In vitro and in vivo characterization of three 68Ga- and 111In-labeled peptides for cholecystokinin receptor imaging

Mol Imaging. 2012 Sep-Oct;11(5):401-7.

Abstract

Cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors are overexpressed in several human tumor types, such as medullary thyroid carcinomas and small cell lung cancers. Several ligands for the CCK2 receptor (CCK2R) have been developed for radionuclide targeting of these tumors. In this study, we evaluated whether radiolabeled DOTA-sCCK8 and its stabilized derivative, DOTA-sCCK8[Phe(2)(p-CH2SO3H), Nle(3,6)], are suitable for imaging of CCK2R-positive tumors, using DOTA-MG0 as a reference. In vivo targeting of CCK2R-positive tumors with DOTA-sCCK8, DOTA-sCCK8[Phe(2)(p-CH2SO3H), Nle(3,6)], and DOTA-MG0, labeled with (111)In or (68)Ga, was evaluated in BALB/c nude mice with a subcutaneous A431-CCK2R tumor. Biodistribution studies and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) were performed at 1 hour postinjection. All peptides specifically accreted in the CCK2R-expressing tumors. Both (111)In-DOTA-sCCK8 and (111)In-DOTA-sCCK8[Phe(2)(p-CH2SO3H), Nle(3,6)] showed good tumor retention (4.65% ID/g and 5.44% ID/g, respectively, at 4 hours postinjection). On PET/computed tomographic (CT) and SPECT/CT scans, subcutaneous A431-CCK2R tumors were clearly visualized with low uptake of sCCK8 peptides in the intestines. Whereas radiolabeled DOTA-MG0 showed high kidney uptake (70% ID/g), the sCCK8 peptides showed low uptake in the kidneys. Sulfated CCK8 analogues combined high tumor uptake with low retention in the kidney and are therefore promising tracers for imaging of CCK2R-positive tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Indium Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Indium Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Imaging / instrumentation
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / pharmacokinetics*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B / analysis
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B / metabolism*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Peptides
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B
  • 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane- 1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid