Synthesis and reactions of trigonal-bipyramidal rhenium and technetium complexes with a tripodal, tetradentate NS3 ligand

Design, characterization and evaluation of a new 99mTc-labeled folate derivative with affinity towards folate receptor

Folate receptors (FRs) are known to be over-expressed in several human malignancies and therefore serve as an important target for small radiolabeled folate derivatives for non-invasive imaging of tumor, which is an important tool for future treatment recourse. In the present article, we report the synthesis of a new ^99mTc-labeled radiotracer for the aforementioned application following the well-established ^99mTc-'4+1' chemistry. Formation of the desired [^99mTc]Tc-complex with >95% radiochemical purity was confirmed by radio-HPLC and its structure was ascertained by characterizing a natural rhenium analogue of the said complex. Although the ligand exhibited a weaker affinity towards FRs compared to native folic acid (IC50 8.09 µM vs 29.46 nM), the ^99mTc-labeled complex was found to bind folate receptor-positive KB cells with high specificity (∼90%). Similar studies in a folate receptor negative cell line viz. A549 further corroborated the receptor-specificity of the synthesized complex. In vivo studies in KB tumor xenograft showed moderate uptake of ∼2.6% upto 3 h post-injection with high specificity (∼80%). The favorable features observed warrant further screening of the current design towards achieving an improved molecular probe for the said application.

Mixed-Isocyanide Complexes of Technetium under Steric and Electronic Control

Reactions of the alkyl isocyanide fac-[Tc(CO)₃(CNR)₂Cl] complexes (2) (CNR = CNⁿBu or CN^tBu) with the sterically encumbered isocyanide CNp-FAr^DarF2 [DArF = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃] allow a selective exchange of the carbonyl ligands of 2 and the isolation of the mixed-isocyanide complexes mer,trans-[Tc(CNp-FAr^DarF2)₃(CNR)₂Cl] (3). Depending on the steric requirements of the residues R, the remaining chlorido ligand can be replaced by another isocyanide ligand. Cationic complexes such as mer-[Tc(CNp-FAr^DarF2)₃(CNⁿBu)₃]⁺ (4a) or mer,trans-[Tc(CNp-FAr^DarF2)₃(CNⁿBu)₂(CN^tBu)]⁺ (6) have been prepared in this way and isolated as their PF₆^- salts. mer,trans-[Tc(CNp-FAr^DarF2)₃(CNⁿBu)₂(CN^tBu)](PF₆) represents to the best of our knowledge the first transition-metal complex with three different isocyanides in its coordination sphere. Since the degree of the ligand exchange seems to be controlled both by the electronic and steric measures of the incoming isocyanides, we undertook similar reactions with the sterically less demanding p-fluorophenyl isocyanide, CNPh^pF, which indeed readily led to the hexakis(isocyanide)technetium(I) cation through an exchange of all ligands in the staring materials [Tc₂(CO)₆(μ-Cl)₃]^- or fac-[Tc(CO)₃(CNR)₂Cl]. The influence of the substituents at the isocyanide ligands in such reactions has been reasoned with the density functional theory-derived electrostatic potential at the accessible surface of the corresponding isocyanide carbon atoms.

Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of rhenium and technetium-99m "4 + 1" mixed-ligand complexes bearing quinazoline derivatives as potential EGFR imaging agents

