Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) is a promising strategy to treat different types of cancer. TRT relies on a targeting vector used to deliver a therapeutic radionuclide specifically to the tumour… Click to show full abstract
Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) is a promising strategy to treat different types of cancer. TRT relies on a targeting vector used to deliver a therapeutic radionuclide specifically to the tumour site. Several low molecular weight ligands targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been synthesized, but their pharmacokinetic properties still need to be optimized. Hereby, we describe the synthesis of new conjugates, featuring the cleavable linkers Gly-Tyr-Lys (GYK) and Met-Val-Lys (MVK), to reduce the dose delivered to the kidneys. Compounds were synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and obtained in greater than 95% chemical purity. Radiolabelling was performed with both In-111 and Lu-177 to validate potential use of the compounds as both imaging and therapeutic agents. Radiochemical purity greater than 80% was obtained for both nuclides, but significant radiolysis was observed for the methionine-containing analogue. The results obtained thus far with the GYK-PSMA conjugate could warrant further biological investigations.
               
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