RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 177Lu-AMBA: Synthesis and Characterization of a Selective 177Lu-Labeled GRP-R Agonist for Systemic Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 1144 OP 1152 VO 47 IS 7 A1 Lantry, Laura E. A1 Cappelletti, Enrico A1 Maddalena, Mary Ellen A1 Fox, Jaclyn S. A1 Feng, Weiwei A1 Chen, Jianqing A1 Thomas, Regi A1 Eaton, Stephen M. A1 Bogdan, Nancy J. A1 Arunachalam, Thangavel A1 Reubi, Jean Claude A1 Raju, Natarajan A1 Metcalfe, Edmund C. A1 Lattuada, Luciano A1 Linder, Karen E. A1 Swenson, Rolf E. A1 Tweedle, Michael F. A1 Nunn, Adrian D. YR 2006 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/47/7/1144.abstract AB Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRP-R) are upregulated in many cancers, including prostate, breast, and lung. We describe a new radiolabeled bombesin (BBN) analog for imaging and systemic radiotherapy that has improved pharmacokinetics (PK) and better retention of radioactivity in the tumor. Methods: DO3A-CH2CO-G-4-aminobenzoyl-Q-W-A-V-G-H-L-M-NH2 (AMBA) was synthesized and radiolabeled. The human prostate cancer cell line PC-3 was used to determine the binding (Kd), retention, and efflux of 177Lu-AMBA. Receptor specificity was determined by in vitro autoradiography in human tissues. PK and radiotherapy studies were performed in PC-3 tumor-bearing male nude mice. Results: 177Lu-AMBA has a high affinity for the GRP-R (Kd, 1.02 nmol/L), with a maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 414 fmol/106 cells (2.5 × 105 GRP-R/cell). Internalization was similar for 177Lu-AMBA (76.8%), 177Lu-BBN8 (72.9%), and 125I-[Tyr4]-BBN (74.9%). Efflux was markedly lower for 177Lu-AMBA (2.9%) compared with 177Lu-BBN8 (15.9%) and 125I-[Tyr4]-BBN (46.1%). By receptor autoradiography, Lu-AMBA binds specifically to GRP-R (0.8 nmol/L) and to the neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R) (0.9 nmol/L), with no affinity for the bb3 receptor (>1,000 nmol/L). 177Lu-AMBA was renally excreted (55 %ID 1 h [percentage injected dose at 1 h]); tumor uptake at 1 and 24 h was 6.35 %ID/g and 3.39 %ID/g, respectively. One or 2 doses of 177Lu-AMBA (27.75 MBq/dose) significantly prolonged the life span of PC-3 tumor-bearing mice (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) and decreased PC-3 tumor growth rate over controls. When compared using World Health Organization criteria, mice receiving 2 doses versus 1 dose of 177Lu-AMBA demonstrated a shift away from stable/progressive disease toward complete/partial response; by RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), median survival increased by 36% and time to progression/progression-free survival increased by 65%. Conclusion: 177Lu-AMBA binds with nanomolar affinity to GRP-R and NMB-R, has low retention of radioactivity in kidney, demonstrates a very favorable risk–benefit profile, and is in phase I clinical trials.