Radiometals comprise many useful radioactive isotopes of various metallic elements When properly harnessed, these have valuable emission properties that can be used for diagnostic imaging techniques, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT, eg67Ga, 99mTc, 111In, 177Lu) and positron emission tomography (PET, eg68Ga, 64Cu, 44Sc, 86Y, 89Zr), as well as therapeutic applications (eg47Sc, 114mIn, 177Lu, 90Y, 212/213Bi, 212Pb, 225Ac, 186/188Re) A fundamental critical component of a radiometal-based radiopharmaceutical is the chelator, the ligand system that binds the radiometal ion in a tight stable coordination complex so that it can be properly directed to a desirable molecular target in vivo This article is a guide for selecting the optimal match between chelator and radiometal for use in these systems The article briefly introduces a selection of relevant and high impact radiometals, and their potential utility to the fields of radiochemistry, nuclear medicine, and molecular imaging A description of radiometal-based radiopharmaceuticals is provided, and several key design considerations are discussed The experimental methods by which chelators are assessed for their suitability with a variety of radiometal ions is explained, and a large selection of the most common and most promising chelators are evaluated and discussed for their potential use with a variety of radiometals Comprehensive tables have been assembled to provide a convenient and accessible overview of the field of radiometal chelating agents

Matching chelators to radiometals for radiopharmaceuticals.

The biodistribution of approved gadolinium (Gd) based contrast agents (GBCA) is reviewed. After intravenous injection GBCA distribute in the blood and the extracellular space and transiently through the excretory organs. Preclinical animal studies and the available clinical literature indicate that all these compounds are excreted intact. Elimination tends to be rapid and for the most part, complete. In renally insufficient patients the plasma elimination half-life increases substantially from hours to days depending on renal function. In patients with impaired renal function and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), the agents gadodiamide, gadoversetamide, and gadopentetate dimeglumine have been shown to result in Gd deposition in the skin and internal organs. In these cases, it is likely that the Gd is no longer present as the GBCA, but this has still not been definitively shown. In preclinical models very small amounts of Gd are retained in the bone and liver, and the amount retained correlates with the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of the GBCA with respect to Gd release in vitro. The pattern of residual Gd deposition in NSF subjects may be different than that observed in preclinical rodent models. GBCA are designed to be used via intravenous administration. Altering the route of administration and/or the formulation of the GBCA can dramatically alter the biodistribution of the GBCA and can increase the likelihood of Gd deposition.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jmri.21969

Biodistribution of gadolinium-based contrast agents, including gadolinium deposition.

The use of radiometal-labeled small complexes and biomolecules as diagnostic agents is a relatively new area of medical research. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the use of nuclear technology for medical purposes began, with nuclear reactors, accelerators, and cyclotrons being applied to medical isotope production. In 1959, Brookhaven National Laboratory developed the 99Mo/99mTc generator,1 and in 1964 the first 99mTc radiotracers were developed at the University of Chicago.2 Research into 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals was the beginning of the study of coordination chemistry as it relates to diagnostic imaging. Although 99mTc is the most widely used radionuclide for diagnostic imaging,3-5 a myriad of other radiometals have been or are being investigated for their uses in nuclear medicine. This review will discuss the non-technetium-labeled radiometal-labeled agents used in gamma scintigraphy and positron emission tomography (PET).

Radiometal-Labeled Agents (Non-Technetium) for Diagnostic Imaging

PET (positron emission tomography) is a powerful diagnostic and imaging technique which requires short-lived positron emitting isotopes. The most commonly used are accelerator-produced (11)C and (18)F. An alternative is the use of metallic positron emitters. Among them (68)Ga deserves special attention because of its availability from long-lived (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator systems which render (68)Ga radiopharmacy independent of an onsite cyclotron. The coordination chemistry of Ga(3+) is dominated by its hard acid character. A variety of mono- and bifunctional chelators have been developed which allow the formation of stable (68)Ga(3+)complexes and convenient coupling to biomolecules. (68)Ga coupling to small biomolecules is potentially an alternative to (18)F- and (11)C-based radiopharmacy. In particular, peptides targeting G-protein coupled receptors overexpressed on human tumour cells have shown preclinically and clinically high and specific tumour uptake. Kit-formulated precursors along with the generator may be provided, similar to the (99)Mo/(99m)Tc-based radiopharmacy, still the mainstay of nuclear medicine.

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68Ga-PET: a powerful generator-based alternative to cyclotron-based PET radiopharmaceuticals

Cyclams are 14-membered tetraamine macrocycles which bind strongly to a wide range of metal ions. Medical interest has centred on clinical trials of a bicyclam for the treatment of AIDS and for stem cell mobilization, and on adducts with Tc and Cu radionuclides for diagnosis and therapy. Other potential applications particularly for Cr, Mn, Zn, and Ru cyclams are also emerging. We discuss in this critical review the mechanism of metal complexation, stability of metal cyclams and their structures, with particular emphasis on the variety of configurational states which metal cyclams can adopt. Understanding the factors which control the thermodynamics and kinetics of the interconversion of configurational states of metallo-cyclams may be a key factor in designing novel cyclam derivatives for future use in medicine. (136 References.)

