225Ac-H4py4pa for Targeted Alpha Therapy

Bioconjug Chem. 2021 Jul 21;32(7):1348-1363. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00171. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Abstract

Herein, we present the syntheses and characterization of a new undecadendate chelator, H4py4pa, and its bifunctional analog H4py4pa-phenyl-NCS, conjugated to the monoclonal antibody, Trastuzumab, which targets the HER2+ cancer. H4py4pa possesses excellent affinity for 225Ac (α, t1/2 = 9.92 d) for targeted alpha therapy (TAT), where quantitative radiolabeling yield was achieved at ambient temperature, pH = 7, in 30 min at 10-6 M chelator concentration, leading to a complex highly stable in mouse serum for at least 9 d. To investigate the chelation of H4py4pa with large metal ions, lanthanum (La3+), which is the largest nonradioactive metal of the lanthanide series, was adopted as a surrogate for 225Ac to enable a series of nonradioactive chemical studies. In line with the 1H NMR spectrum, the DFT (density functional theory)-calculated structure of the [La(py4pa)]- anion possessed a high degree of symmetry, and the La3+ ion was secured by two distinct pairs of picolinate arms. Furthermore, the [La(py4pa)]- complex also demonstrated a superb thermodynamic stability (log K[La(py4pa)]- ∼ 20.33, pLa = 21.0) compared to those of DOTA (log K[La(DOTA)]- ∼ 24.25, pLa = 19.2) or H2macropa (log K[La(macropa)]- = 14.99, pLa ∼ 8.5). Moreover, the functional versatility offered by the bifunctional py4pa precursor permits facile incorporation of various linkers for bioconjugation through direct nucleophilic substitution. In this work, a short phenyl-NCS linker was incorporated to tether H4py4pa to Trastuzumab. Radiolabeling studies, in vitro serum stability, and animal studies were performed in parallel with the DOTA-benzyl-Trastuzumab. Both displayed excellent in vivo stability and tumor specificity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinium / chemistry*
  • Alpha Particles / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Chelating Agents / chemistry*
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacokinetics
  • Coordination Complexes / therapeutic use*
  • Density Functional Theory
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Trastuzumab / chemistry
  • Trastuzumab / pharmacokinetics
  • Trastuzumab / therapeutic use*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Chelating Agents
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Actinium
  • Trastuzumab