ⁶⁴Cu-based PET agents for in vivo imaging. When designing a metal-based PET probe, it is important to achieve high stability and kinetic inertness once the radioisotope is coordinated. Different competitive assays are commonly used to evaluate the possible dissociation mechanisms that may induce Cu(II) release in the body. Among them, acid-assisted dissociation tests or transchelation challenges employing EDTA or SOD are frequently used to evaluate both solution thermodynamics and the kinetic behavior of potential metal-based systems. Despite of this, the Cu(II)/Cu(I) bioreduction pathway that could be promoted by the presence of bioreductants still remains little explored. To fill this gap we present here a detailed spectroscopic study of the kinetic behavior of different macrocyclic Cu(II) complexes. The complexes investigated include the cross-bridge cyclam derivative [Cu(CB-TE1A)]⁺, whose structure was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The acid-assisted dissociation mechanism was investigated using HClO₄ and HCl to analyse the effect of the counterion on the rate constants. The complexes were selected so that the effects of complex charge and coordination polyhedron could be assessed. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were conducted to investigate whether the reduction to Cu(I) falls within the window of common bioreducing agents. The most striking behavior concerns the [Cu(NO2Th)]²⁺ complex, a 1,4,7-triazacyclononane derivative containing two methylthiazolyl pendant arms. This complex is extremely inert with respect to dissociation following the acid-catalyzed mechanism, but dissociates rather quickly in the presence of a bioreductant like ascorbic acid.

Relevance of Palladium to Radiopharmaceutical Development Considering Enhanced Coordination Properties of TE1PA

The limited use of palladium‐103 and ‐109 radionuclides for molecular radiotherapy is surely due to the lack of appropriate ligands capable of fulfilling all criteria required for application in nuclear medicine. Furthermore, the thermodynamic properties of these complexes in solution remain difficult to establish. The challenge is compounded when considering that radiolabeling of compounds for translation to clinical trials requires fast complexation. Thus, the coordination of Pd(II) and ^103/109Pd‐nuclides is a huge challenge in terms of molecular design and physicochemical characterization. Herein, we report a comprehensive study highlighting TE1PA, a monopicolinate cyclam – already established in nuclear imaging with ⁶⁴Cu‐PET (positron emission tomography) imaging tracers – as a highly relevant chelator for natural Pd and subsequently ¹⁰⁹Pd‐nuclide. The structural, thermodynamic, kinetic and radiolabeling studies of Pd(II) with TE1PA, as well as the comparison of this complex with three structurally related derivatives, support palladium‐TE1PA radiopharmaceuticals as leading candidates for targeted nuclear medicine.

Chelation of Theranostic Copper Radioisotopes with S-Rich Macrocycles: From Radiolabelling of Copper-64 to In Vivo Investigation

Copper radioisotopes are generally employed for cancer imaging and therapy when firmly coordinated via a chelating agent coupled to a tumor-seeking vector. However, the biologically triggered Cu²⁺-Cu⁺ redox switching may constrain the in vivo integrity of the resulting complex, leading to demetallation processes. This unsought pathway is expected to be hindered by chelators bearing N, O, and S donors which appropriately complements the borderline-hard and soft nature of Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺. In this work, the labelling performances of a series of S-rich polyazamacrocyclic chelators with [⁶⁴Cu]Cu²⁺ and the stability of the [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-complexes thereof were evaluated. Among the chelators considered, the best results were obtained with 1,7-bis [2-(methylsulfanyl)ethyl]-4,10,diacetic acid-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DO2A2S). DO2A2S was labelled at high molar activities in mild reaction conditions, and its [⁶⁴Cu]Cu²⁺ complex showed excellent integrity in human serum over 24 h. Biodistribution studies in BALB/c nude mice performed with [⁶⁴Cu][Cu(DO2A2S)] revealed a behavior similar to other [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-labelled cyclen derivatives characterized by high liver and kidney uptake, which could either be ascribed to transchelation phenomena or metabolic processing of the intact complex.

Copper-64-Labeled 1C1m-Fc, a New Tool for TEM-1 PET Imaging and Prediction of Lutetium-177-Labeled 1C1m-Fc Therapy Efficacy and Safety

Simple Summary

The prevalence of TEM-1 in the vasculature and the stroma of solid tumors and in malignant cells of sarcomas suggests that targeting TEM-1 could have therapeutic benefit. In this context, an anti-TEM-1 companion diagnostic may assist in the personalized medicine approach, whereby TEM-1 expression is exploited as a biomarker to select patients that would most benefit from a treatment directed toward the TEM-1 antigen. In our previous works, we have selected 1C1m-Fc, a fusion protein antibody, radiolabeled it with ¹⁷⁷Lu and demonstrated that [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-1C1m-Fc has interesting therapeutic performance. To define a suitable radiopharmaceutical companion for theranostic applications, ⁶⁴Cu was chosen to radiolabel the fusion protein antibody. The aim of this work was thus to determine if [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-1C1m-Fc can be considered for TEM-1 PET imaging and to predict the dosimetry of the [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-1C1m-Fc companion therapy.

Abstract

1C1m-Fc, a promising anti-TEM-1 DOTA conjugate, was labeled with ⁶⁴Cu to target cancer cells for PET imaging and predicting the efficacy and safety of a previously studied [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-1C1m-Fc companion therapy. DOTA-conjugated 1C1m-Fc was characterized by mass spectrometry, thin layer chromatography and immunoreactivity assessment. PET/CT and biodistribution studies were performed in human neuroblastoma xenografted mice. Absorbed doses were assessed from biodistribution results and extrapolated to ¹⁷⁷Lu based on the [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-1C1m-Fc data. The immunoreactivity was ≥ 70% after 48 h of incubation in serum, and the specificity of [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-1C1m-Fc for the target was validated. High-resolution PET/CT images were obtained, with the best tumor-to-organ ratios reached at 24 or 48 h and correlated with results of the biodistribution study. Healthy organs receiving the highest doses were the liver, the kidneys and the uterus. [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-1C1m-Fc could be of interest to give an indication of ¹⁷⁷Lu dosimetry for parenchymal organs. In the uterus and the tumor, characterized by specific TEM-1 expression, the ¹⁷⁷Lu-extrapolated absorbed doses are overestimated because of the lack of later measurement time points. Nevertheless, 1C1m-Fc radiolabeled with ⁶⁴Cu for imaging would appear as an interesting radionuclide companion for therapeutic application with [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-1C1m-Fc.

Cyclam-Based Chelators Bearing Phosphonated Pyridine Pendants for 64Cu-PET Imaging: Synthesis, Physicochemical Studies, Radiolabeling, and Bioimaging

Herein we present the preparation of two novel cyclam-based macrocycles (te1pyp and cb-te1pyp), bearing phosphonate-appended pyridine side arms for the coordination of copper(II) ions in the context of ⁶⁴Cu PET imaging. The two ligands have been prepared through conventional protection-alkylation sequences on cyclam, and their coordination properties have been thoroughly investigated. The corresponding copper complexes have been fully characterized in the solid state (X-ray diffraction analysis) and in solution (EPR and UV-vis spectroscopies). Potentiometric studies combined with spectrometry have also allowed us to determine their thermodynamic stability constants, confirming their high affinity for copper(II) cations. The kinetic inertness of the complexes has been verified by acid-assisted dissociation experiments, enabling their use in ⁶⁴Cu-PET imaging in mice for the first time. Indeed, the two ligands could be quantitatively radiolabeled under mild conditions, and the resulting ⁶⁴Cu complexes have demonstrated excellent stability in serum. PET imaging demonstrated a set of features emerging from the combination of picolinates and phosphonate units: high stability in vivo, fast clearance from the body via renal elimination, and most interestingly, very low fixation in the liver. This is in contrast with what was observed for monopicolinate cyclam (te1pa), which had a non-negligible accumulation in the liver, owing probably to its different charge and lipophilicity. These results thus pave the way for the use of such phosphonated pyridine chelators for in vivo ⁶⁴Cu-PET imaging.

TE1PA as Innovating Chelator for 64Cu Immuno-TEP Imaging: A Comparative in Vivo Study with DOTA/NOTA by Conjugation on 9E7.4 mAb in a Syngeneic Multiple Myeloma Model

Following the successful synthesis of a C-functionalized version of the TE1PA ligand, a monopicolinate cyclam, we looked to demonstrate its in vivo properties versus DOTA and NOTA, after conjugation on the 9E7.4 rat antibody, an IgG_2a against CD138 murine, which has relevant properties for multiple myeloma targeting. For each ligand, different conjugation approaches had been considered to select the most appropriate for the comparative study. The p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA, NHS-DOTA, and p-SCN-Bn-NOTA were finally chosen for conjugation and radiolabeling tests. For in vivo comparison, we used a model of subcutaneous grafted mice with 5T33 tumor cells. In vitro tests and immuno-PET study highlighted ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-NOTA as the least attractive. Further competitive biodistribution and hepatic metabolic studies at 2, 24, and 48 h post-injection (100 μg radiolabeled with 10 MBq of ⁶⁴Cu) were then performed with the ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA and ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-NHS-DOTA. Results show a better in vivo resistance of ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA to transchelation compared to ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-NHS-DOTA, especially at later times. This was confirmed with ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-NOTA at 48 h PI. ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA also demonstrated an excellent hepatic clearance. ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA displayed an overall superiority compared to ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-NHS-DOTA and ⁶⁴Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-NOTA in terms of in vivo stability, reinforcing the usefulness of the p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA ligand for ⁶⁴Cu immuno-PET imaging.

Development and Evaluation of an 18F-Radiolabeled Monocyclam Derivative for Imaging CXCR4 Expression

In humans, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a protein that is encoded by the CXCR4 gene and binds the ligand CXCL12 (also known as SDF-1). The CXCR4-CXCL12 interaction in cancer elicits biological activities that result in tumor progression and has accordingly been the subject of significant investigation for detection and treatment of the disease. Peptidic antagonists have been labeled with a variety of radioisotopes for the detection of CXCR4, but the methodology utilizing small molecules has predominantly used radiometals. We report here the development of a 18F-radiolabeled cyclam-based small molecule radioprobe, [18F]MCFB, for imaging CXCR4 expression. The IC50 value of [19F]MCFB for CXCR4 was similar to that of AMD3465 (111.3 and 89.8 nM, respectively). In vitro binding assays show that the tracer depicted a differential CXCR4 expression, which was blocked in the presence of AMD3465, demonstrating the specificity of [18F]MCFB. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies showed a distinct uptake of the radioprobe in lymphoma and breast cancer xenografts. High liver and kidney uptakes were seen with [18F]MCFB, leading us to further examine the basis of its pharmacokinetics in relation to the tracer's cationic nature and thus the role of organic cation transporters (OCTs). Substrate competition following the intravenous injection of metformin led to a marked decrease in the urinary excretion of [18F]MCFB, with moderate changes observed in other organs, including the liver. Our results suggest involvement of OCTs in the renal elimination of the tracer. In conclusion, the 18F-radiolabeled monocyclam, [18F]MCFB, has potential to detect tumor CXCR4 in nonhepatic tissues.

Synthesis of C-functionalized TE1PA and comparison with its analogues. An example of bioconjugation on 9E7.4 mAb for multiple myeloma 64Cu-PET imaging

In view of the excellent copper(ii) and 64-copper(ii) complexation of a TE1PA ligand, a monopicolinate cyclam, in both aqueous medium and in vivo, we looked for a way to make it bifunctional, while maintaining its chelating properties. Overcoming the already known drawback of grafting via its carboxyl group, which is essential to the overall properties of the ligand, a TE1PA bifunctional derivative bearing an additional isothiocyanate coupling function on a carbon atom of the macrocyclic ring was synthesized. This led to an architecture that is comparable to that of other commercially available bifunctional copper(ii) chelators such as p-SCN-Bn-DOTA already used in clinical trials for 64Cu-immuno-PET imaging. The C-functionalization of TE1PA on one carbon atom in the β-N position of the cyclam backbone was successfully achieved by adapting our patented methodology to the huge challenge, allowing the regiospecific mono-N-functionalization of the unsymmetrical ligand. The obtained ligand p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA was coupled to a 9E7.4 murine antibody (mAb), an IgG2a anti CD-138 for multiple myeloma (MM) targeting. The conjugation efficiency was assessed by looking at the 64Cu radiolabeling and the radiopharmaceutical 64Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA immunoreactivity, and in particular by comparing with 9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-NOTA and 9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-DOTA obtained from commercial and presumably highly efficient chelators NOTA and DOTA, respectively. The results are quite clear, showing that p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA has a coupling rate 5 times higher and an immunoreactivity 1.5 to 2 times greater than those of its two competitors. p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA also outperforms TE1PA conjugated via its carboxylic function on the same antibody. The first 64Cu-immuno-PET preclinical study in a syngeneic model of MM was performed, confirming the good in vivo properties of 64Cu-9E7.4-p-SCN-Bn-TE1PA for PET imaging, considering the high clearance even after 24 h and the particularly important tumor-to-liver ratio that was increasing at 48 h.

