The role of coordination chemistry in the development of copper and rhenium radiopharmaceuticals

Radiolabeling Diaminosarcophagine with Cyclotron-Produced Cobalt-55 and [55Co]Co-NT-Sarcage as a Proof of Concept in a Murine Xenograft Model

Cobalt-sarcophagine complexes exhibit high kinetic inertness under various stringent conditions, but there is limited literature on radiolabeling and in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using no carrier added 55Co. To fill this gap, this study first investigates the radiolabeling of DiAmSar (DSar) with 55Co, followed by stability evaluation in human serum and EDTA, pharmacokinetics in mice, and a direct comparison with [55Co]CoCl2 to assess differences in pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, the radiolabeling process was successfully used to generate the NTSR1-targeted PET agent [55Co]Co-NT-Sarcage (a DSar-functionalized SR142948 derivative) and administered to HT29 tumor xenografted mice. The [55Co]Co-DSar complex can be formed at 37 °C with purity and stability suitable for preclinical in vivo radiopharmaceutical applications, and [55Co]Co-NT-Sarcage demonstrated prominent tumor uptake with a low background signal. In a direct comparison with [64Cu]Cu-NT-Sarcage, [55Co]Co-NT-Sarcage achieved a higher tumor-to-liver ratio but with overall similar biodistribution profile. These results demonstrate that Sar would be a promising chelator for constructing Co-based radiopharmaceuticals including 55Co for PET and 58mCo for therapeutic applications.

Exploring Aqueous Coordination Chemistry of Highly Lewis Acidic Metals with Emerging Isotopes for Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine harnesses radioisotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. While the isotopes 99mTc and 111In have enabled the clinical diagnosis of millions of patients over the past 3 decades, more recent clinical translation of numerous 68Ga/177Lu-based radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapy underscores the clinical utility of metal-based radiopharmaceuticals in mainstream cancer treatment. In addition to such established radionuclides, advancements in radioisotope production have enabled the production of radionuclides with a broad range of half-lives and emission properties of interest for nuclear medicine. Chemical means to form kinetically inert, in vivo-compatible species that can be modified with disease-targeting vectors is imperative. This presents a challenge for radiosiotopes of elements where the aqueous chemistry is still underdeveloped and poorly understood. Here, we discuss our efforts to date in exploring the aqueous, radioactive coordination chemistry of highly Lewis acidic metal ions and how our discoveries apply to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in preclinical models of disease. The scope of this Account includes approaches to aqueous coordination of to-date understudied highly Lewis acidic metal ions with radioisotopes of emerging interest and the modulation of well-understood coordination environments of radio-coordination complexes to induce metal-catalyzed reactivity for separation and pro-drug applications.First, we discuss the development of seven-coordinate, small-cavity macrocyclic chelator platform mpatcn/picaga as an exemplary case study, which forms robust complexes with 44Sc/47Sc isotopes. Due to the high chemical hardness and pronounced Lewis acidity of the Sc3+ ion, the displacement of ternary ligand H2O by 18/natF- can be achieved to form an inert Sc-18/natF bond. Corresponding coordination complex natSc-18F is in vivo compatible and forms a theranostic tetrad with corresponding 44Sc/47Sc, 177Lu complexes all exhibiting homologous biodistribution profiles. Another exceptionally hard, highly Lewis acidic ion with underdeveloped aqueous chemistry and emerging interest in nuclear medicine is 45Ti4+. To develop de novo approaches to the mononuclear chelation of this ion under aqueous conditions, we employed a fragment-based bidentate ligand screening approach which identified two leads. The screen successfully predicted the formation of [45Ti][Ti(TREN-CAM)], a Ti-triscatechol complex that exhibits remarkable in vivo stability. Furthermore, the fragment-based screen also identified approaches that enabled solid-phase separation of Ti4+ and Sc3+ of interest in streamlining the isotope production of 45Ti and accessing new ways to separate 44Ti/44Sc for the development of a long-lived generator system. In addition to establishing the inert chelation of Ti4+ and Sc3+, we introduce controlled, metal-induced reactivity of corresponding coordination complexes on macroscopic and radiotracer scales. Metal-mediated autolytic amide bond cleavage (MMAAC) enables the temperature-dependent release of high-molar-activity, ready-to-inject radiopharmaceuticals; cleavage is selectively triggered by coordinated trivalent Lewis acid nat/68Ga3+ or Sc3+. Following the scope of reactivity and mechanistic studies, we validated MMAAC for the synthesis of high-molar-activity radiopharmaceuticals to image molecular targets with low expression and metal-mediated prodrug hydrolysis in vivo.This Account summarizes how developing the aqueous coordination chemistry and tuning the chemical reactivity of metal ions with high Lewis acidity at the macroscopic and tracer scales directly apply to the radiopharmaceutical synthesis with clinical potential.

An Overview of In Vitro Assays of 64Cu-, 68Ga-, 125I-, and 99mTc-Labelled Radiopharmaceuticals Using Radiometric Counters in the Era of Radiotheranostics

Radionuclides are unstable isotopes that mainly emit alpha (α), beta (β) or gamma (γ) radiation through radiation decay. Therefore, they are used in the biomedical field to label biomolecules or drugs for diagnostic imaging applications, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and/or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A growing field of research is the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for use in cancer treatments. Preclinical studies are the gold standard for translational research. Specifically, in vitro radiopharmaceutical studies are based on the use of radiopharmaceuticals directly on cells. To date, radiometric β- and γ-counters are the only tools able to assess a preclinical in vitro assay with the aim of estimating uptake, retention, and release parameters, including time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity and kinetic parameters. This review has been designed for researchers, such as biologists and biotechnologists, who would like to approach the radiobiology field and conduct in vitro assays for cellular radioactivity evaluations using radiometric counters. To demonstrate the importance of in vitro radiopharmaceutical assays using radiometric counters with a view to radiogenomics, many studies based on ⁶⁴Cu-, ⁶⁸Ga-, ¹²⁵I-, and ^99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals have been revised and summarized in this manuscript.

Recent Development in Coordination Compounds as a Sensor for Cyanide Ions in Biological and Environmental Segments

Rapid detection of toxic ions has taken great attention in the last few decades due to its importance in maintaining a greener environment for human beings. The extreme toxicity of cyanide (CN-) ions is a great environmental concern as its continued industrial use generates interest in facile and sensitive methods for CN- ions detection. Since CN- ions act as a ligand in coordination chemistry which rapidly coordinates with suitable metals and forms complexes, this ability was mainly explored in its detection. It also attacks the central metal in coordination compounds and gives a fluorimetric response. Coordination compounds behave as a sensor for the detection of important ions like CN- ions and have gained great attention due to their facile synthesis, multianalyte detection, clear detection and low detection limit. Recently, considerable efforts have been devoted to the detection and quantification of hazardous multianalyte using a single probe. Cu2+ complexes are the main complexes used for CN- ions detection; however, the complexes of many other metals are also used as sensors. Four basic types of interaction have been discussed in coordination compound sensors for CN- detection. The performances of different sensors are compared with one another and the sensors which have the lowest detection limit are highlighted. This review comprises the progress made by coordination compounds as sensors for the detection of CN- ions in the last six years (2015-2021). To the best of our knowledge, there is no review on coordination compounds as a sensor for CN- ions during this period. [Figure: see text].

Bifunctional chelators for radiorhenium: past, present and future outlook

Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRNT) is an ever-expanding field of nuclear medicine that provides a personalised approach to cancer treatment while limiting toxicity to normal tissues. It involves the radiolabelling of a biological targeting vector with an appropriate therapeutic radionuclide, often facilitated by the use of a bifunctional chelator (BFC) to stably link the two entities. The radioisotopes of rhenium, 186Re (t 1/2 = 90 h, 1.07 MeV β-, 137 keV γ (9%)) and 188Re (t 1/2 = 16.9 h, 2.12 MeV β-, 155 keV γ (15%)), are particularly attractive for radiotherapy because of their convenient and high-abundance β--particle emissions as well as their imageable γ-emissions and chemical similarity to technetium. As a transition metal element with multiple oxidation states and coordination numbers accessible for complexation, there is great opportunity available when it comes to developing novel BFCs for rhenium. The purpose of this review is to provide a recap on some of the past successes and failings, as well as show some more current efforts in the design of BFCs for 186/188Re. Future use of these radionuclides for radiotherapy depends on their cost-effective availability and this will also be discussed. Finally, bioconjugation strategies for radiolabelling biomolecules with 186/188Re will be touched upon.

