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Shinada M, Takahashi M, Igarashi C, Matsumoto H, Hihara F, Tachibana T, Oikawa M, Suzuki H, Zhang MR, Higashi T, Kurihara H, Yoshii Y, Doi Y. 64Cu 2+ Complexes of Tripodal Amine Ligands' In Vivo Tumor and Liver Uptakes and Intracellular Cu Distribution in the Extrahepatic Bile Duct Carcinoma Cell Line TFK-1: A Basic Comparative Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:820. [PMID: 39065671 PMCID: PMC11280065 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a critical element for cancer cell proliferation and considerably accumulates in the nucleus. 64Cu2+ is an anticancer radiopharmaceutical that targets the copper requirement of cancer cells. However, intravenously injected 64Cu2+ ions primarily accumulate in the liver. Ligand complexation of 64Cu2+ may be a promising method for increasing tumor delivery by reducing liver uptake. In this study, we used three tripodal amine ligands [tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (Tren), diethylenetriamine (Dien), and tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA)] to enclose 64Cu2+ ions and compared their in vivo tumor and liver uptakes using a tumor-bearing xenograft mouse model of the extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma cell line TFK-1. We examined intracellular Cu distribution using microparticle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis of these compounds. 64Cu2+-Tren and 64Cu2+-Dien showed higher tumor uptake than 64Cu2+-TPMA and 64Cu2+ ions in TFK-1 tumors. Among the three 64Cu2+ complexes and 64Cu2+ ions, liver uptake was inversely correlated with tumor uptake. Micro-PIXE analysis showed that in vitro cellular uptake was similar to in vivo tumor uptake, and nuclear delivery was the highest for 64Cu2+-Tren. Conclusively, an inverse correlation between tumor and liver uptake was observed using three 64Cu2+ complexes of tripodal amine ligands and 64Cu2+ ions. These results provide useful information for the future development of anticancer 64Cu radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Shinada
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan; (M.T.); (T.T.); (Y.D.)
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa 241-8515, Japan;
| | - Masashi Takahashi
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan; (M.T.); (T.T.); (Y.D.)
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Chika Igarashi
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa 241-8515, Japan;
| | - Hiroki Matsumoto
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa 241-8515, Japan;
| | - Fukiko Hihara
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Tomoko Tachibana
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan; (M.T.); (T.T.); (Y.D.)
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Masakazu Oikawa
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Hisashi Suzuki
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Ming-Rong Zhang
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Tatsuya Higashi
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
| | - Hiroaki Kurihara
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa 241-8515, Japan;
| | - Yukie Yoshii
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (C.I.); (H.M.); (F.H.); (M.O.); (H.S.); (M.-R.Z.); (T.H.)
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa 241-8515, Japan;
| | - Yoshihiro Doi
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan; (M.T.); (T.T.); (Y.D.)
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Abdolmaleki S, Aliabadi A, Khaksar S. Unveiling the promising anticancer effect of copper-based compounds: a comprehensive review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:213. [PMID: 38662225 PMCID: PMC11045632 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05641-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Copper is a necessary micronutrient for maintaining the well-being of the human body. The biological activity of organic ligands, especially their anticancer activity, is often enhanced when they coordinate with copper(I) and (II) ions. Copper and its compounds are capable of inducing tumor cell death through various mechanisms of action, including activation of apoptosis signaling pathways by reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of angiogenesis, induction of cuproptosis, and paraptosis. Some of the copper complexes are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for their ability to map tumor hypoxia in various cancers, including locally advanced rectal cancer and bulky tumors. Several studies have shown that copper nanoparticles can be used as effective agents in chemodynamic therapy, phototherapy, hyperthermia, and immunotherapy. Despite the promising anticancer activity of copper-based compounds, their use in clinical trials is subject to certain limitations. Elevated copper concentrations may promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis by affecting cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Abdolmaleki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| | - Alireza Aliabadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, School of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Samad Khaksar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.
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Pinto CIG, Branco ADM, Bucar S, Fonseca A, Abrunhosa AJ, da Silva CL, Guerreiro JF, Mendes F. Evaluation of the theranostic potential of [ 64Cu]CuCl 2 in glioblastoma spheroids. EJNMMI Res 2024; 14:26. [PMID: 38453813 PMCID: PMC10920519 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-024-01084-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is an extremely aggressive malignant tumor with a very poor prognosis. Due to the increased proliferation rate of glioblastoma, there is the development of hypoxic regions, characterized by an increased concentration of copper (Cu). Considering this, 64Cu has attracted attention as a possible theranostic radionuclide for glioblastoma. In particular, [64Cu]CuCl2 accumulates in glioblastoma, being considered a suitable agent for positron emission tomography. Here, we explore further the theranostic potential of [64Cu]CuCl2, by studying its therapeutic effects in advanced three-dimensional glioblastoma cellular models. First, we established spheroids from three glioblastoma (T98G, U373, and U87) and a non-tumoral astrocytic cell line. Then, we evaluated the therapeutic responses of spheroids to [64Cu]CuCl2 exposure by analyzing spheroids' growth, viability, and cells' proliferative capacity. Afterward, we studied possible mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic outcomes, including the uptake of 64Cu, the expression levels of a copper transporter (CTR1), the presence of a cancer stem cell population, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RESULTS Results revealed that [64Cu]CuCl2 is able to significantly reduce spheroids' growth and viability, while also affecting cells' proliferation capacity. The uptake of 64Cu, the presence of cancer stem-like cells and the production of ROS were in accordance with the therapeutic response. However, expression levels of CTR1 were not in agreement with uptake levels, revealing that other mechanisms could be involved in the uptake of 64Cu. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results further support [64Cu]CuCl2 potential as a theranostic agent for glioblastoma, unveiling potential mechanisms that could be involved in the therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina I G Pinto
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André D M Branco
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Bucar
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Fonseca
- CIBIT/ICNAS Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS PHARMA, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antero J Abrunhosa
- CIBIT/ICNAS Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS PHARMA, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia L da Silva
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana F Guerreiro
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa and Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipa Mendes
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- DECN - Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Carrasco-Hernandez J, Ramos-Méndez J, Padilla-Rodal E, Avila-Rodriguez MA. Cellular lethal damage of 64Cu incorporated in mammalian genome evaluated with Monte Carlo methods. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1253746. [PMID: 37841004 PMCID: PMC10575761 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1253746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (TRT) with Auger Emitters (AE) is a technique that allows targeting specific sites on tumor cells using radionuclides. The toxicity of AE is critically dependent on its proximity to the DNA. The aim of this study is to quantify the DNA damage and radiotherapeutic potential of the promising AE radionuclide copper-64 (64Cu) incorporated into the DNA of mammalian cells using Monte Carlo track-structure simulations. Methods A mammalian cell nucleus model with a diameter of 9.3 μm available in TOPAS-nBio was used. The cellular nucleus consisted of double-helix DNA geometrical model of 2.3 nm diameter surrounded by a hydration shell with a thickness of 0.16 nm, organized in 46 chromosomes giving a total of 6.08 giga base-pairs (DNA density of 14.4 Mbp/μm3). The cellular nucleus was irradiated with monoenergetic electrons and radiation emissions from several radionuclides including 111In, 125I, 123I, and 99mTc in addition to 64Cu. For monoenergetic electrons, isotropic point sources randomly distributed within the nucleus were modeled. The radionuclides were incorporated in randomly chosen DNA base pairs at two positions near to the central axis of the double-helix DNA model at (1) 0.25 nm off the central axis and (2) at the periphery of the DNA (1.15 nm off the central axis). For all the radionuclides except for 99mTc, the complete physical decay process was explicitly simulated. For 99mTc only total electron spectrum from published data was used. The DNA Double Strand Breaks (DSB) yield per decay from direct and indirect actions were quantified. Results obtained for monoenergetic electrons and radionuclides 111In, 125I, 123I, and 99mTc were compared with measured and calculated data from the literature for verification purposes. The DSB yields per decay incorporated in DNA for 64Cu are first reported in this work. The therapeutic effect of 64Cu (activity that led 37% cell survival after two cell divisions) was determined in terms of the number of atoms incorporated into the nucleus that would lead to the same DSBs that 100 decays of 125I. Simulations were run until a 2% statistical uncertainty (1 standard deviation) was achieved. Results The behavior of DSBs as a function of the energy for monoenergetic electrons was consistent with published data, the DSBs increased with the energy until it reached a maximum value near 500 eV followed by a continuous decrement. For 64Cu, when incorporated in the genome at evaluated positions (1) and (2), the DSB were 0.171 ± 0.003 and 0.190 ± 0.003 DSB/decay, respectively. The number of initial atoms incorporated into the genome (per cell) for 64Cu that would cause a therapeutic effect was estimated as 3,107 ± 28, that corresponds to an initial activity of 47.1 ± 0.4 × 10-3 Bq. Conclusion Our results showed that TRT with 64Cu has comparable therapeutic effects in cells as that of TRT with radionuclides currently used in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhonatan Carrasco-Hernandez
- Departamento de Estructura de la Materia, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Ramos-Méndez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Padilla-Rodal
- Departamento de Estructura de la Materia, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel A. Avila-Rodriguez
- Unidad Radiofarmacia-Ciclotrón, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Zoi V, Giannakopoulou M, Alexiou GA, Bouziotis P, Thalasselis S, Tzakos AG, Fotopoulos A, Papadopoulos AN, Kyritsis AP, Sioka C. Nuclear Medicine and Cancer Theragnostics: Basic Concepts. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3064. [PMID: 37835806 PMCID: PMC10572920 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer theragnostics is a novel approach that combines diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy. It is based on the use of a pair of radiopharmaceuticals, one optimized for positron emission tomography imaging through linkage to a proper radionuclide, and the other bearing an alpha- or beta-emitter isotope that can induce significant damage to cancer cells. In recent years, the use of theragnostics in nuclear medicine clinical practice has increased considerably, and thus investigation has focused on the identification of novel radionuclides that can bind to molecular targets that are typically dysregulated in different cancers. The major advantages of the theragnostic approach include the elimination of multi-step procedures, reduced adverse effects to normal tissues, early diagnosis, better predictive responses, and personalized patient care. This review aims to discuss emerging theragnostic molecules that have been investigated in a series of human malignancies, including gliomas, thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, cholangiocarcinoma, and prostate cancer, as well as potent and recently introduced molecular targets, like cell-surface receptors, kinases, and cell adhesion proteins. Furthermore, special reference has been made to copper radionuclides as theragnostic agents and their radiopharmaceutical applications since they present promising alternatives to the well-studied gallium-68 and lutetium-177.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Zoi
- Neurosurgical Institute, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - George A. Alexiou
- Neurosurgical Institute, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Penelope Bouziotis
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, 15341 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Andreas G. Tzakos
- Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Chrissa Sioka
- Neurosurgical Institute, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Boschi A, Martini P. Metal-Based Radiopharmaceuticals in Inorganic Chemistry. Molecules 2023; 28:2290. [PMID: 36903534 PMCID: PMC10005725 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of radiopharmaceuticals is constantly evolving thanks to the great contribution of specialists coming from different disciplines such as inorganic chemistry, radiochemistry, organic and biochemistry, pharmacology, nuclear medicine, physics, etc [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Boschi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Petra Martini
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Capriotti G, Piccardo A, Giovannelli E, Signore A. Targeting Copper in Cancer Imaging and Therapy: A New Theragnostic Agent. J Clin Med 2022; 12:jcm12010223. [PMID: 36615024 PMCID: PMC9821557 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper is required for cancer cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Copper-64 radionuclide (64Cu), a form of copper chloride (64CuCl2), is rapidly emerging as a diagnostic PET/CT tracer in oncology. It may also represent an interesting alternative to gallium-68 (68Ga) as a radionuclide precursor for labelling radiopharmaceuticals used to investigate neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. This emerging interest is also related to the nuclear properties of 64CuCl2 that make it an ideal theragnostic nuclide. Indeed, 64CuCl2 emits β+ and β- particles together with high-linear-energy-transfer Auger electrons, suggesting the therapeutic potential of 64CuCl2 for the radionuclide cancer therapy of copper-avid tumors. Recently, 64CuCl2 was successfully used to image prostate cancer, bladder cancer, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and non-small cell lung carcinoma in humans. Copper cancer uptake was related to the expression of human copper transport 1 (hCTR1) on the cancer cell surface. Biodistribution, toxicology and radiation safety studies showed its radiation and toxicology safety. Based on the findings from the preclinical research studies, 64CuCl2 PET/CT also holds potential for the diagnostic imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), malignant melanoma, and the detection of the intracranial metastasis of copper-avid tumors based on the low physiological background of radioactive copper uptake in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Capriotti
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Nuclear Medicine Unit Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- S.C. Medicina Nucleare Ente Ospedaliero “Ospedali Galliera”, 16128 Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Giovannelli
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Nuclear Medicine Unit Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Signore
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Nuclear Medicine Unit Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Recent Advances in Cancer Imaging with 64CuCl2 PET/CT. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 56:80-85. [PMID: 35464672 PMCID: PMC8976861 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-022-00738-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper is required for cancer cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Radioactive copper-64 chloride (64CuCl2) is a useful radiotracer for cancer imaging with position emission tomography (PET) based on increased cellular uptake of copper mediated by human copper transporter 1 (hCtr1) expressed on cancer cell membrane. Significant progress has been made in research of using 64CuCl2 as a radiotracer for cancer imaging with PET. Radiation dosimetry study in humans demonstrated radiation safety of 64CuCl2. Recently, 64CuCl2 was successfully used for PET imaging of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and non-small cell lung carcinoma in humans. Based on the findings from the preclinical research studies, 64CuCl2 PET/CT also holds potential for diagnostic imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), malignant melanoma, and detection of intracranial metastasis of copper-avid tumors based on low physiological background of radioactive copper uptake in the brain. Copper-64 radionuclide emits both β+ and β- particles, suggesting therapeutic potential of 64CuCl2 for radionuclide cancer therapy of copper-avid tumors. Recent progress in production of therapeutic copper-67 radionuclide invites clinical research in use of theranostic pair of 64CuCl2 and 67CuCl2 for cancer imaging and radionuclide therapy.
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Silva F, D’Onofrio A, Mendes C, Pinto C, Marques A, Campello MPC, Oliveira MC, Raposinho P, Belchior A, Di Maria S, Marques F, Cruz C, Carvalho J, Paulo A. Radiolabeled Gold Nanoseeds Decorated with Substance P Peptides: Synthesis, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation in Glioblastoma Cellular Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020617. [PMID: 35054798 PMCID: PMC8775581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite some progress, the overall survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains extremely poor. In this context, there is a pressing need to develop innovative therapy strategies for GBM, namely those based on nanomedicine approaches. Towards this goal, we have focused on nanoparticles (AuNP-SP and AuNP-SPTyr8) with a small gold core (ca. 4 nm), carrying DOTA chelators and substance P (SP) peptides. These new SP-containing AuNPs were characterized by a variety of analytical techniques, including TEM and DLS measurements and UV-vis and CD spectroscopy, which proved their high in vitro stability and poor tendency to interact with plasma proteins. Their labeling with diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides was efficiently performed by DOTA complexation with the trivalent radiometals 67Ga and 177Lu or by electrophilic radioiodination with 125I of the tyrosyl residue in AuNP-SPTyr8. Cellular studies of the resulting radiolabeled AuNPs in NKR1-positive GBM cells (U87, T98G and U373) have shown that the presence of the SP peptides has a crucial and positive impact on their internalization by the tumor cells. Consistently, 177Lu-AuNP-SPTyr8 showed more pronounced radiobiological effects in U373 cells when compared with the non-targeted congener 177Lu-AuNP-TDOTA, as assessed by cell viability and clonogenic assays and corroborated by Monte Carlo microdosimetry simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Silva
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Alice D’Onofrio
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Carolina Mendes
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Catarina Pinto
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Ana Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Maria Paula Cabral Campello
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Oliveira
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Paula Raposinho
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Ana Belchior
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Salvatore Di Maria
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI-Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (C.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Josué Carvalho
- CICS-UBI-Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (C.C.); (J.C.)
| | - António Paulo
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal; (A.D.); (C.M.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (M.P.C.C.); (M.C.O.); (P.R.); (A.B.); (S.D.M.); (F.M.)
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (A.P.)
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10
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Pinto CIG, Bucar S, Alves V, Fonseca A, Abrunhosa AJ, da Silva CL, Guerreiro JF, Mendes F. Copper-64 Chloride Exhibits Therapeutic Potential in Three-Dimensional Cellular Models of Prostate Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:609172. [PMID: 33335914 PMCID: PMC7736412 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.609172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer type in men, and in advanced metastatic stages is considerable incurable. This justifies the need for efficient early diagnostic methods and novel therapies, particularly radiopharmaceuticals with the potential for simultaneous diagnosis and therapy (theranostics). We have previously demonstrated, using monolayer-cultured cells, that copper-64 chloride, a promising theranostic agent for PCa, has the potential to induce significant damage in cancer cells while having minimal side effects in healthy tissues. Here, we further explored this compound for its theranostic applications using more advanced PCa cellular models, specifically multicellular spheroids. Namely, we evaluated the cellular uptake of 64CuCl2 in three human PCa spheroids (derived from 22RV1, DU145, and LNCaP cells), and characterized the growth profile and viability of those spheroids as well as the clonogenic capacity of spheroid-derived cells after exposure to 64CuCl2. Furthermore, the populations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), known to be important for cancer resistance and recurrence, present in the spheroid models were also evaluated using two different markers (CD44 and CD117). 64CuCl2 was found to have significant detrimental effects in spheroids and spheroid-derived cells, being able to reduce their growth and impair the viability and reproductive ability of spheroids from both castration-resistant (22RV1 and DU145) and hormone-naïve PCa (LNCaP). Interestingly, resistance to 64CuCl2 treatment seemed to be related with the presence of a CSC population, since the most resistant spheroids, derived from the DU145 cell line, had the highest initial percentage of CSCs among the three cell lines under study. Altogether, these results clearly highlight the theranostic potential of 64CuCl2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina I G Pinto
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Bucar
- Departamento de Bioengenharia, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vítor Alves
- CIBIT/ICNAS Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Fonseca
- CIBIT/ICNAS Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antero J Abrunhosa
- CIBIT/ICNAS Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia L da Silva
- Departamento de Bioengenharia, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana F Guerreiro
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipa Mendes
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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11
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Howell RW. Advancements in the use of Auger electrons in science and medicine during the period 2015-2019. Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 99:2-27. [PMID: 33021416 PMCID: PMC8062591 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1831706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Auger electrons can be highly radiotoxic when they are used to irradiate specific molecular sites. This has spurred basic science investigations of their radiobiological effects and clinical investigations of their potential for therapy. Focused symposia on the biophysical aspects of Auger processes have been held quadrennially. This 9th International Symposium on Physical, Molecular, Cellular, and Medical Aspects of Auger Processes at Oxford University brought together scientists from many different fields to review past findings, discuss the latest studies, and plot the future work to be done. This review article examines the research in this field that was published during the years 2015-2019 which corresponds to the period since the last meeting in Japan. In addition, this article points to future work yet to be done. There have been a plethora of advancements in our understanding of Auger processes. These advancements range from basic atomic and molecular physics to new ways to implement Auger electron emitters in radiopharmaceutical therapy. The highly localized doses of radiation that are deposited within a 10 nm of the decay site make them precision tools for discovery across the physical, chemical, biological, and medical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger W Howell
- Division of Radiation Research, Department of Radiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
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12
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Bolzati C, Duatti A. The emerging value of 64Cu for molecular imaging and therapy. THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ITALIAN ASSOCIATION OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE (AIMN) [AND] THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIOPHARMACOLOGY (IAR), [AND] SECTION OF THE SOCIETY OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY 2020; 64:329-337. [PMID: 33026210 DOI: 10.23736/s1824-4785.20.03292-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriano Duatti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy -
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13
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Carrasco-Hernández J, Ramos-Méndez J, Faddegon B, Jalilian AR, Moranchel M, Ávila-Rodríguez MA. Monte Carlo track-structure for the radionuclide Copper-64: characterization of S-values, nanodosimetry and quantification of direct damage to DNA. Phys Med Biol 2020; 65:155005. [PMID: 32303013 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab8aaa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
TOPAS-nBio was used to simulate, collision-to-collision, the complete trajectories of electrons in water generated during the explicit simulation of 64Cu decay. S-values and direct damage to the DNA were calculated representing the cell (C) and the cell nucleus (N) with concentric spheres of 5 μm and 4 μm in radius, respectively. The considered 'target'←'source' configurations, including the cell surface (Cs) and cytoplasm (Cy), were: C←C, C←Cs, N←N, N←Cy and N←Cs. Ionization cluster size distributions were also calculated in a cylinder immersed in water corresponding to a DNA segment of 10 base-pairs in length (diameter 2.3 nm, length 3.4 nm), modeling a radioactive point source moving from the central axis to the edge of the cylinder. For that, the first moment (M1) and cumulative probability of having a cluster size of 2 or more ionizations in the cylindrical volume (F2) were obtained. Finally, the direct damage to the DNA was estimated by quantifying double-strand breaks (DSBs) using the clustering algorithm DBSCAN. The S-values obtained with TOPAS-nBio for 64Cu were 7.879 × 10-4 ± 5 × 10-7, 4.351 × 10-4 ± 6 × 10-7, 1.442 × 10-3 ± 1 × 10-6, 2.596 × 10-4 ± 8 × 10-7, 1.127 × 10-4 ± 4 × 10-7 Gy Bq-s-1 for the configurations C←C, C←Cs, N←N, N←Cy and N←Cs, respectively. The difference of these values, compared with previously reported S-values for 64Cu with the code MNCP and software MIRDCell, ranged from -4% to -25% for the configurations N←N and N←Cs, respectively. On the other hand, F2 was maximum with the source at the center of the cylinder 0.373 ± 0.001, and monotonically decreased until reaching a value of 0.058 ± 0.001 at 2.3 nm. The same behavior was observed for M1 with values ranging from 2.188 ± 0.004 to 0.242 ± 0.002. Finally, the DBSCAN algorithm showed that the mean number of DNA DSBs per decay were 0.187 ± 0.001, 0.0317 ± 0.0005, and 0.0125 ± 0.0002 DSB-(Bq-s)-1 for the configurations N←N, N←Cs, and N←Cy, respectively. In conclusion, the results of the S-values show that the absorbed dose strongly depends on the distribution of the radionuclide in the cell, the dose being higher when 64Cu is internalized in the cell nucleus, which is reinforced by the nanodosimetric study by the presence of DNA DSBs attributable to the Auger electrons emitted during the decay of 64Cu.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Carrasco-Hernández
- Escuela Superior de Física y Matemáticas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, México
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14
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Cantiello F, Crocerossa F, Cascini GL, Russo GI, Ferro M, Cimino S, Lucarelli G, Damiano R. 64CuCl2 PET/CT as a potential new imaging method in prostate cancer: illusion or reality? Minerva Urol Nephrol 2020; 73:668-671. [PMID: 32182228 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6051.20.03615-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential element for many cellular functions, including proliferation and angiogenesis. High serum Cu levels have been demonstrated in patients with neoplasia as well as high intra-tumoral Cu levels have been reported. Preclinical and clinical evidences suggest its use, in the form of 64Copper chloride (64CuCl<inf>2</inf>), as metabolic PET tracer in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Specifically, the use of 64CuCl<inf>2</inf> in human prostate cancer (PCa) evidenced a high uptake of 64CuCl<inf>2</inf> in tumoral prostate and involved regional lymph nodes in a staging setting and high sensitivity for local recurrence and lymph nodes detection in restaging, indicating its great potential. However, further and more solid clinical evidences are needed. On the other hand, 64CuCl<inf>2</inf> seems to be a promising radiometabolic drug with great cytotoxic abilities on PCa cells. We have collected the most recent and relevant findings on its potential uses and limitations for the study and treatment of PCa, together with its possible translation in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Crocerossa
- Department of Urology, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy -
| | - Giuseppe L Cascini
- Unit of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giorgio I Russo
- Department of Urology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Matteo Ferro
- Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Lucarelli
- Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Rocco Damiano
- Department of Urology, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
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