ABSTRACT
Neurokinin 1 receptors [NK[1]R] are overexpressed on several types of important human cancer cells. Substance P [SP] is the most specific endogenous ligand known for NK1Rs. Accordingly,a new SP analogue was synthesized and evaluated for detection of NK[1]R positive tumors.[6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid [HYNIC]-Tyr[8]-Met[O][11]-SP] was synthesized and radiolabeled with 99mTc using ethylenediamine-N,N-diacetic acid [EDDA]and Tricine as coligands. Common physicochemical properties of radioconjugate were studied and in-vitro cell line biological tests were accomplished to determine the receptor mediated characteristics. In-vivo biodistribution in normal and tumor bearingnude mice was also assessed. The cold peptide was prepared in high purity [>99%] and radiolabeled with [99m]Tc at high specific activities [84-112GBq/ micro mol] with an acceptable labeling yield [>95%]. The radioconjugate was stable in-vitro in the presence of human serum and showed 44% protein binding to human serumalbumin. In-vitro cell line studies on U373MG cells showed an acceptable uptake up to 4.91 +/- 0.22% with the ratio of 60.21 +/- 1.19% for its specific fraction and increasing specific internalization during 4 h. Receptor binding assays on U373MG cells indicated a mean Kd of 2.46 +/- 0.43 nM and Bmax of 128925 +/- 8145 sites/cell. In-vivo investigations determined the specific tumor uptake in 3.36 percent of injected dose per gram [%ID/g] for U373MG cells and noticeable accumulations of activity in the intestines and lung. Predominant renal excretion pathway was demonstrated. Therefore, this new radiolabeled peptide could be a promising radiotracer for detection of NK[1]R positive primary or secondary tumors