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Project

Development of new TCO-probes and their evaluation for a novel pre-targeted intracellular PET imaging strategy.

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAb) is a powerful in vivo research tool with applications in diagnostic as well as in prognostic and therapeutic settings. The molecular precision of antigen-mAb interaction turns radiolabeled mAbs into highly specific radiotracers with a very high affinity. However, the high molecular weight and the long circulation times of mAbs are associated with unsatisfactory target to background ratios, thus requiring the use of long-lived isotopes which yields high radiation burden to the patient. A pretargeting strategy based in biorthogonal chemistry offers a solution to this problem. In this approach, the mAb with biorthogonal tag will be labeled in vivo with a short lived radiotracer through bioorthogonal reaction at the target site. This allows in vivo imaging of the target with superior image contrast and reduced radiation doses. An additional challenge is that many mAbs internalize upon binding to their target on the cell surface, before the pretargeting reaction. To overcome this issue, this project aims to develop a novel pretargeted intracellular PET imaging strategy. We will develop novel cell permeable fluorinated trans-cyclooctene analogues (TCOs) and investigate their potential for pretargeted intracellular imaging using an innovative approach of "turn-on" FluoroBOT labeled mAbs. Finally, following optimization of radiochemistry, the 18F-TCO will be used in an in vivo imaging study.
Date:1 Nov 2019 →  31 Oct 2023
Keywords:POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET)
Disciplines:Radiopharmacy, Nuclear imaging
Project type:Collaboration project