Novel Peptide-Based PET Probe for Non-invasive Imaging of C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 4 (CXCR4) in Tumors

J Med Chem. 2021 Mar 25;64(6):3449-3461. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00066. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Abstract

The recently reported CXCR4 antagonist 3 (Ac-Arg-Ala-[DCys-Arg-2Nal-His-Pen]-CO2H) was investigated as a molecular scaffold for a CXCR4-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracer. Toward this end, 3 was functionalized with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and 1,4,7-triazacyclononanetriacetic acid (NOTA). On the basis of convincing affinity data, both tracers, [68Ga]NOTA analogue ([68Ga]-5) and [68Ga]DOTA analogue ([68Ga]-4), were evaluated for PET imaging in "in vivo" models of CHO-hCXCR4 and Daudi lymphoma cells. PET imaging and biodistribution studies revealed higher CXCR4-specific tumor uptake and high tumor/background ratios for the [68Ga]NOTA analogue ([68Ga]-5) than for the [68Ga]DOTA analogue ([68Ga]-4) in both in vivo models. Moreover, [68Ga]-4 and [68Ga]-5 displayed rapid clearance and very low levels of accumulation in all nontarget tissues but the kidney. Although the high tumor/background ratios observed in the mouse xenograft model could partially derive from the hCXCR4 selectivity of [68Ga]-5, our results encourage its translation into a clinical context as a novel peptide-based tracer for imaging of CXCR4-overexpressing tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / chemistry
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / chemistry*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / analysis*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane- 1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid
  • 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid