PET imaging of αvβ₃ integrin expression in tumours with ⁶⁸Ga-labelled mono-, di- and tetrameric RGD peptides.
OBJECTIVE
Due to the restricted expression of α(v)β(3) in tumours, α(v)β(3) is considered a suitable receptor for tumour targeting. In this study the α(v)β(3)-binding characteristics of (68)Ga-labelled monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric RGD peptides were determined and compared with their (111)In-labelled counterparts.


METHODS
A monomeric (E-c(RGDfK)), a dimeric (E-[c(RGDfK)](2)) and a tetrameric (E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2)) RGD peptide were synthesised, conjugated with DOTA and radiolabelled with (68)Ga. In vitro α(v)β(3)-binding characteristics were determined in a competitive binding assay. In vivo α(v)β(3)-targeting characteristics of the compounds were assessed in mice with subcutaneously growing SK-RC-52 xenografts. In addition, microPET images were acquired using a microPET/CT scanner.


RESULTS
The IC(50) values for the Ga(III)-labelled DOTA-E-c(RGDfK), DOTA-E-[c(RGDfK)](2) and DOTA-E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2) were 23.9 ± 1.22, 8.99 ± 1.20 and 1.74 ± 1.18 nM, respectively, and were similar to those of the In(III)-labelled mono-, di- and tetrameric RGD peptides (26.6 ± 1.15, 3.34 ± 1.16 and 1.80 ± 1.37 nM, respectively). At 2 h post-injection, tumour uptake of the (68)Ga-labelled mono-, di- and tetrameric RGD peptides (3.30 ± 0.30, 5.24 ± 0.27 and 7.11 ± 0.67%ID/g, respectively) was comparable to that of their (111)In-labelled counterparts (2.70 ± 0.29, 5.61 ± 0.85 and 7.32 ± 2.45%ID/g, respectively). PET scans were in line with the biodistribution data. On all PET scans, the tumour could be clearly visualised.


CONCLUSIONS
The integrin affinity and the tumour uptake followed the order of DOTA-tetramer > DOTA-dimer > DOTA-monomer. The (68)Ga-labelled tetrameric RGD peptide has excellent characteristics for imaging of α(v)β(3) expression with PET.
Dijkgraaf
Ingrid
I
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. I.Dijkgraaf@nucmed.umcn.nl
Yim
Cheng-Bin
CB
Franssen
Gerben M
GM
Schuit
Robert C
RC
Luurtsema
Gert
G
Liu
Shuang
S
Oyen
Wim J G
WJ
Boerman
Otto C
OC
D000818:Animals; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019281:Dimerization; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D000442:Octanols / Q000737:chemistry; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; D000442:Octanols; D009842:Oligopeptides; D014867:Water; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid