Synthesis and Development of Novel Radiopharmaceuticals for Targeted Radiotherapy and Theranostics

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Radiopharmaceutical Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 September 2024) | Viewed by 4079

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
Interests: radiopharmaceutical sciences; medical physics in nuclear medicine; targeted radiotherapy; nuclear molecular imaging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tumors are pathological complexes composed of cancerous and non-cancerous cells that communicate through networks regulated by acellular factors such as cytokines, inflammatory enzymes, chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components. Investigating the critical role of cells and proteins associated with the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells is a priority objective in the field of cancer biology. However, cancer proteomics has shown that the expression of specific molecular targets is dynamic, which has transformed nuclear molecular imaging techniques from purely diagnostic to disease prognostic procedures for accurate treatment selection. More specifically, current developments in radiopharmaceuticals for targeted radiotherapy and theranostics are aimed at innovating new radioligands with specific molecular targeting and selective radioactivity delivery to cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. For example, the 177Lu- and 225Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting the PSMA protein and somatostatin receptors, along with their diagnostic radionuclide pairs (theranostic pairs), are experiencing exponential growth worldwide as nuclear molecular imaging and targeted radiotherapy agents for prostate cancer and tumors of neuroendocrine origin.

Pharmaceuticals invites both reviews and original articles that highlight recent innovations in the development of molecularly targeted radiopharmaceuticals. Topics include the synthesis and chemical characterization of new radioligands with molecular targeting to cancer cells or the tumor microenvironment (diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications), production methods of new radionuclides with optimal properties for targeted radiotherapy or as theranostic pairs, radio-nanopharmaceuticals (radio-nanoparticles) useful in targeted radiotherapy or theranosticso, dosimetric aspects in the application of molecularly targeted radiopharmaceuticals, preclinical and clinical studies of new radiopharmaceuticals for targeted radiotherapy or as potential theranostic pairs. The collection of manuscripts will be published in a Special Issue of the journal.

Dr. Guillermina Ferro-Flores
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • radiopharmaceuticals
  • targeted radiotherapy
  • internal dosimetry
  • radionuclide production
  • nuclear molecular imaging

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3555 KiB  
Article
64Cu2+ Complexes of Tripodal Amine Ligands’ In Vivo Tumor and Liver Uptakes and Intracellular Cu Distribution in the Extrahepatic Bile Duct Carcinoma Cell Line TFK-1: A Basic Comparative Study
by Mitsuhiro Shinada, Masashi Takahashi, Chika Igarashi, Hiroki Matsumoto, Fukiko Hihara, Tomoko Tachibana, Masakazu Oikawa, Hisashi Suzuki, Ming-Rong Zhang, Tatsuya Higashi, Hiroaki Kurihara, Yukie Yoshii and Yoshihiro Doi
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(7), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17070820 - 21 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a critical element for cancer cell proliferation and considerably accumulates in the nucleus. 64Cu2+ is an anticancer radiopharmaceutical that targets the copper requirement of cancer cells. However, intravenously injected 64Cu2+ ions primarily accumulate in the liver. [...] Read more.
Copper (Cu) is a critical element for cancer cell proliferation and considerably accumulates in the nucleus. 64Cu2+ is an anticancer radiopharmaceutical that targets the copper requirement of cancer cells. However, intravenously injected 64Cu2+ ions primarily accumulate in the liver. Ligand complexation of 64Cu2+ may be a promising method for increasing tumor delivery by reducing liver uptake. In this study, we used three tripodal amine ligands [tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (Tren), diethylenetriamine (Dien), and tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA)] to enclose 64Cu2+ ions and compared their in vivo tumor and liver uptakes using a tumor-bearing xenograft mouse model of the extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma cell line TFK-1. We examined intracellular Cu distribution using microparticle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis of these compounds. 64Cu2+-Tren and 64Cu2+-Dien showed higher tumor uptake than 64Cu2+-TPMA and 64Cu2+ ions in TFK-1 tumors. Among the three 64Cu2+ complexes and 64Cu2+ ions, liver uptake was inversely correlated with tumor uptake. Micro-PIXE analysis showed that in vitro cellular uptake was similar to in vivo tumor uptake, and nuclear delivery was the highest for 64Cu2+-Tren. Conclusively, an inverse correlation between tumor and liver uptake was observed using three 64Cu2+ complexes of tripodal amine ligands and 64Cu2+ ions. These results provide useful information for the future development of anticancer 64Cu radiopharmaceuticals. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 740 KiB  
Review
Integrin Targeting and Beyond: Enhancing Cancer Treatment with Dual-Targeting RGD (Arginine–Glycine–Aspartate) Strategies
by Bojana Bogdanović, Daniel Fagret, Catherine Ghezzi and Christopher Montemagno
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(11), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17111556 - 20 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2416
Abstract
Integrins, an important superfamily of cell adhesion receptors, play an essential role in cancer progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis, establishing them as prime targets for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Despite their significant potential, integrin-targeted therapies have faced substantial challenges in clinical trials, including [...] Read more.
Integrins, an important superfamily of cell adhesion receptors, play an essential role in cancer progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis, establishing them as prime targets for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Despite their significant potential, integrin-targeted therapies have faced substantial challenges in clinical trials, including variable efficacy and unmet high expectations. Nevertheless, the consistent expression of integrins on tumor and stromal cells underscores their ongoing relevance and potential. Traditional RGD-based imaging and therapeutic agents have faced limitations, such as inconsistent target expression and rapid systemic clearance, which have reduced their effectiveness. To overcome these challenges, recent research has focused on advancing RGD-based strategies and exploring innovative solutions. This review offers a thorough analysis of the latest developments in the RGD–integrin field, with a particular focus on addressing previous limitations. It delves into new dual-targeting approaches and cutting-edge RGD-based agents designed to improve both tumor diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes. By examining these advancements, this review illuminates new pathways for enhancing the specificity and efficacy of integrin-targeted therapies, paving the way for more effective cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies. Full article
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