[99mTc]Demobesin 1, a novel potent bombesin analogue for GRP receptor-targeted tumour imaging.

Demobesin 1 is a potent new GRP-R-selective bombesin (BN) analogue containing an open chain tetraamine chelator for stable technetium-99m binding. Following a convenient labelling protocol, the radiopeptide, [(99m)Tc]Demobesin 1, formed in nearly quantitative yields and with high specific activities. Both unlabelled and labelled peptide demonstrated high-affinity binding in membrane preparations of the human androgen-independent prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cell line. The IC(50) values determined for Demobesin 1 and [Tyr(4)]BN were 0.70+/-0.08 n M and 1.5+/-0.20 n M, respectively, while the K(d) defined for [(99m)Tc/(99g)Tc]Demobesin 1 was 0.67+/-0.10 n M. [(99m)Tc]Demobesin 1 was rather stable in murine plasma, whereas it degraded rapidly in kidney and liver homogenates. After injection in healthy Swiss albino mice, [(99m)Tc]Demobesin 1 accumulated very efficiently in the target organs (pancreas, intestinal tract) via a GRP-R-mediated process, as shown by in vivo receptor blocking experiments. An equally high and GRP-R-mediated uptake was exhibited by [(99m)Tc]Demobesin 1 after injection in PC-3 tumour-bearing athymic mice. The initial high radioligand uptake of 16.2+/-3.1%ID/g in the PC-3 xenografts at 1 h p.i. remained at a similar level (15.61+/-1.19%ID/g) at 4 h p.i. Even after 24 h p.i., when the radioactivity had cleared from all other tissues, a value of 5.24+/-0.67%ID/g was still observed in the tumour. The high and prolonged localization of [(99m)Tc]Demobesin 1 at the tumour site and its rapid background clearance are very promising qualities for GRP-R-targeted tumour imaging in man.

[99mTc]Demotate, a new 99mTc-based [Tyr3]octreotate analogue for the detection of somatostatin receptor-positive tumours: synthesis and preclinical results.

Demotate is a new tetraamine-functionalised [Tyr3]octreotate derivative that binds technetium-99m with a high efficiency under mild conditions. The resulting radioligand, [99mTc]Demotate, forms in a high purity and is stable for at least 6 h after labelling. The affinity of the unlabelled peptide for somatostatin receptors is high (IC(50)=0.13 n M) and comparable to that of [Tyr3]octreotate or [Tyr3]octreotide, as demonstrated by competition binding experiments in rat brain cortex or AR42J cell membrane preparations. An equally very high affinity ( K(d)=0.07 n M) was exhibited by [99mTc/99gTc]Demotate during saturation binding experiments using rat brain cortex membrane homogenates. The radioligand resisted hydrolytic degradation in mouse plasma and was excreted intact in mouse urine. In vivo, [99mTc]Demotate cleared very rapidly from non-target tissues into the bladder via the kidneys, while radioactivity uptake in target organs was very high. In mice bearing the experimental AR42J tumour, [99mTc]Demotate demonstrated a very high tumour uptake at 1 h p.i. (25%ID/g) that remained high (20%ID/g) at 4 h p.i. This uptake could be effectively blocked by co-injection of a high dose of [Tyr3]octreotate together with the radioligand. High-quality planar and single-photon emission tomographic images were acquired 1 h after injection of [99mTc]Demotate in tumour-bearing mice, illustrating the excellent properties of this agent for somatostatin receptor tumour imaging.