Publikationsrepositorium - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

44/47Sc3+, 68Ga3+ and 111In3+ are the three most attractive trivalent smaller radiometalnuclides, offering a wide range of distinct properties (emission energies and types) in the toolbox of nuclear medicine. In this study, all three of the metal ions are successfully chelated using a new oxine-based hexadentate ligand, H3glyox, which forms thermodynamically stable and kinetically inert neutral complexes with exceptionally high pM values [pIn (34) > pSc (26) > pGa (24.9)]. X-ray diffraction single crystal structures with stable isotopes revealed that the ligand is highly preorganized and has a perfect fit to size cavity to form [Sc(glyox)(H2O)] and [In(glyox)(H2O)] complexes. Quantitative radiolabeling of 68Ga (RCY > 95%, [L]= 10-5 M) and 111In (RCY > 99%, [L]= 10-8 M) was achieved at ambient conditions (RT, pH 7 and 15 min) with very high apparent molar activities of 750 MBq/mol and 650 MBq/nmol, respectively. Preliminary quantitative radiolabeling of 44ScCl3 (RCY > 99%, [L] = 10-6 M) was fast at room temperature (pH 7 and 10 min). In vitro experiments revealed exceptional stability of both 68Ga(glyox) and 111In(glyox) complexes against human serum (rate of transchelation < 2%) and its suitability for biological applications. Additionally, on chelation with metal ions, H3glyox exhibits enhanced fluorescence which was employed to determine the stability constants for Sc(glyox) complex in addition to the in-batch UV-vis spectrophotometric titrations; as a proof-of-concept these complexes were used to obtain fluorescence images of live HeLa cells using natSc(glyox) and natGa(glyox), confirming the viability of the cells. These initial investigations suggest H3glyox to be a valuable chelator for radiometalbased diagnosis (nuclear and optical imaging) and therapy.