Open AccessStrategies for the Development of Novel Tumor Targeting Technetium and Rhenium Radiopharmaceuticals
Author(s) -
Thomas L. Mindt,
Harriet Struthers,
Elisa García-Garayoa,
Dominique Desbouis,
Roger Schibli
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2007.725
Subject(s) - rhenium , nuclide , clinical practice , radionuclide therapy , chemistry , clearance , biomolecule , computer science , nanotechnology , radiochemistry , computational biology , medical physics , medicine , nuclear medicine , materials science , biology , physics , family medicine , quantum mechanics , urology , inorganic chemistry
The labeling of tumor targeting biomolecules with the ?-emitting nuclide Tc-99m and the ?-emitting nuclides Re-186/188 is an attractive option for non-invasive diagnosis and therapy of cancerous diseases. Issues such as availability, low costs, high specific activity and suitable decay properties are responsible for the prominent role of Tc-99m and Re-188. In addition Tc-99m and Re-186/188 represent one of the few 'matched-pairs' of diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides with identical or very similar chemical characteristics. Basic chemistry for both elements has made tremendous progress in the past. A variety of established Tc/Re-metal cores, metal chelating systems and reliable labeling methods are available today. However, despite enormous research efforts, the new generation of specific Tc/Re-radiopharmaceuticals is far from their introduction into routine clinical practice. The reasons are manifold and, from a scientific point of view, not always justified. Functionalization and Tc/Re-labeling of promising, small (tumor) targeting molecules without compromising their biological affinity or fate is a frequent problem. In this article, promising pharmacological and chemical approaches necessary for the development of a novel generation of Tc/Re radiopharmaceuticals are described.