GRPR-Antagonists Carrying DOTAGA-Chelator via Positively Charged Linkers: Perspectives for Prostate Cancer Theranostics.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-antagonists have served as motifs in the development of theranostic radioligands for prostate cancer. Our efforts have been focused on the development of radiolabeled RM26 (H-DPhe 6 -Gln 7 -Trp 8 -Ala 9 -Val 10 -Gly 11 -His 12 -Sta 13 -Leu 14 -NH 2 ) analogs, such as [ 111 In]In-DOTAGA-PEG2-RM26. We recently showed that its Gly 11 /Sar 11 -substituted version, [ 111 In]In-AU-RM26-M1, resisted degradation by neprilysin (NEP) while in circulation and achieved higher tumor uptake in mice. We herein introduce the following three new AU-RM26-M1 mimics labeled with In-111, with basic residues in the linker: (i) AU-RM26-M2 (PEG2-Pip), (ii) AU-RM26-M3 (PEG2-Arg), and (iii) AU-RM26-M4 (Arg-Arg-Pip). These analogs were compared in PC-3 cells and animal models vs. AU-RM26-M1 (reference). The new analogs showed high affinity and specificity for the GRPR, exhibiting an uptake and distribution pattern in PC-3 cells typical for a radiolabeled GRPR-antagonist. They showed high stability in peripheral mice blood, except for [ 111 In]In-AU-RM26-M3. AU-RM26-M4 achieved the highest tumor uptake and promising background clearance, followed by [ 111 In]In-RM26-M2, showing lower background levels. These findings were confirmed for [ 111 In]In-AU-RM26-M2 and [ 111 In]In-AU-RM26-M4 by micro-SPECT/CT at 4 and 24 h post-injection. Hence, the type of positively charged residues in the linker of AU-RM26-M1 mimics strongly influenced biological behavior. The analogs with Pip next to DPhe 6 demonstrated the best overall characteristics and warrant further investigation.