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Adhikari K, Vanermen M, Da Silva G, Van den Wyngaert T, Augustyns K, Elvas F. Trans-cyclooctene-a Swiss army knife for bioorthogonal chemistry: exploring the synthesis, reactivity, and applications in biomedical breakthroughs. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2024; 9:47. [PMID: 38844698 PMCID: PMC11156836 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00275-x] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trans-cyclooctenes (TCOs) are highly strained alkenes with remarkable reactivity towards tetrazines (Tzs) in inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions. Since their discovery as bioorthogonal reaction partners, novel TCO derivatives have been developed to improve their reactivity, stability, and hydrophilicity, thus expanding their utility in diverse applications. MAIN BODY TCOs have garnered significant interest for their applications in biomedical settings. In chemical biology, TCOs serve as tools for bioconjugation, enabling the precise labeling and manipulation of biomolecules. Moreover, their role in nuclear medicine is substantial, with TCOs employed in the radiolabeling of peptides and other biomolecules. This has led to their utilization in pretargeted nuclear imaging and therapy, where they function as both bioorthogonal tags and radiotracers, facilitating targeted disease diagnosis and treatment. Beyond these applications, TCOs have been used in targeted cancer therapy through a "click-to-release" approach, in which they act as key components to selectively deliver therapeutic agents to cancer cells, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. However, the search for a suitable TCO scaffold with an appropriate balance between stability and reactivity remains a challenge. CONCLUSIONS This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the synthesis of TCOs, and its challenges, and their development throughout the years. We describe their wide ranging applications as radiolabeled prosthetic groups for radiolabeling, as bioorthogonal tags for pretargeted imaging and therapy, and targeted drug delivery, with the aim of showcasing the versatility and potential of TCOs as valuable tools in advancing biomedical research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuna Adhikari
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Radiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maarten Vanermen
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Radiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gustavo Da Silva
- Molecular Imaging and Radiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tim Van den Wyngaert
- Molecular Imaging and Radiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Koen Augustyns
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Filipe Elvas
- Molecular Imaging and Radiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
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Gao J, Li M, Yin J, Liu M, Wang H, Du J, Li J. The Different Strategies for the Radiolabeling of [ 211At]-Astatinated Radiopharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:738. [PMID: 38931860 PMCID: PMC11206656 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060738] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Astatine-211 (211At) has emerged as a promising radionuclide for targeted alpha therapy of cancer by virtue of its favorable nuclear properties. However, the limited in vivo stability of 211At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals remains a major challenge. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current strategies for 211At radiolabeling, including nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution reactions, as well as the recent advances in the development of novel bifunctional coupling agents and labeling approaches to enhance the stability of 211At-labeled compounds. The preclinical and clinical applications of 211At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals, including small molecules, peptides, and antibodies, are also discussed. Looking forward, the identification of new molecular targets, the optimization of 211At production and quality control methods, and the continued evaluation of 211At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals in preclinical and clinical settings will be the key to realizing the full potential of 211At-based targeted alpha therapy. With the growing interest and investment in this field, 211At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals are poised to play an increasingly important role in future cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, National Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Technology (Nonclinical Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals) Research and Development Center, CNNC Key Laboratory on Radiotoxicology and Radiopharmaceutical Preclinical Evaluation, Taiyuan 030006, China; (J.G.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (M.L.)
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China;
| | - Mei Li
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, National Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Technology (Nonclinical Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals) Research and Development Center, CNNC Key Laboratory on Radiotoxicology and Radiopharmaceutical Preclinical Evaluation, Taiyuan 030006, China; (J.G.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (M.L.)
| | - Jingjing Yin
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, National Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Technology (Nonclinical Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals) Research and Development Center, CNNC Key Laboratory on Radiotoxicology and Radiopharmaceutical Preclinical Evaluation, Taiyuan 030006, China; (J.G.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengya Liu
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, National Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Technology (Nonclinical Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals) Research and Development Center, CNNC Key Laboratory on Radiotoxicology and Radiopharmaceutical Preclinical Evaluation, Taiyuan 030006, China; (J.G.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (M.L.)
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China;
| | - Hongliang Wang
- First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China;
| | - Jin Du
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China;
- China Isotope & Radiation Corporation, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, National Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Technology (Nonclinical Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals) Research and Development Center, CNNC Key Laboratory on Radiotoxicology and Radiopharmaceutical Preclinical Evaluation, Taiyuan 030006, China; (J.G.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (M.L.)
