ABSTRACT
Objective:To prepare specific molecular probe 18F-AlF-1, 4, 7-triazacylononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid-(polyethylene glycol) 4-ZD2 ( 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2) for targeting extradomain-B fibronectin (EDB-FN), and evaluate its properties in vitro and in vivo. Methods:18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was prepared by one-step chelation labeling with Al 18F. The radiochemical purity and in vitro stability were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The partition coefficient (logP) of 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was evaluated, and the cell uptake experiment was carried out (triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells (1×10 6/tube) were divided into 3 groups ( n=3 per group); positive group, inhibition group, control group). MicroPET imaging was performed on MDA-MB-231 bearing nude mice ( n=3) after 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 injection (30, 60, 90, 120 min) and compared with blocking group ( n=3, NOTA-PEG 4-ZQ 2 was preinjected at 0.5 h before 18F-AIF-NOTA-PEG a-ZD2 injection). Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was successfully prepared. The optimized radiochemical yield was (33.8±2.1)% (undecay corrected, n=8) and the radiochemical purity was >96%. After incubating 120 min at 37 ℃, the radiochemical purity of 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 in human serum and PBS was >93%, indicating its good stability in vitro. The specific activity was (11.1±3.2) GBq/μmol, and logP was -1.43±0.05. The uptake value of tumor cells was (1.77±0.28) percentage applied activity (%AR)/10 6 cells at 120 min post-injection in positive group, and the total uptake value of the inhibition group was (0.76±0.07) %AR/10 6 cells ( t=4.30, P=0.032). MicroPET imaging in tumor bearing nude mice showed that 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was mainly metabolized by the liver and kidneys. The tumor uptake value was (1.94±0.21) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) at 60 min post-injection and the tumor/muscle ratio was 3.80±0.25 at 90 min post-injection in the experimental group, while the tumor uptake value of tumor bearing nude mice in the blocking group was (0.43±0.09) %ID/g at 60 min post-injection ( t=3.18, P=0.006). Conclusions:18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 can be prepared simply with high labeling rate and good stability in vitro, with high tumor uptake and tumor/muscle ratio in microPET imaging, and good specificity and long tumor residence time. The probe has good application prospect in breast cancer with high expression of fibronectin subtype EDB-FN.