Coordination complexes constructed from pyrazole-acetamide and pyrazole-quinoxaline: effect of hydrogen bonding on the self-assembly process and antibacterial activity

Two mononuclear coordination complexes of N-(2-aminophenyl)-2-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)acetamide (L₁), namely [Cd(L₁)₂Cl₂] (C₁) and [Cu(L₁)₂(C₂H₅OH)₂](NO₃)₂ (C₂) and one mononuclear complex [Fe(L₂)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂·2H₂O (C₃), obtained after in situ oxidation of L₁, have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. As revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, each coordination sphere made of two heterocycles is completed either by two chloride anions (in C₁), two ethanol molecules (in C₂) or two water molecules (in C₃). The crystal packing analysis of C₁, C₂ and C₃, revealed 1D and 2D supramolecular architectures, respectively, via various hydrogen bonding interactions, which are discussed in detail. Furthermore, evaluation in vitro of the ligands and their metal complexes for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 4157), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Streptococcus fasciens (ATCC 29212) strains of bacteria, revealed outstanding results compared to chloramphenicol, a well-known antibiotic, with a normalized minimum inhibitory concentration as low as 5 μg mL⁻¹.

Two mononuclear coordination complexes of N-(2-aminophenyl)-2-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)acetamide (L₁) and one mononuclear complex, obtained after in situ oxidation of L₁, have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically.

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.

Inorganic ions in the skin: Allies or enemies?

Skin constitutes a barrier protecting the organism against physical and chemical factors. Therefore, it is constantly exposed to the xenobiotics, including inorganic ions that are ubiquitous in the environment. Some of them play important roles in homeostasis and regulatory functions of the body, also in the skin, while others can be considered dangerous. Many authors have shown that inorganic ions could penetrate inside the skin and possibly induce local effects. In this review, we give an account of the current knowledge on the effects of skin exposure to inorganic ions. Beneficial effects on skin conditions related to the use of thermal spring waters are discussed together with the application of aluminium in underarm hygiene products and silver salts in treatment of difficult wounds. Finally, the potential consequences of dermal exposure to topical sensitizers and harmful heavy ions including radionuclides are discussed.

The emerging value of 64Cu for molecular imaging and therapy

Along with other novel metallic radionuclides, copper-64 (⁶⁴Cu) is currently being investigated as an alternative option to the gallium-68 (⁶⁸Ga) and lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu) radiopharmaceuticals widely used for targeting somatostatin receptors, expressed by neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and recently prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), expressed by prostate cancer cells. This interest is mostly driven by the peculiar nuclear properties of ⁶⁴Cu that make it an almost ideal example of theranostic radionuclide. In fact, ⁶⁴Cu emits both low-energy positrons, β^- particles and a swarm of Auger electrons. This combination of different emissions may allow to collect high-resolution PET images, but also to use the same radiopharmaceutical for eliciting a therapeutic effect. Another unique behavior of ⁶⁴Cu originates from the fundamental biological role played in organisms by the ionic forms of the copper element, which is naturally involved in a multitude of cellular processes including cell replication. These intrinsic biological characteristics has led to the discovery that ⁶⁴Cu, under its simplest dicationic form Cu²⁺, is able to specifically target a variety of cancerous cells and to detect the onset of a metastatic process in its initial stage. This short review reports an outline of the status of ⁶⁴Cu radiopharmaceuticals and of the most relevant results that are constantly disclosed by preclinical and investigational clinical studies.

Rhenium(V)-oxo complexes [ReOX2(N∩O)(EPh3)] (X=Cl, Br, I; E=P, As) – synthesis, structure, spectroscopy, and catalytic properties

The present review aims to give a comprehensive survey about the chemistry of rhenium(V)-oxo complexes of general formula [ReOX2(N∩O)(EPh3)], where X=Cl, Br, I, E=P, As, and N∩O stands for uninegative chelating N∩O-ligand, carried out within the last four decades. In addition to the synthesis aspects, the available structural data as well as the results issued from techniques such as infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies are collected and discussed. Furthermore, a brief description of the applications of these compounds in catalysis is included.