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) of tyrosine kinase (TK) have shown high expression levels in most cancers and are considered a promising target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Expanding the investigation for novel targeted radiopharmaceuticals, an EGFR inhibitor such as 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives along with a radionuclide such as technetium-99m (^99mTc) could be ideal. Thus, we report herein the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of new "4 + 1" mixed-ligand Re^III- and ^99mTc^III-complexes of the general formula [^99mTc][Tc(NS₃)(CN-R)] bearing tris(2-mercaptoethyl)-amine (NS₃) as the tetradentate tripodal ligand and a series of isocyanide derivatives (CN-R) of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (3-bromophenyl)quinazoline-4,6-diamine as the monodentate ligand. The quinazoline isocyanide derivatives 4a-d were prepared in two steps and reacted with the [Re(NS₃)PMe₂Ph] precursor leading to the final complexes 5a-d in high yield. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR spectroscopies. In vitro studies, for their potency to inhibit the cell growth, using intact A431 cells indicate that the quinazoline derivatives 4a-d and the Re complexes 5a-d significantly inhibit the A431 cell growth. In addition, the EGFR autophosphorylation study of complex 5b shows an IC₅₀ value in the nanomolar range. The corresponding "4 + 1" ^99mTc-complexes 6a-d were prepared by employing the [^99mTc]TcEDTA intermediate and the appropriate monodentate 4a-d in a two-step synthetic procedure with a radiochemical yield (RCY) from 63 to 77 % and a radiochemical purity (RCP) > 99 % after HPLC purification. Their structures have been established by HPLC comparative studies using the well-characterized Re-complexes 5a-d as reference. All ^99mTc-complexes remain stable for at least 6 h, and their logD_7.4 values confirmed their anticipated lipophilic character. Biodistribution studies in healthy Swiss albino mice of ^99mTc-complexes showed hepatobiliary excretion and initial fast blood clearance. Complex 6b was also tested in Albino SCID mice bearing A431 tumors and showed rapid tumor uptake at 5 min (2.80 % ID/g) with a moderate tumor/muscle ratio (2.06) at 4 h p.i. The results encourage further investigation for this type of ^99mTc-complexes as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radio agents for imaging tumors overexpressing EGFR.

Radiolabelled Cyclic Bisarylmercury: High Chemical and in vivo Stability for Theranostics

We show the synthesis of an in vivo stable mercury compound with functionality suitable for radiopharmaceuticals. The designed cyclic bisarylmercury was based on the water tolerance of organomercurials, higher bond dissociation energy of Hg-Ph to Hg-S, and the experimental evidence that acyclic structures suffer significant cleavage of one of the Hg-R bonds. The bispidine motif was chosen for its in vivo stability, chemical accessibility, and functionalization properties. Radionuclide production results in 197(m) HgCl2 (aq), so the desired mercury compound was formed via a water-tolerant organotin transmetallation. The Hg-bispidine compound showed high chemical stability in tests with an excess of sulfur-containing competitors and high in vivo stability, without any observable protein interaction by human serum assay, and good organ clearance demonstrated by biodistribution and SPECT studies in rats. In particular, no retention in the kidneys was observed, typical of unstable mercury compounds. The nat Hg analogue allowed full characterization by NMR and HRMS.

Chelators and metal complex stability for radiopharmaceutical applications

Diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine relies heavily on radiometal nuclides. The most widely used and well-known radionuclide is technetium-99m (99mTc), which has dominated diagnostic nuclear medicine since the advent of the 99Mo/99mTc generator in the 1960s. Since that time, many more radiometals have been developed and incorporated into potential radiopharmaceuticals. One critical aspect of radiometal-containing radiopharmaceuticals is their stability under in vivo conditions. The chelator that is coordinated to the radiometal is a key factor in determining radiometal complex stability. The chelators that have shown the most promise and are under investigation in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals over the last 5 years are discussed in this review.

Technetium-99m radiochemistry for pharmaceutical applications

Technetium-99m (^99m Tc) is a widely used radionuclide, and the development of ^99m Tc imaging agents continues to be in demand. This overview discusses basic principles of ^99m Tc radiopharmaceutical preparation and design and focuses on the ^99m Tc radiochemistry relevant to its pharmaceutical applications. The ^99m Tc complexes are described based on the most typical examples in each category, keeping up with the state-of-the-art in the field. In addition, the main current strategies to develop targeted ^99m Tc radiopharmaceuticals are summarized.

Synthesis, physicochemical and biological studies of technetium-99m labeled tacrine derivative as a diagnostic tool for evaluation of cholinesterase level

In the present work the synthesis and physicochemical investigations of new tacrine analogues labeled with technetium-99m are reported. All obtained novel radioconjugates showed high stability in the presence of an excess of standard amino acids cysteine or histidine, as well as in human serum. Lipophilicity (LogD values) of these compounds is within the range from 0.92 to 1.56. For the selected radioconjugate ^99mTc(NS₃)(CN-NH(CH₂)₇Tac) (LogD=1.56) the biological activity studies in the course of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase action have been performed (IC₅₀=45.0nM, estimated by means of Ellman's method). Biodistribution studies of this compound showed its uptake in brain on the level of 0.07%ID/g and its clearance through the hepatic and renal route in comparable degree. The ascertained presence of the radioconjugate in brain indicates its possibility to cross the blood-brain barrier. Molecular modeling of ^99mTc(NS₃)(CN-NH(CH₂)₇Tac) radioconjugate showed that the main structural fragment is tacrine moiety which is responsible for most interactions within catalytic and peripheral active sites and provides the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. The ^99mTc(NS₃)(CN-NH(CH₂)₇Tac) radioconjugate may be considered to be a diagnostic tool for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease as well as a marker to determine the physiological condition of liver and intestines.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel 99mTc analogue of *I-mIBG showing affinity for nor-epinephrine transport positive tumors

¹²³I/¹³¹I labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) is a radiopharmaceutical used for diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) related to neural crest origin. Present work evaluates a newly synthesized ^99mTc analogue of this radioiodinated derivative.

Synthesis, physicochemical and biological evaluation of technetium-99m labeled lapatinib as a novel potential tumor imaging agent of Her-2 positive breast cancer

Tumors that are Her-2-positive tend to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer. Overexpression of Her-2 can be a predictive biomarker for stratification of patients for therapy with Herceptin (containing humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab) or Tykerb (containing lapatinib di-p-toluenesulfonate) drug. Usually, Her-2 status is determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) as well as fluorescent or chromogenic in situ hybridisation (FISH or CISH) analysis of biopsy material. The objective of the present work was to standardize the conjugation of anti-cancer drug lapatinib (which recognizes selectively the Her-2 extracellular domain) with technetium-99m complex, of type '4+1', to obtain (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-lapatinib) conjugate for use as in vivo tracer of the Her-2 expression in breast cancer. The conjugate (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-lapatinib) was formed with high yield, high radiochemical purity and specific activity within the range 25-30 GBq/μmol. The biological in vitro and in vivo studies of the conjugate showed its high affinity to Her-2 receptor (Kd = 3.5 ± 0.4 nM, Ki = 2.9 ± 0.5 nM, Bmax = 2.4 ± 0.3 nM, approximate number of 2.4 × 10(6) binding sites per cell, IC50 = 41.2 ± 0.4 nM) and also pointed out to the clearance through the hepatic and renal route in comparable degree. Basing on these results one can conclude that (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-lapatinib) conjugate could be a promising radiopharmaceutical for in vivo diagnosis of the Her-2 status in breast with impact on treatment planning.

Synthesis and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of novel mono- and trivalent technetium-99m labeled ghrelin peptide complexes as potential diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals

INTRODUCTION

Ghrelin is an endogenous hormone present in blood. It is released from the oxyntic cells (X/A-like cells) of the stomach and fundus and can exist in two forms: as an acylated and des-acylated ghrelin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R). Overexpression of GHS-R1a receptor was identified in cells of different types of tumors (e.g. pituitary adenoma, neuroendocrine tumors of the thyroid, lung, breast, gonads, prostate, stomach, colorectal, endocrine and non-endocrine pancreatic tumors). This fact suggests that gamma radionuclide labeled ghrelin peptide may be considered as a potential diagnostic radiopharmaceutical.

METHODS

Ghrelin peptide labeled with mono- and trivalent technetium-99m complexes, (99m)Tc-Lys-GHR, has been prepared on the n.c.a. scale. The physicochemical (stability, charge, shape, lipophilicity) and biological (receptor affinity, biodistribution) properties of the conjugates have been studied relevant to use the conjugates as receptor-based diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

RESULTS

The obtained conjugates [(99m)Tc(CO)3LN,O(CN-Lys-GHR)](+), (99m)Tc(CO)3LS,O(CN-Lys-GHR) and (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-Lys-GHR) show different shape, charge, lipophilicity and two of them, (99m)Tc(CO)3LS,O(CN-Lys-GHR) and (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-Lys-GHR), high stability in neutral aqueous solutions, even in the presence of excess concentration of histidine/cysteine competitive standard ligands or human serum. The in vitro binding affinity of (99m)Tc-Lys-GHR conjugates with respect to growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) present on DU-145 cells was in the range of IC50 from 45 to 54 nM. The conjugate (99m)Tc(CO)3LS,O(CN-Lys-GHR) exhibited excretion route by the liver and kidney in comparable degree, while the more lipophilic conjugate (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-Lys-GHR)-mainly by the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

Basing on the results concerning physicochemical and biochemical properties, the conjugates (99m)Tc(CO)3LS,O(CN-Lys-GHR) and (99m)Tc(NS3)(CN-Lys-GHR) might be considered to be promising models for diagnostic radiopharmaceutical.

Design and development of (99m)tc-'4+1'-labeled dextran-mannose derivatives as potential radiopharmaceuticals for sentinel lymph node detection

The synthesis, labeling, and biological evaluation of a dextran derivative (DCM-30-iso) as potential radiopharmaceutical for sentinel lymph node imaging is presented. DCM-30-iso bears mannose as active moiety and isocyanide as ligand for technetium through the formation of a '4+1' Tc(III) mixed-ligand complex. A second derivative without mannose (DC-25-iso) was also prepared and evaluated as control. DCM-30-iso and DC-25-iso were synthesized from dextran in four steps (>50% overall yield) and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Labeling with (99m)Tc was achieved by reaction with 2,2',2''-nitrilotris(ethanethiol) and (99m)Tc-EDTA. Radiochemical purity was above 90% and was stable for at least 4 hours postlabeling at 37°C. The identity of the (99m)Tc complex was established through comparative HPLC studies using the well-characterized analogous Re-DC-25-iso complex. Biodistribution and imaging experiments of (99m)Tc-DCM-30-iso showed high uptake in the popliteal lymph node, which could be blocked with preinjection of mannose, and very low uptake in other nodes and organs. The nonmannosylated (99m)Tc-DC-25-iso derivative showed negligible uptake in all lymph nodes. The novel dextran-mannose derivative DCM-30-iso can be successfully labeled with (99m)Tc to give a well-characterized '4+1' complex with favorable biological properties as sentinel lymph node imaging agent.

APPLICATION OF TECHNETIUM AND RHENIUM IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Technetium and Rhenium are the two lower elements in the manganese triad. Whereas rhenium is known as an important part of high resistance alloys, technetium is mostly known as a cumbersome product of nuclear fission. It is less known that its metastable isotope 99mTc is of utmost importance in nuclear medicine diagnosis. The technical application of elemental rhenium is currently complemented by investigations of its isotope 188Re , which could play a central role in the future for internal, targeted radiotherapy. This article will briefly describe the basic principles behind diagnostic methods with radionuclides for molecular imaging, review the 99mTc -based radiopharmaceuticals currently in clinical routine and focus on the chemical challenges and current developments towards improved, radiolabeled compounds for diagnosis and therapy in nuclear medicine.