Cyclam complexes and their applications in medicine

Complexes of Ga(III) and In(III) radionuclides are widely used in diagnostic imaging. In this study, the following ligands of denticities 4, 5, and 6 respectively were prepared: N,N'-bis-(2,2-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethyl) ethylenediamine (4SS), 1-carboxy-N-N'-bis(2,2-dimethyl-2- mercaptoethyl)ethylenediamine (5SS), and N,N'-bis(2,2- dimethyl-2-mercaptoethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (6SS). Syntheses of the two new ligands, 5SS and 6SS, are described. Equilibrium constants for their In(III) and Ga(III) complexes were determined by both direct and ligand-competitive potentiometric methods. The formation constant (KML = [ML]/[M][L]) of In(III)--6SS in 0.100 M KNO3 at 25.0 degrees C is 10(39.8), and its pM at physiological pH (7.4 with 100% excess of the ligand) is 30.9. These values are higher than those of any other previous reported ligand for In(III). The stability constants of the complexes of 4SS, 5SS, 6SS, and the analogous ligand EDDASS, N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl) ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid, which does not contain gem-dimethyl groups, are compared. The thermodynamic stabilities of the In(III) complexes of all ligands except 6SS are greater than those of the corresponding Ga(III) complexes. The presence of the geminal dimethyl groups in 6SS increased the stability of the Ga(III) and In(III) complexes over those of EDDASS. The effects of the gem-dimethyl groups on complex stabilities are explained by molecular modeling. The serum stabilities and biodistributions out to 1 h postinjection of 67/68Ga and 111In chelates of 4SS, 5SS, and 6SS were measured and compared with those of EDDASS. The 67/68Ga- and 111In-ligand complexes with more donor atoms showed were more stable in serum, both in vitro and in vivo. The biodistributions of the 67/68Ga- and 111In-ligand complexes exhibited distinct trends. None of the 67/68Ga- and 111In-chelates demonstrated significant heart or brain uptake. The majority of uptake for all compounds was in the liver and kidney. The degree of clearance through the liver corresponded to the thermodynamic stability of the complex. Correlations between in vivo behavior, molecular modeling data, and thermodynamic stability of the complexes are discussed.

Indium (III) and gallium (III) complexes of bis(aminoethanethiol) ligands with different denticities: stabilities, molecular modeling, and in vivo behavior.

Single p-toluic acid pendant groups were attached to 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (15aneN5) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) to prepare bifunctional reagents for radiolabeling monoclonal antibodies with 64,67Cu. The ligands are 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane-1-(α-1,4-toluic acid) (PCBA) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1-(α-1,4-toluic acid) (CPTA). For the parent macrocycles and their pendant arm derivatives, the 1:1 Cu2+ complexes dissociate only below pH 2. At pH 0.0 and 25 °C the CPTA−Cu complex has a half-life toward complete dissociation of 24 days. A new approach was developed for the estimation of the Cu2+ stability constant for the kinetically robust CPTA. All other formation constants were determined at 25.0 °C with batch spectrophotometric techniques. Potentiometric titrations were used to determine the protonation constants of the macrocyclic ligands as well as of the metal chelates. The protonation constants, stability constants, and pM's are discussed in terms...

Stability and Structure of Activated Macrocycles. Ligands with Biological Applications.

The need for a readily available Gd(III) bifunctional chelate for protein conjugation has led to the development of LDTPA (N,N-bis[2-[N‘,N‘-bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl]-4-amino-l-phenylalanine). The benzylamine group is readily converted to the isothiocyanato group (SCN-LDTPA) by treatment of the lithium salt of LDTPA with thiophosgene. SCN-LDTPA was successfully conjugated to three proteins, BSA (bovine serum albumin), mannose BSA, and galactose BSA. All protein conjugates were labeled with 111In3+ or 153Gd3+. Competition of Gd-LDTPA with DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) resulted in a log stability constant of 21.2. The thermodynamic stability constant of Gd-LDTPA was also measured. The log Gd(III) stability constant (log K) is 21.99, and the log protonation constants (pKa's) are 10.16, 8.92, 5.35, 3.93, 2.71, and 1.89. Comparison of the thermodynamic stability constants for Gd(LDTPA)2- with other DTPA derivatives indicates that the stability of Gd(LDTPA)2- is similar to Gd(DTPA)2- (log K = 22...

and Arthur E. Martell

Papers

Indium (III) and gallium (III) complexes of bis(aminoethanethiol) ligands with different denticities: stabilities, molecular modeling, and in vivo behavior.

Stability and Structure of Activated Macrocycles. Ligands with Biological Applications.

Evaluation of the stability and animal biodistribution of gadolinium (III) benzylamine-derivatized diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.