Towards dual SPECT/optical bioimaging with a mitochondrial targeting, 99mTc(i) radiolabelled 1,8-naphthalimide conjugate

A series of six different 1,8-naphthalimide conjugated dipicolylamine ligands (L1-6) have been synthesised and characterised. The ligands possess a range of different linker units between the napthalimide fluorophore and dipcolylamine chelator which allow the overall lipophilicity to be tuned. A corresponding series of Re(i) complexes have been synthesised of the form fac-[Re(CO)3(L1-6)]BF4. The absorption and luminescence properties of the ligands and Re(i) complexes were dominated by the intramolecular charge transfer character of the substituted fluorophore (typically absorption ca. 425 nm and emission ca. 520 nm). Photophysical assessments show that some of the variants are moderately bright. Radiolabelling experiments using a water soluble ligand variant (L5) were successfully undertaken and optimised with fac-[99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that fac-[Re(CO)3(L5)]+ localises in the mitochondria of MCF-7 cells. SPECT/CT imaging experiments on naïve mice showed that fac-[99mTc(CO)3(L5)]+ has a relatively high stability in vivo but did not show any cardiac uptake, demonstrating rapid clearance, predominantly via the biliary system along with a moderate amount cleared renally.

Synthesis of 18 F-radiolabeled diphenyl gallium dithiosemicarbazone using a novel halogen exchange method and in vivo biodistribution

¹⁸ F-radiolabeled diphenyl gallium thiosemicarbazone was prepared by [¹⁸ F] fluoride exchange of a nitrato anion under mild conditions. The diphenyl gallium thiosemicarbazone chloride is easily prepared in gram quantities and can be used at room temperature in the presence of oxygen. The corresponding nitrate complex is prepared using silver nitrate in methanol solvent and can be stored under nitrogen for weeks before radiolabeling. The biodistribution of this new tracer was studied in mice using positron emission tomography (PET).

Rhenium-188 Labeled Radiopharmaceuticals: Current Clinical Applications in Oncology and Promising Perspectives

Rhenium-188 (¹⁸⁸Re) is a high energy beta-emitting radioisotope with a short 16.9 h physical half-life, which has been shown to be a very attractive candidate for use in therapeutic nuclear medicine. The high beta emission has an average energy of 784 keV and a maximum energy of 2.12 MeV, sufficient to penetrate and destroy targeted abnormal tissues. In addition, the low-abundant gamma emission of 155 keV (15%) is efficient for imaging and for dosimetric calculations. These key characteristics identify ¹⁸⁸Re as an important therapeutic radioisotope for routine clinical use. Moreover, the highly reproducible on-demand availability of ¹⁸⁸Re from the ¹⁸⁸W/¹⁸⁸Re generator system is an important feature and permits installation in hospital-based or central radiopharmacies for cost-effective availability of no-carrier-added (NCA) ¹⁸⁸Re. Rhenium-188 and technetium-99 m exhibit similar chemical properties and represent a “theranostic pair.” Thus, preparation and targeting of ¹⁸⁸Re agents for therapy is similar to imaging agents prepared with ^99mTc, the most commonly used diagnostic radionuclide. Over the last three decades, radiopharmaceuticals based on ¹⁸⁸Re-labeled small molecules, including peptides, antibodies, Lipiodol and particulates have been reported. The successful application of these ¹⁸⁸Re-labeled therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals has been reported in multiple early phase clinical trials for the management of various primary tumors, bone metastasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and endocoronary interventions. This article reviews the use of ¹⁸⁸Re-radiopharmaceuticals which have been investigated in patients for cancer treatment, demonstrating that ¹⁸⁸Re represents a cost effective alternative for routine clinical use in comparison to more expensive and/or less readily available therapeutic radioisotopes.

Radioactive Transition Metals for Imaging and Therapy

Nuclear medicine is composed of two complementary areas, imaging and therapy. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon imaging, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), comprise the imaging component of nuclear medicine. These areas are distinct in that they exploit different nuclear decay processes and also different imaging technologies. In PET, images are created from the 511 keV photons produced when the positron emitted by a radionuclide encounters an electron and is annihilated. In contrast, in single-photon imaging, images are created from the γ rays (and occasionally X-rays) directly emitted by the nucleus. Therapeutic nuclear medicine uses particulate radiation such as Auger or conversion electrons or β^- or α particles. All three of these technologies are linked by the requirement that the radionuclide must be attached to a suitable vector that can deliver it to its target. It is imperative that the radionuclide remain attached to the vector before it is delivered to its target as well as after it reaches its target or else the resulting image (or therapeutic outcome) will not reflect the biological process of interest. Radiochemistry is at the core of this process, and radiometals offer radiopharmaceutical chemists a tremendous range of options with which to accomplish these goals. They also offer a wide range of options in terms of radionuclide half-lives and emission properties, providing the ability to carefully match the decay properties with the desired outcome. This Review provides an overview of some of the ways this can be accomplished as well as several historical examples of some of the limitations of earlier metalloradiopharmaceuticals and the ways that new technologies, primarily related to radionuclide production, have provided solutions to these problems.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of Pd(ii), Cu(ii), Re(i) and 99mTc(i) thiazole-based complexes

A new thiazole-containing multidentate ligand 2-((2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)methylthio)ethanamine, L, was synthesized and used to prepare new complexes of the formula Pd^IILCl₂ (Pd-L), Cu^IIL₂Cl₂ (Cu-L) and fac-[Re/^99mTc^I(CO)₃(L)]⁺ (Re/^99mTc-L). The ligand L and the metal complexes were characterized spectroscopically. Furthermore, the structures of Re-L and Cu-L were elucidated by X-ray crystallography. Ligand L acts as a bidentate (N_th, S) chelator in Pd-L, as a bidentate (N, S) chelator in Cu-L and as a tridentate (N_th, S, N) chelator in Re-L. The radiotracer ^99mTc-L was synthesized in high yield and characterised by HPLC comparison with the Re-L analog. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The compounds exhibited low anti-inflammatory activity with Pd-L showing the highest activity among them. The cytotoxic activity of the ligand and the complexes against several human cancer cell lines (cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa, colorectal adenocarcinoma LS-174T, lung adenocarcinoma A549, breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 and normal human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5) was examined using the MTT assay. The complex Cu-L exhibited the highest cytotoxicity and the complex Pd-L showed the best tumor selectivity. The changes in the cell cycle phase distribution were determined by flow cytometry and it was found that ligand L shows the highest apoptotic activity. The biodistribution studies of ^99mTc-L in mice showed fast tissue clearance. Of all the thiazole-containing compounds, the palladium complex appears to be more promising for future efforts.

Transglutaminase-mediated conjugation and nitride-technetium-99m labelling of a bis(thiosemicarbazone) bifunctional chelator

An assessment study involving the use of the transglutaminase (TGase) conjugation method and the nitride-technetium-99m labelling on a bis(thiosemicarbazone) (BTS) bifunctional chelating agent is presented. The previously described chelator diacetyl-2-(N⁴-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone)-3-(N⁴-amino-3-thiosemicarbazone), H₂ATSM/A, has been functionalized with 6-aminohexanoic acid (ε-Ahx) to generate the bifunctional chelating agent diacetyl-2-(N⁴-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone)-3-[N⁴-(amino)-(6-aminohexanoic acid)-3-thiosemicarbazone], H₂ATSM/A-ε-Ahx (1), suitable for conjugation to glutamine (Gln) residues of bioactive molecules via TGase. The feasibility of the TGase reaction in the synthesis of a bioconjugate derivative was investigated using Substance P (SP) as model peptide. Compounds 1 and H₂ATSM/A-ε-Ahx-SP (2) were labelled with nitride-technetium-99m, obtaining the complexes [^99mTc][Tc(N)(ATSM/A-ε-Ahx)] (^99mTc1) and [^99mTc][Tc(N)(ATSM/A-ε-Ahx-SP)] (^99mTc2). The chemical identity of ^99mTc1 and ^99mTc2 was confirmed by radio/UV-RP-HPLC combined with ESI-MS analysis on the respective carrier-added products ^99g/99mTc1 and ^99g/99mTc2. The stability of the radiolabelled complexes after incubation in various environments was investigated. All the results were compared with those obtained for the corresponding ⁶⁴Cu-analogues, ⁶⁴Cu1 and ⁶⁴Cu2. The TGase reaction allows the conjugation of 1 with the peptide, but it is not highly efficient due to instability of the chelator in the required conditions. The SP-conjugated complexes are unstable in mouse and human sera. However, indeed the BTS system can be exploited as nitride-technetium-99m chelator for highly efficient technetium labelling, thus making compound 1 worthy of further investigations for new targeted technetium and copper radiopharmaceuticals encompassing Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography imaging.

Rhenium and Technetium-oxo Complexes with Thioamide Derivatives of Pyridylhydrazine Bifunctional Chelators Conjugated to the Tumour Targeting Peptides Octreotate and Cyclic-RGDfK

This research aimed to develop new tumor targeted theranostic agents taking advantage of the similarities in coordination chemistry between technetium and rhenium. A γ-emitting radioactive isotope of technetium is commonly used in diagnostic imaging, and there are two β- emitting radioactive isotopes of rhenium that have the potential to be of use in radiotherapy. Variants of the 6-hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) bifunctional ligands have been prepared by appending thioamide functional groups to 6-hydrazinonicotinamide to form pyridylthiosemicarbazide ligands (SHYNIC). The new bidentate ligands were conjugated to the tumor targeting peptides Tyr3-octreotate and cyclic-RGD. The new ligands and conjugates were used to prepare well-defined {M═O}3+ complexes (where M = 99mTc or natRe or 188Re) that feature two targeting peptides attached to the single metal ion. These new SHYNIC ligands are capable of forming well-defined rhenium and technetium complexes and offer the possibility of using the 99mTc imaging and 188/186Re therapeutic matched pairs.

New Iminodiacetate-Thiosemicarbazone Hybrids and Their Copper(II) Complexes Are Potential Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 Inhibitors with High Antiproliferative Activity

As ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) plays a crucial role in nucleic acid metabolism, it is an important target for anticancer therapy. The thiosemicarbazone Triapine is an efficient R2 inhibitor, which has entered ∼20 clinical trials. Thiosemicarbazones are supposed to exert their biological effects through effectively binding transition-metal ions. In this study, six iminodiacetate-thiosemicarbazones able to form transition-metal complexes, as well as six dicopper(II) complexes, were synthesized and fully characterized by analytical, spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV-vis; ¹H and ¹³C NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. The antiproliferative effects were examined in several human cancer and one noncancerous cell lines. Several of the compounds showed high cytotoxicity and marked selectivity for cancer cells. On the basis of this, and on molecular docking calculations one lead dicopper(II) complex and one thiosemicarbazone were chosen for in vitro analysis as potential R2 inhibitors. Their interaction with R2 and effect on the Fe(III)₂-Y· cofactor were characterized by microscale thermophoresis, and two spectroscopic techniques, namely, electron paramagnetic resonance and UV-vis spectroscopy. Our findings suggest that several of the synthesized proligands and copper(II) complexes are effective antiproliferative agents in several cancer cell lines, targeting RNR, which deserve further investigation as potential anticancer drugs.

A gallium(III) Schiff base-curcumin complex that binds to amyloid-β plaques

Gallium-68 is a positron-emitting isotope that can be used in positron-emission tomography imaging agents. Alzheimer's disease is associated with the formation of plaques in the brain primarily comprised of aggregates of a 42 amino acid protein called amyloid-β. With the goal of synthesising charge neutral, low molecular weight, lipophilic gallium complexes with the potential to cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to Aβ plaques we have used an ancillary tetradentate N₂O₂ Schiff base ligand and the β-diketone curcumin as a bidentate ligand to give a six-coordinate Ga³⁺ complex. The tetradentate Schiff base ligand adopts the cis-β configuration with deprotonated curcumin acting as a bidentate ligand. The complex binds to amyloid-β plaques in human brain tissue and it is possible that extension of this chemistry to positron-emitting gallium-68 could provide useful imaging agents for Alzheimer's disease.

A novel copper(II) complex identified as a potent drug against colorectal and breast cancer cells and as a poison inhibitor for human topoisomerase IIα

A novel complex, [Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl•0.25C2H5OH 1 (where acetylethTSC = (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide), was shown to have anti-proliferative activity against various colon and aggressive breast cancer cell lines. In vitro studies showed that complex 1 acted as a poison inhibitor of human topoisomerase IIα, which may account for the observed anti-cancer effects.

Evaluation of H2CHXdedpa, H2dedpa- and H2CHXdedpa-N,N′-propyl-2-NI ligands for 64Cu(ii) radiopharmaceuticals

Hexadentate acyclic chelate H₂CHXdedpa and related N,N′-alkylated ligands are radiolabeled with radioactive ⁶⁴Cu(ii) under mild conditions forming kinetically inert complexes.

C-Functionalized chiral dioxocyclam and cyclam derivatives with 1,2,3-triazole units: synthesis, complexation properties and crystal structures of copper(ii) complexes

NewC-functionalized dioxocyclam and cyclam derivatives with 1,2,3-triazoles attached to carbon atoms within the skeleton were designed as valuable bifunctional chelators for molecular imaging.

Reinforced cyclam derivatives functionalized on the bridging unit

The introduction of one or two nitriles on the bridge of reinforced cyclams paves the way for the synthesis of new bifunctional chelating agents. X-ray structures of the chelators and of two copper complexes are reported.

Heteronuclear NMR Spectroscopic Investigations of Gallium Complexes of Substituted Thiosemicarbazones Including X-Ray Crystal Structure, a New Halogen Exchange Strategy, and 18F Radiolabelling

Five thiosemicarbazone ligands have been synthesized, and their coordination chemistry with gallium was investigated. The reaction of these thiosemicarbazones with gallium chloride in alcohol solutions in the presence of a base yielded the corresponding penta-coordinated Ga-Cl metal complexes. In contrast, the reaction of gallium nitrate with the ligands in the presence of alkoxides resulted in the formation of the corresponding Ga-alkoxides, rather than the anticipated Ga-nitrate complex. The crystal structures of gallium chloride and gallium methoxide complexes of diphenylthiosemicarbazone comprise a planar configuration of the tetradentate-coordinated thiosemicarbazone with Ga3+ ion, with the chloride or methoxide groups occupying the apical coordination site. The corresponding ethoxido complex was also prepared in an identical fashion, and NMR analysis confirmed structural similarity to the methoxido complex. Facile halogen exchange reactions of the gallium chloride complexes were achieved by treatment with silver nitrate, followed by addition of KF or KI to generate the gallium fluoride and iodide complexes, respectively. This method of exchange using halogenated inorganic salts aids the preparation of group 13 fluorides, which are notoriously insoluble in organic solvents, for complexation with organic ligands. All compounds have been fully characterized by NMR, and the X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes are reported. Additionally, the positron-emitting isotope 18F was introduced in the structure of the diphenyl gallium thiosemicarbazone complex.

Phosphonate Pendant Armed Propylene Cross-Bridged Cyclam: Synthesis and Evaluation as a Chelator for Cu-64

A propylene cross-bridged macrocyclic chelator with two phosphonate pendant arms (PCB-TE2P) was synthesized from cyclam. Various properties of the synthesized chelator, including Cu-complexation, Cu-complex stability, (64)Cu-radiolabeling, and in vivo behavior, were studied and compared with those of a previously reported propylene cross-bridged chelator (PCB-TE2A).

Rhenium complexes of bidentate, bis-bidentate and tridentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Rhenium(i) tricarbonyl complexes of a range of bidentate, bis-bidentate and tridentate NHC ligands have been prepared. These NHC ligands are of interest for possible applications in the development of Tc-99m or Re-186/188 radiopharmaceuticals and the stability of two complexes were evaluated in ligand challenge experiments using the metal binding amino acids l-histidine or l-cysteine.

Recent advances in biological applications of cage metal complexes

This review highlights advances in biochemical and medical applications of cage metal complexes (clathrochelates) and related polyhedral compounds.