Organometallic 99mTc(III) ‘4 + 1' Bombesin(7−14) Conjugates: Synthesis, Radiolabeling, and in Vitro/in Vivo Studies

Bombesin (BBN) peptide exhibits high selectivity and affinity for the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr). The GRPr is overexpressed on many human cancer cell types, thus making BBN a potent delivery vehicle for radionuclide targeting. In this study, the biologically active minimal sequence BBN(7-14) was labeled using the novel Tc '4 + 1' mixed-ligand system, [Tc(NS3)(CN-R)], in which Tc(III) is coordinated by a monodentate isocyanide linker bearing the peptide and the tetradentate, tripodal chelator, 2,2',2''-nitrilotriethanethiol (NS3). BBN(7-14) was N-terminally modified with Gly-Gly-Gly, betaAla, and Ser-Ser-Ser spacer groups (X) and functionalized with 4-(isocyanomethyl)benzoic acid (L1) or 4-isocyanobutanoic acid (L2), resulting in a series of [M(NS3)(L-X-BBN(7-14))] conjugates (M = 99mTc, Re). The isocyanide ligand frameworks were introduced using novel bifunctional coupling agents. The spacer groups (X), the monodentate isocyanide units, and a tetradentate NS3 chelator bearing a pendant carboxylic acid (NS3COOH) were proposed as pharmacological modifiers. 99mTc-labeling was performed in a two-step procedure by first preparing 99mTc-EDTA/mannitol followed by reactions with the isocyanides and NS3 or NS3COOH ligand frameworks. The 99mTc complexes were obtained with a radiochemical yield of 30-80% depending on the amount of the isocyanide (20-100 nmol) used. These new conjugates were purified by reversed-phased high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to give a radiochemical purity of >or=95%. The 99mTc conjugates exhibited high in vitro stability (>90%, 24 h). Analogous nonradioactive Re conjugates were synthesized and characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). RP-HPLC analyses of the Re conjugates indicated that they exhibited identical retention times to the corresponding 99mTc conjugates under identical HPLC conditions, demonstrating structural similarity between the two metalated species. The [Re(NS3)(L-X-BBN(7-14))] conjugates exhibited GRPr affinity in the nanomolar range as demonstrated by in vitro competitive binding assays using PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. In vitro internalization/externalization assays indicated that approximately 65% of [99mTc(NS3)(L2-betaAla-BBN(7-14))] conjugate was either surface-bound or internalized in PC-3 cells. Cell-associated activity for all other 99mTc conjugates was below 20%. Biodistribution studies of [99mTc(NS3)(L-betaAla-BBN(7-14))], L = L1 or L2, in normal, CF-1 mice showed minimal accumulation in normal pancreas (a tissue expressing the GRPr in high density in rodent models) and rapid hepatobiliary elimination. Introduction of a carboxyl group onto the NS3 ligand framework had only minimal effects to increase renal excretion. Activity distribution and accumulation was highly dominated by the relatively lipophilic '4 + 1' complex unit.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a New Type of 99mTechnetium-Labeled Fatty Acid for Myocardial Metabolism Imaging

Technetium-labeled fatty acids intended for myocardial metabolism imaging and the respective rhenium model complexes were synthesized according to the "4 + 1" mixed-ligand approach and investigated in vitro and in vivo. The non-radioactive rhenium model complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, and EA, and the geometrical impact of the chelate unit on the integrity of the fatty acid head structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. To estimate the diagnostic value of the 99mTc-labeled fatty acids, the compounds were investigated in experiments in vitro and in biodistribution studies using male Wistar rats. The new fatty acid tracers contain the metal core in the oxidation states +3, well-wrapped in a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination moiety, which is attached at the omega-position of a fatty acid chain. This structural feature is considered to be a good imitation of the well-established iodinated phenyl fatty acids. High heart extraction in perfused heart studies (up to 26% injected dose (ID)) and noticeable heart uptake of the 99mTc tracers in vivo being in the order of 2% ID/g at 5 min (postinjection, pi.), accompanied by a good heart to blood ratio of 8, confirms that the new Tc compounds are suitable as fatty acid tracers.

Water-soluble phosphines for direct labeling of peptides with technetium and rhenium: insights from electrospray mass spectrometry

Direct labeling of salmon calcitonin (sCT) is possible in one step using water-soluble phosphines (sulfonated triphenylphosphines) as the reducing agent both for disulfide and for pertechnetate. Phosphines were the most efficient reducing agent for disulfide bonds among those examined. The phosphines both reduced the pertechnetate to Tc(III), and contributed to the technetium coordination sphere in the labeled product. In contrast, the phosphines did not reduce rhenium below oxidation state V, nor did they participate in the rhenium coordination sphere in the labeled peptide. Instead, the expected oxorhenium(V) moiety was incorporated. Both Tc and Re labeling processes gave rise to dimers with two peptides linked by the metal center, as well as simple monomeric species. Positive mode electrospray mass spectrometry not only revealed the presence of phosphine bound to technetium and oxygen bound to rhenium in the metallopeptides but also revealed the oxidation states of the metals. Electrospray mass spectrometry is proving to be an exceptionally valuable technique for characterizing radiopharmaceuticals. Although the one-step direct labeling method described gives mixed products and poor receptor affinity when applied to the small peptide sCT, it might be readily adapted to monoclonal antibodies.

Mixed-ligand rhenium-188 complexes with tetradentate/monodentate NS3/P ('4 + 1') coordination: relation of structure with antioxidation stability

Development of new radiopharmaceuticals based on rhenium-188 depends on finding appropriate ligands able to give complexes with high in vivo stability. Rhenium(III) mixed-ligand complexes with tetradentate/monodentate ('4 + 1') coordination of the general formula [Re(NS(3))(PRR'R' ')] (NS(3) = tris(2-mercaptoethyl)amine and derivatives thereof, PRR'R' ' = phosphorus(III) ligands) appear to be among the promising tools to achieve this goal. According to this approach, we synthesized and characterized a series of rhenium model complexes. In vitro stabilities of the corresponding rhenium-188 complexes were determined by incubating 2-3 MBq or alternatively 37 MBq of the complexes in phosphate buffer, human plasma, and rat plasma, respectively, at 22 degrees C or 37 degrees C, followed by checking the amount of (188)ReO(4)(-) formed after 1 h, 24, and 48 h by thin-layer chromatography. The rate of perrhenate formation varied over a wide range, depending primarily on the nature of the phosphorus(III) ligand. Physicochemical parameters of the corresponding nonradioactive rhenium complexes were analyzed in detail to find out the factors influencing their different stability and furthermore to design new substitution-inert '4 + 1' complexes. Tolman's cone angle of phosphorus(III) ligands and the lipophilic character of the inner coordination sphere were found to be crucial factors to build up stable rhenium '4 + 1' complexes. Additional information useful to describe electronic and steric properties of these compounds were selected from electronic spectra (wavelength of the Re-->S charge-transfer band), cyclovoltammetric measurements (E degrees of the Re(III)/Re(IV) couple), and NMR investigations ((31)P chemical shift of coordinated P(III) ligands).

An Unsymmetrical Tripodal Ligand with NOS2-Donor Set: Coordination Chemistry with Nickel(II) and Zinc(II)†

The synthesis of the novel tripodal ligand [N(CH2CH2CH2OH)(CH2CH2SH)2] H3-4 is reported. The aliphatic tetradentate ligand is equipped with an unsymmetrical NOS2 donor set. It reacts with Ni(OAc)2 x 4H2O or Zn(BF4)2 x xH2O to give the complexes [Ni(H-4)]2 5 and [Zn(H-4)]4 6, respectively. The molecular structures of 5 and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. In both cases multinuclear, mu-thiolato-bridged complexes, wherein the ligand coordinates with only three (NS2) of the four donor groups, had formed. The dinuclear complex 5 adopts a butterfly geometry and contains nickel(II) ions in a square-planar NS3 coordination environment. Cyclic voltammetry experiments indicate that the nickel centers in 5 are electron-rich but not overly sensitive toward oxidation. Complex 6 is tetranuclear and the four thiolato-bridged metal centers form a ring. It shows a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry for the zinc(II) ions in an NS3 coordination sphere. In both complexes the hydroxyl functionalized ligand arm of the tripodal ligand remains uncoordinated.

Novel Procedures for Preparing99mTc(III) Complexes with Tetradentate/Monodentate Coordination of Varying Lipophilicity and Adaptation to188Re Analogues

Improved methods are presented for the preparation of 99mTc and 188Re mixed-ligand complexes with tetradentate and monodentate ligands of the general formula [MIII(Lm)(Ln)] (M = Tc, Re; Lm = NS3 or NS3COOH; Ln = isocyanide or phosphine). To avoid the undesired formation of reduced-hydrolyzed species of both metals, the preparation of complexes is performed in a two-step procedure. At first the Tc(III)- or Re(III)-EDTA complex is formed which reacts in a second step with the tripodal ligand 2,2',2' '-nitrilotris(ethanethiol) (NS3) or its carboxyl derivative NS3COOH (a) and the monodentate phosphine ligands (triphenylphosphine L1, dimethylphenylphosphine L2) or isocyanides (tert-butyl isonitrile L3, methoxyisobutyl isonitrile L4, 4-isocyanomethylbenzoic acid-L-arginine L5, 4-isocyanomethylbenzoic acid-L-arginyl-L-arginine L6, 4-isocyanomethylbenzoic acid-neurotensin(8-13) L7) to the so-called '4+1' complex. Copper(I) isocyanide complexes are used for preparing the '4+1' complexes. That facilitates storage stability and allows kit formulations, and, moreover, enables the formation of 188Re complexes in acidic solution. Only micromolar amounts of the monodentate ligand are needed, and that results in high specific activity labeling of interesting molecules. The lipophilicity of complexes can be controlled by introducing a carboxyl group into the tetradentate ligand and/or derivatization of the monodentate ligands. Furthermore, the carboxyl group enables the conjugation of biomolecules. As an example, the neurotensin derivative CN-NT(8-13) was prepared and labeled with 99mTc according to the '4+1' approach, and its behavior in vivo was studied.

A new [2 + 1] mixed ligand concept based on [99(m)Tc(OH2)3(CO)3]+: a basic study

Mixed ligand fac-tricarbonyl complexes of the general formula [M(L1)(L2)(CO)3](M = Re, 99(m)Tc, L1= imidazole, benzyl isocyanide, L2 = 1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid, pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid, pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid) have been prepared starting from the precursors [M(OH2)3(CO)3]+. The complexes can be obtained in good yield and purity in a two-step procedure by first attaching the bidentate ligand followed by addition of the monodentate. 99mTc compounds can also be prepared at the tracer level in one-pot procedures with L1 and L2 being concomitantly present. This [2 + 1] approach allows the labeling of bioactive molecules containing a monodentate or a bidentate donor site. Examples given in here are N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)glycyl-N-(3-(imidazol-1-yl)propyl)phenylalaninamide, 5-((3-(imidazol-1-yl)propyl)aminomethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and 4-(5-isonitrilpentyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine as L1 and N-((6-carboxypyridine-3-yl)methyl)glycylphenylalanine as L2. The corresponding second ligand can be used to influence the physico-chemical properties of the conjugate. The crystal structures of [99Tc(OH2)(imc)(CO)3], [Re(OH2)(2,4-dipic)(CO)3], [Re(bic)(2,4-dipic)(CO)3] and [Re(im)(2,5-dipic)(CO)3] are reported.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of technetium(III) complexes with tridentate/bidentate S,E,S/P,S coordination (E = O, N(CH(3)), S): a novel approach to robust technetium chelates suitable for linking the metal to biomolecules

A novel type of mixed-ligand Tc(III) complexes, [Tc(SCH(2)CH(2)-E-CH(2)CH(2)S)(PR(2)S)] (E = S, N(CH(3)); PR(2)S = phosphinothiolate with R = aryl, alkyl) is described. These "3+2"-coordinated complexes can be prepared in a two-step reduction/substitution procedure via the appropriate chloro-containing oxotechnetium(V) complex [TcO(SES)Cl] [E=S, N(CH(3)]. Tc(III) compounds have been fully characterized both in solid and solution states and found to adopt the trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry. The equatorial trigonal plane is formed by three thiolate sulfur atoms, whereas the phosphorus of the bidentate P,S ligand and the neutral donor of the tridentate chelator occupy the apical positions. The (99)Tc(III) complexes have been proven to be identical with the (99m)Tc agents prepared at the no-carrier-added level by comparison of the corresponding UV/vis and radiometric HPLC profiles. Challenge experiments with glutathione clearly indicate that this tripeptide has no effect on the stability of the (99m)Tc complexes in solutions. Biodistribution studies have been carried out in rats at 5 and 120 min postinjection. The substituents at the bidentate P,S ligand significantly influence the biodistribution pattern. Remarkable differences are observed especially in brain, blood, lungs, and liver. All the complexes are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier of rats and showed a relatively fast washout from the brain.

Mixed-ligand technetium(III) complexes with tetradendate/monodendate NS(3)/isocyanide coordination: a new nonpolar technetium chelate system for the design of neutral and lipophilic complexes stable in vivo

Starting from the tripodal ligand 2,2',2' '-nitrilotris(ethanethiol) (NS(3)) and isocyanides (CNR) as co-ligands, neutral mixed-ligand technetium(III) complexes of the general formulation [Tc(NS(3))(CNR)] have been synthesized and characterized. The (99)Tc complexes can be( )()obtained by a two-step reduction/substitution procedure starting from [TcO(4)](-) via the phosphine-containing precursor complex [Tc(NS(3))(PMe(2)Ph)]. As shown by X-ray structural analyses, the complexes adopt a nearly ideal trigonal-bipyramidal geometry with the trigonal plane formed by the three thiolate sulfurs of the tripodal ligand. The central nitrogen atom of the chelate ligand and the monodendate isocyanides occupy the apical positions. The no-carrier-added preparation of the corresponding (99m)Tc complexes was performed by a one-step procedure starting from (99m)[TcO(4)](-) with stannous chloride as reducing agent. Biodistribution studies in the rat demonstrated for the nonpolar, lipophilic compounds a significant initial brain uptake. In vitro challenge experiments with glutathione clearly indicated that no transchelation reaction occurs. Furthermore, there were no indications for reoxidation of Tc(III) to Tc(V) species or pertechnetate. We propose this type of complexes as a useful tool in the design of lipophilic (99m)Tc or (186)Re/(188)Re radiopharmaceuticals.

Synthesis and characterization of novel trigonal bipyramidal technetium(III) mixed-ligand complexes with SES/S/P coordination (E = O, N(CH3), S)

Five-coordinate oxotechnetium(V) mixed-ligand complexes [TcO(SES)(S-p-C6H4-OMe)], where SES is a tridentate dithiolato fragment of the type -S(CH2)2E(CH2)2S- (E = O, 1; E = S, 2; E = NMe, 3) are converted via reduction-substitution reactions in the presence of PMe2Ph into the corresponding five-coordinate Tc(III) complexes [Tc(SES)(S-p-C6H4-OMe)(PMe2Ph)] (E = O, 4; E = S, 5; E = NMe, 6). Rearrangement of the original square pyramidal "3 + 1" oxo species to the trigonal bipyramidal "3 + 1 + 1" Tc(III) complexes occurs by placing the three thiolate donors on the basal plane, the phosphine phosphorus, and the heteroatom of the tridentate ligand at the apexes of the bipyramid. These Tc(III) complexes are diamagnetic species, thereby allowing multinuclear NMR characterization in solution, which confirm their structures to be identical to those observed in the solid state via X-ray determinations.