Preclinical Evaluation of a Companion Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical, [18F]PSMA-1007, in a Subcutaneous Prostate Cancer Xenograft Mouse Model

Mol Pharm. 2023 Feb 6;20(2):1050-1060. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00788. Epub 2022 Dec 30.

Abstract

Several radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted agents have been developed for detecting prostate cancer, using positron emission tomography imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. Among them, [18F]PSMA-1007 has several advantages, including a comparatively long half-life, delayed renal excretion, and compatible structure with α-/β-particle emitter-labeled therapeutics. This study aimed to characterize the preclinical pharmacokinetics and internal radiation dosimetry of [18F]PSMA-1007, as well as its repeatability and specificity for target binding using prostate tumor-bearing mice. In PSMA-positive tumor-bearing mice, the kidney showed the greatest accumulation of [18F]PSMA-1007. The distribution in the tumor attained its peak concentration of 2.8%ID/g at 112 min after intravenous injection. The absorbed doses in the tumor and salivary glands were 0.079 ± 0.010 Gy/MBq and 0.036 ± 0.006 Gy/MBq, respectively. The variance of the net influx (Ki) of [18F]PSMA-1007 to the tumor was minimal between scans performed in the same animals (within-subject coefficient of variation = 7.57%). [18F]PSMA-1007 uptake in the tumor was specifically decreased by 32% in Ki after treatment with a PSMA inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). In the present study, we investigated the in vivo preclinical characteristics of [18F]PSMA-1007. Our data from [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/computed tomography (CT) studies in a subcutaneous prostate cancer xenograft mouse model supports clinical therapeutic strategies that use paired therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals (such as [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617), especially strategies with a quantitative radiation dose estimate for target lesions while minimizing radiation-induced toxicity to off-target tissues.

Keywords: [18F]PSMA-1007; biodistribution; internal radiation dosimetry; positron emission tomography; theranostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / metabolism
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oligopeptides
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Radiopharmaceuticals* / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • PSMA-1007
  • Oligopeptides
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II
  • Antigens, Surface