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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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Open Access 01-01-2022 | Original Article

Impact of the mouse model and molar amount of injected ligand on the tissue distribution profile of PSMA radioligands

Authors: Viviane J. Tschan, Francesca Borgna, Roger Schibli, Cristina Müller

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 2/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Various preclinical study designs are described in the literature for the evaluation of PSMA radioligands. In this study, [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-Ibu-DAB-PSMA, an albumin-binding radioligand, and [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 were investigated and compared under variable experimental conditions.

Methods

In vitro cell uptake studies were performed with PC-3 PIP and LNCaP tumor cells using a range of molar concentrations (0.75–500 nM) of both radioligands. Biodistribution and SPECT/CT imaging studies were carried out with the respective tumor mouse models using 0.05 nmol and 1.0 nmol injected ligand per mouse.

Results

In both tumor cell lines, the uptake of the radioligands was increased when using low molar concentrations of the respective ligand. The observed saturation effect at high ligand concentrations was more pronounced for LNCaP cells that express PSMA at lower levels than for PC-3 PIP cells. At all investigated timepoints, the in vivo uptake of both radioligands was higher in PC-3 PIP tumors than in LNCaP tumors. A low molar amount of injected ligand increased the PC-3 PIP tumor uptake mainly for [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-Ibu-DAB-PSMA; however, the molar amount of ligand was relevant for both radioligands when using LNCaP tumors. Renal retention of both radioligands was, however, up to fourfold higher during the first hours after application of a low ligand amount compared to the high ligand amount.

Conclusion

The results of this preclinical study underline the relevance of the tumor model and applied ligand amount for the characterization of PSMA radioligands. The application of equal preclinical study designs is crucial to allow the comparison of novel radioligands with existing ones and, thus, predict potential advantages of new radioligands in view of a clinical application.

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Title: Impact of the mouse model and molar amount of injected ligand on the tissue distribution profile of PSMA radioligands
Authors: Viviane J. Tschan
Francesca Borgna
Roger Schibli
Cristina Müller
Publication date: 01-01-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-021-05446-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Impact of the mouse model and molar amount of injected ligand on the tissue distribution profile of PSMA radioligands

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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