1,4,7-Triazacyclononane (TACN) ligands with pendant pyridyl arms - New versatile bifunctional chelating agents (BFCAs)

INTRODUCTION
Radiopharmaceuticals based on metallic radionuclides, such as ^64/67Cu, ^99mTc, ^186/188Re and ^86/90Y, are often used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (1, 2). These nuclides are usually enveloped in organic ligands, such as heteromacrocyclic systems. To be effective, the ligands have to show fast metal complexation kinetics, form complexes with high in vitro and in vivo stability and contain a group that can be linked to biomolecules. We have developed a new ligand scaffold - based on bis(2-pyridylmethyl)triazacyclononane (DMPTACN) – that satisfies these requirements. This structure allows for the introduction of linker groups, such as carboxylic acids, maleinimide or isothiocyanate, thereby facilitating coupling of targeting molecules.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A new TACN derivative, containing two pyridyl pendant arms as well as a carboxylic group for coupling to biomolecules has been synthesized and its copper(II) binding properties investigated. Conjugation of a stabilized octapeptide (bombesin βAla-βAla-[Cha¹³, Nle¹⁴]) was successfully achieved via amide coupling (3). Both the free ligand and the bombesin bioconjugate can rapidly form very stable radiocopper complexes. In vitro ligand competition experiments and stability studies in rat plasma medium gave no evidence of transchelation or demetalation. Biodistribution studies of the bombesin conjugate revealed an accumulation of the compound in the pancreas, which is the organ with highest levels of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) targeted by bombesin.
Our radiopharmalogical data indicate that bifunctional chelating TACN agents are attractive candidates for developing new copper radiotherapeutics. In this perspective, particular BFCAs will be attached to carrier molecules, such as oligonucleotides, antibodies and synthetic polymers, to deliver radiocopper isotopes to target tissues.

REFERENCES
1. Anderson C.J., Welch M.J. (1999) Metal complexes as diagnostic tools. Coord. Chem. Rev. 184, 3-66.
2. Volkert W.A., Hoffman T.J. (1999) Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Chem. Rev. 99, 2269-2292.
3. Gasser G., Tjioe L., Graham B., Belousoff M. J., Juran S., Walther M., Künstler J.U., Bergmann R., Stephan H., Spiccia L. (2008)
Synthesis, Copper(II) Complexation, ⁶⁴Cu-Labeling, and Bioconjugation of a New Bis(2-pyridylmethyl) Derivative of 1,4,7-
Triazacyclononane. Bioconjugate Chem. In press