DFO* - An Improved Chelating System for 89Zr-Immuno-PET Applications

Objectives
The potential of 89Zr-labelled antibodies as diagnostic probes for 89Zr-immuno-PET has been demonstrated by a number of clinical trials.[1] The only chelator used thus far in the clinic is the siderophore desferrioxamine (DFO). However, DFO does not satisfy the preferred ocatadentate coordination of zirconium-89, which results in vivo into unspecific uptake of the radiometal in, e.g., the bones. This can interfere with the detection of bone metastases and leads to additional radiation dose to non-targeted tissue.
We have previously reported the development of an extended, octadentate version of DFO, termed DFO*,[2] which provides complexes with [89Zr]Zr4+ of remarkably increased stability in vitro and in vivo. [2, 3] DFO* and derivatives thereof already fulfil a number of prerequisites to become a new standard chelator for zirconium-89; however, its solubility could be improved to facilitate further its application in conjugation chemistry. We here wish to report our efforts in developing novel DFO* derivatives which display an improved water solubility.

Methods
Based on the DFO* scaffold, new derivatives containing pharmacological modifiers to improve the water solubility were synthesized. In addition, different functional groups for bioconjugation chemistry were included. LogP values of the novel bifunctional chelating agents were determined by HPLC. First bioconjugations and radiolabelling experiments with 89Zr were performed according to published procedures. [1,3]

Results
All new derivatives exhibited an increased hydrophilicity and thus, enhanced water solubility in comparison to the original DFO* (as well as DFO) system. Preliminary results on their reactivity in bioconjugations, capability of 89Zr-complexation, and stability of radiometal complexes will be reported.

Conclusions
Structural modifications provided novel derivatives of DFO* with improved water solubility which could facilitate their application in bioconjugation chemistry for the 89Zr-labelling of delicate proteins under aqueous (e.g., organic solvent free) reaction conditions.

Acknowledgements
This work is supported by the Swiss National Sciences Foundation (grant N° 205321–157216).

References
[1] G.A.M.S. Van Dongen, M.C. Huisman, R. Boellaard et al. Q. J. Nucl. Med. Mol. Imaging 2015, 59, 18-38
[2] M. Patra, A. Bauman, C. Mari et al. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 11523-11525
[3] D. Vugts, C. Klaver, C. Sewing et al. Eur. J. Nucl. Med. Mol. Im. 2016, doi:10.1007/s00259-016-3499-x S394: Poster 22nd International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences