Imaging Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R) Expression Using Iodine-124-Labeled 1-(4-Iodophenyl)-3-(2-adamantyl)guanidine ([124I]IPAG)

Mol Imaging Biol. 2020 Apr;22(2):358-366. doi: 10.1007/s11307-019-01369-8.

Abstract

Purpose: Sigma-1 receptors (S1Rs) are overexpressed in almost all human cancers, especially in breast cancers. 1-(4-Iodophenyl)-3-(2-adamantyl)guanidine (IPAG) is a validated high-affinity S1R antagonist. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the potential of iodine-124-labeled IPAG ([124I]IPAG) to image S1R-overexpressing tumors.

Procedures: [124I]IPAG was synthesized from a tributyltin precursor dissolved in ethanol using chloramine-T as oxidant. Purity was analyzed using HPLC. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed using the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Competitive inhibition studies were performed using haloperidol and cold IPAG. Tumors were established in athymic nude mice by injecting 107 cells subcutaneously. Mice were imaged on micro-positron emission tomography (PET) at 4, 24, 48, 72, and 144 h post i.v. injection. Biodistribution studies were performed at same time points. In vivo tracer dilution studies were performed using excess of IPAG and haloperidol. The efficacy of [124I]IPAG to image tumors was evaluated in LNCaP tumor-bearing mice as well.

Results: [124I]IPAG was synthesized in quantitative yield and in vitro studies indicated that [124I]IPAG binding was specific to S1R. PET imaging studies in MCF7 tumor-bearing mice reveal that [124I]IPAG accumulates in tumor and is preferentially retained while clearing from non-target organs. The tumor to background increases with time, and tumors could be clearly visualized starting from 24 h post administration. Similar results were obtained in mice bearing LNCaP tumors. In vivo tracer dilution studies showed that the uptake of [124I]IPAG could be competitively inhibited by excess of IPAG and haloperidol.

Conclusions: [124I]IPAG was synthesized successfully in high yields, and in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate specificity of [124I]IPAG. [124I]IPAG shows specific accumulation in tumors with increasing tumor to background ratio at later time points and therefore has high potential for imaging S1R-overexpressing cancers.

Keywords: Biodistribution studies; Breast cancer; Iodine-124; PET imaging; Prostate cancer; Sigma-1 receptor; [124I]IPAG; [131I]IPAG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Guanidines / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes*
  • Iodobenzenes / chemistry*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptors, sigma / metabolism*
  • Sigma-1 Receptor
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Guanidines
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Iodine-124
  • Iodobenzenes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptors, sigma
  • 1-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(1-adamantyl)guanidine