Methylthiazolyl Tacn Ligands for Copper Complexation and Their Bifunctional Chelating Agent Derivatives for Bioconjugation and Copper-64 Radiolabeling: An Example with Bombesin

We present here the synthesis of two new bifunctionalized azachelators, no2th-EtBzNCS and Hno2th1tha, as bioconjugable analogues of two previously described di- and trimethylthiazolyl 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) ligands, no2th and no3th, for potential uses in copper-64 (⁶⁴Cu) positron emission tomography imaging. The first one bears an isothiocyanate group on the remaining free nitrogen atom of the tacn framework, while the second one presents an additional carboxylic function on one of the three heterocyclic pendants. Their syntheses required regiospecific N-functionalization of the macrocycles. In order to investigate their suitability for in vivo applications, a complete study of their copper(II) chelation was performed. The acid-base properties of the ligands and their thermodynamic stability constants with copper(II) and zinc(II) cations were determined using potentiometric techniques. Structural studies were conducted in both solution and the solid state, consolidated by theoretical calculations. The kinetic inertness in an acidic medium of both copper(II) complexes was determined by spectrophotometry, while cyclic voltammetry experiments were performed to evaluate the stability at the copper(I) redox state. UV-vis, NMR (of the zinc complexes), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and density functional theory studies showed excellent agreement between the solution structures of the complexes and their crystallographic data. These investigations unambiguously prove that these bifunctional derivatives display similar coordination properties as their no2th and no3th counterparts, opening the door to targeted bioapplications. The no2th-EtBzNCS and Hno2th1tha ligands were then conjugated to a bombesin antagonist peptide for targeting the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr). To highlight the potential of the two chelators for radiopharmaceutical development, the ⁶⁴Cu-radiolabeling properties, in vitro stability, and binding affinity to GRPr of the corresponding bioconjugates were determined. Altogether, the results of this work warrant the further development of ⁶⁴Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals comprising our novel bifunctional chelators.

Improved Conjugation, 64-Cu Radiolabeling, in Vivo Stability, and Imaging Using Nonprotected Bifunctional Macrocyclic Ligands: Bis(Phosphinate) Cyclam (BPC) Chelators

Bifunctional derivatives of bis(phosphinate)-bearing cyclam (BPC) chelators bearing a carboxylate, amine, isothiocyanate, azide, or cyclooctyne in the BP side chain were synthesized. Conjugations required no protection of phosphinate or ring secondary amine groups. The ring amines were not reactive (proton protected) at pH < ∼8. For isothiocyanate coupling, oligopeptide N-terminal α-amines were more suitable than alkyl amines, e.g., Lys ω-amine (p K_a ∼7.5-8.5 and ∼10-11, respectively) due to lower basicity. The Cu-64 labeling was efficient at room temperature (specific activity ∼100 GBq/μmol; 25 °C, pH 6.2, ∼100 ligand equiv, 10 min). A representative Cu-64-BPC was tested in vivo showing fast clearance and no nonspecific radioactivity deposition. The monoclonal anti-PSCA antibody 7F5 conjugates with thiocyanate BPC derivative or NODAGA were radiolabeled and studied in PC3-PSCA tumor bearing mice by PET. The radiolabeled BPC conjugate was accumulated in the prostate tumor with a low off-target uptake, unlike Cu-64-labeled NODAGA-antibody conjugate. The BPC chelators have a great potential for theranostic applications of the Cu-64/Cu-67 matched pair.

Current advances in ligand design for inorganic positron emission tomography tracers 68Ga, 64Cu, 89Zr and 44Sc

A key part of the development of metal based Positron Emission Tomography probes is the chelation of the radiometal. In this review the recent developments in the chelation of four positron emitting radiometals, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁸⁹Zr and ⁴⁴Sc, are explored. The factors that effect the chelation of each radio metal and the ideal ligand system will be discussed with regards to high in vivo stability, complexation conditions, conjugation to targeting motifs and complexation kinetics. A series of cyclic, cross-bridged and acyclic ligands will be discussed, such as CP256 which forms stable complexes with ⁶⁸Ga under mild conditions and PCB-TE2A which has been shown to form a highly stable complex with ⁶⁴Cu. ⁸⁹Zr and ⁴⁴Sc have seen significant development in recent years with a number of chelates being applied to each metal - eight coordinate di-macrocyclic terephthalamide ligands were found to rapidly produce more stable complexes with ⁸⁹Zr than the widely used DFO.

Formation and decomplexation kinetics of copper(ii) complexes with cyclen derivatives having mixed carboxylate and phosphonate pendant arms

The kinetic properties of Cu(ii) complexes of H4dota and its analogues with one (H5do3ap), two in the 1,7-position (trans-H6do2a2p), three (H7doa3p) and four (H8dotp) phosphonic acid pendant arms were investigated. The formation of a Cu(ii) complex with H4dota, trans-H6do2a2p and H8dotp at a slightly acidic pH is faster for the phosphonic acid derivatives than for H4dota, but with no simple dependence on the number of -CH2PO3H2 substituents (trans-H6do2a2p > H8dotp > H4dota; pH 4-6). Relative differences in the reactivity among the differently protonated species (HnL(x-)) of the same ligand are successively decreased with the more phosphonic acid groups in the ligand. The faster complexation is probably caused by the higher ability of phosphonates to bind the metal ion and/or to assist in the transfer of protons from the ring amine groups to the bulk water. The acid-assisted decomplexation kinetics of the complexes was followed in highly acidic solutions ([H(+)] = 0.01-5 M) and at different temperatures (15-70 °C) to determine the activation parameters of the reaction. The kinetic inertness of the Cu(ii) complexes follows the order: H4dota > H5do3ap > trans-H6do2a2p > H7doa3p > H8dotp. To obtain information on the influence of additional pendant arms, analogous data were obtained for trans-H2do2a. The ligand is less reactive than H4dota, but the kinetic inertness of its Cu(ii) complex is similar to that of the H4dota complex. As it was considered that the published thermodynamics data on the Cu(ii)-H8dotp system are probably incorrect, the system was re-investigated. It showed a very high stability for the [Cu(dotp)](6-) species and the easy formation of several Cu2L species in the presence of an excess of the metal ion. Also, the structure of the (H6doa3p)(-) anion in the solid state was determined. These experimental data demonstrate that the substitution of acetic acid pendant arms by methylphosphonic acid ones in H4dota-like ligands increases the rate of complexation but significantly decreases the kinetic inertness of the Cu(ii) complexes.

Antibody-drug conjugates: Design and development for therapy and imaging in and beyond cancer, LabEx MAbImprove industrial workshop, July 27-28, 2017, Tours, France

The annual "Antibody Industrial Symposium", co organized by LabEx MAbImprove, MabDesign and Polepharma, was held in Tours, France on June 27-28, 2017. The focus was on antibody-drug-conjugates (ADCs), new entities which realize the hope of Paul Ehrlich's magic bullet. ADCs result from the bioconjugation of a highly cytotoxic drug to a selective monoclonal antibody, which acts as a vector. Building on knowledge gained during the development of three approved ADCs, brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®), ado trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®) and inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa®), and the many ADCs in development, this meeting addressed strategies and the latest innovations in the field from fundamental research to manufacturing.

Cyclam te1pa for64Cu PET imaging. Bioconjugation to antibody, radiolabeling and preclinical application in xenografted colorectal cancer

te1pa conjugated to an F6 antibody was confirmed to be an interesting alternative to dota for⁶⁴Cuin vivoPET imaging.

Bifunctional bispidine derivatives for copper-64 labelling and positron emission tomography

A bispidine cage coordinates ⁶⁴Cu²⁺ rapidly and quantitatively at room temperature, and biotin and maleimide functions allow for targeted PET imaging.

New synthesis of phenyl-isothiocyanate C-functionalised cyclams. Bioconjugation and (64)Cu phenotypic PET imaging studies of multiple myeloma with the te2a derivative

Azamacrocyclic bifunctional chelating agents (BCAs) are essential for the development of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine and we wish to prove that their bioconjugation by a function present on a carbon atom of the macrocyclic skeleton is a solution of choice to maintain their in vivo inertness. Based on our very recent methodology using a bisaminal template and selective N-alkylation approach, a new synthesis of conjugable C-functionalised teta, te2a and cb-te2a has been developed. These chelators have indeed a growing interest in nuclear medicine for positron emission tomography (PET) and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) where they show in several cases better complexation properties than dota or dota-like macrocycles, especially with (64)Cu or (67)Cu radioisotopes. Chelators are bearing an isothiocyanate grafting function introduced by C-alkylation to avoid as much as possible a critical decrease of their chelating properties. The synthesis is very efficient and yields the targeted ligands, teta-Ph-NCS, te2a-Ph-NCS and cb-te2a-Ph-NCS without fastidious work-up and could be easily extended to other cyclam based-BCAs. The newly synthetised te2a-Ph-NCS has been conjugated to an anti mCD138 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to evaluate its in vivo behavior and potentiality as BCA and to explore a first attempt of PET-phenotypic imaging in multiple myeloma (MM). Mass spectrometry analysis of the immunoconjugate showed that up to 4 chelates were conjugated per 9E7.4 mAb. The radiolabeling yield and specific activity post-purification of the bioconjugate 9E7.4-CSN-Ph-te2a were 95 ± 2.8% and 188 ± 27 MBq mg(-1) respectively and the immunoreactivity of (64)Cu-9E7.4-CSN-Ph-te2a was 81 ± 7%. Animal experiments were carried out on 5T33-Luc(+) tumor bearing mice, either in subcutaneous or orthotopic. To achieve PET imaging, mice were injected with (64)Cu-9E7.4-CNS-Ph-te2a and acquisitions were conducted 2 and 20 h post-injection (PI). A millimetric bone uptake was localised in a sacroiliac of a MM orthotopic tumor. Nonspecific uptakes were observed at 2 h PI but, unlike for the tumor, a significant decrease was observed at 20 h PI which improves the contrast of the images.

Improving the stability and inertness of Cu(ii) and Cu(i) complexes with methylthiazolyl ligands by tuning the macrocyclic structure

A tacn based ligand bearing two methylthiazolyl arms (no2th) was synthesized with the aim to find ligands forming very stable and inert complexes with Cu(ii) and Cu(i) in aqueous medium for radiopharmaceutical applications. The no2th ligand was efficiently prepared following the orthoamide intermediate synthesis. The complexes with Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) were obtained and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The [Cu(no2th)](2+) complex presents a pentacoordinated distorted square pyramidal coordination geometry, while the metal ion in [Zn(no2th)](2+) adopts a hexacoordinated distorted trigonal prismatic geometry involving the coordination of a perchlorate counter ion. The acid-base properties of no2th have been studied using potentiometric titrations, and the stability constants of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes were determined by potentiometric and UV-vis titrations using H4edta as a competitor ligand. The stability constant determined for the Cu(2+) complex is rather high (log KCuL = 20.77 and pCu = 17.15), and moreover no2th exhibits a high selectivity for copper(ii) in relation to zinc(ii). The kinetics of the copper(ii) complexation process is very fast even in acidic medium. In addition, the [Cu(no2th)](2+) complex was found to be inert under rather harsh conditions (up to 2 M HCl and 60 °C), displaying a very high half-life time of about 15 days in 2 M HCl at 90 °C. The electrochemical reduction of the copper(ii) complex in water leads to the reversible formation of a stable copper(i) species. Spectroscopic studies performed by NMR, UV-vis and EPR, assisted by theoretical calculations, show that the [Cu(no2th)](2+) complex presents a structure in solution similar to that observed in the solid state. When compared to its cyclam di-N-methylthiazolyl counterpart, the results reported in this paper unambiguously show that replacing the cyclam unit by a tacn moiety improves the stability and inertness of its Cu(ii) and Cu(i) complexes.

Radiometals: towards a new success story in nuclear imaging?

The use of radiometal isotopes in positron emission tomography: a new success story in nuclear imaging?