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Timperanza C, Jensen H, Hansson E, Bäck T, Lindegren S, Aneheim E. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a tetrazine-conjugated poly-L-lysine effector molecule labeled with astatine-211. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2024; 9:43. [PMID: 38775973 PMCID: PMC11111624 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00273-z] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant challenge in cancer therapy lies in eradicating hidden disseminated tumor cells. Within Nuclear Medicine, Targeted Alpha Therapy is a promising approach for cancer treatment tackling disseminated cancer. As tumor size decreases, alpha-particles gain prominence due to their high Linear Energy Transfer (LET) and short path length. Among alpha-particle emitters, 211At stands out with its 7.2 hour half-life and 100% alpha emission decay. However, optimizing the pharmacokinetics of radiopharmaceuticals with short lived radionuclides such as 211At is pivotal, and in this regard, pretargeting is a valuable tool. This method involves priming the tumor with a modified monoclonal antibody capable of binding both the tumor antigen and the radiolabeled carrier, termed the "effector molecule. This smaller, faster-clearing molecule improves efficacy. Utilizing the Diels Alder click reaction between Tetrazine (Tz) and Trans-cyclooctene (TCO), the Tz-substituted effector molecule combines seamlessly with the TCO-modified antibody. This study aims to evaluate the in vivo biodistribution of two Poly-L-Lysine-based effector molecule sizes (10 and 21 kDa), labelled with 211At, and the in vitro binding of the most favorable polymer size, in order to optimize the pretargeted radioimmunotherapy with 211At. RESULTS In vivo results favor the smaller polymer's biodistribution pattern over the larger one, which accumulates in organs like the liver and spleen. This is especially evident when comparing the biodistribution of the smaller polymer to a directly labelled monoclonal antibody. The smaller variant also shows rapid and efficient binding to SKOV-3 cells preloaded with TCO-modified Trastuzumab in vitro, emphasizing its potential. Both polymer sizes showed equal or better in vivo stability of the astatine-carbon bond compared to a monoclonal antibody labelled with the same prosthetic group. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the small Poly-L-Lysine-based effector molecule (10 kDa) holds the most promise for future research, exhibiting significantly lower uptake in the kidneys and spleen compared to the larger effector (21 kDa) while maintaining an in vivo stability of the astatine-carbon bond comparable to or better than intact antibodies. A proof of concept in vitro cell study demonstrates rapid reaction between the small astatinated effector and a TCO-labelled antibody, indicating the potential of this novel Poly-L-Lysine-based pretargeting system for further investigation in an in vivo tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Timperanza
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden.
| | - Holger Jensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Cyclotron and Radiochemistry unit, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Ellinor Hansson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden
- Atley Solutions AB, Gothenburg, 413 27, Sweden
| | - Tom Bäck
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden
| | - Sture Lindegren
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden
| | - Emma Aneheim
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden
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Aneheim E, Hansson E, Timperanza C, Jensen H, Lindegren S. Behaviour, use and safety aspects of astatine-211 solvated in chloroform after dry distillation recovery. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9698. [PMID: 38678056 PMCID: PMC11055885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60615-4] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted alpha therapy of disseminated cancer is an emerging technique where astatine-211 is one of the most promising candidate nuclides. Astatine-211 can be produced in medium energy cyclotrons by alpha particle bombardment of natural bismuth. The produced astatine is then commonly recovered from the irradiated solid target material through dry distillation. The dry distillation process often includes elution and solvation of condensed astatine with chloroform, forming Chloroform Eluate. In this work the handling and safe use of the high activity concentration Chloroform Eluate has been investigated. Correctly performed, evaporation of Chloroform Eluate results in a dry residue with complete recovery of the astatine. The dry residue can then serve as a versatile starting material, using appropriate oxidizing or reducing conditions, for subsequent downstream chemistry. However, it has been found that when evaporating the Chloroform Eluate, astatine can be volatilized if continuing the process beyond the point of dryness. This behavior is more pronounced when the Chloroform Eluate has received a higher absorbed dose. Upon water phase contact of the Chloroform Eluate, a major part of the astatine activity becomes water soluble, leaving the organic phase. A behavior which is also dependent on dose to the solvent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Aneheim
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Oncology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Ellinor Hansson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Atley Solutions AB, 41327, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Chiara Timperanza
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Holger Jensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Cyclotron and Radiochemistry unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sture Lindegren
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Zhao R, Zhu J, Jiang X, Bai R. Click chemistry-aided drug discovery: A retrospective and prospective outlook. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116037. [PMID: 38101038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116037] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Click chemistry has emerged as a valuable tool for rapid compound synthesis, presenting notable advantages and convenience in the exploration of potential drug candidates. In particular, in situ click chemistry capitalizes on enzymes as reaction templates, leveraging their favorable conformation to selectively link individual building blocks and generate novel hits. This review comprehensively outlines and introduces the extensive use of click chemistry in compound library construction, and hit and lead discovery, supported by specific research examples. Additionally, it discusses the limitations and precautions associated with the application of click chemistry in drug discovery. Our intention for this review is to contribute to the development of a modular synthetic approach for the rapid identification of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Junlong Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Renren Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China.
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