LnPO4 nanoparticles doped with Ac-225 and sequestered daughters for targeted alpha therapy

For targeted alpha therapy (TAT) with 225Ac, daughter radioisotopes from the parent emissions should be controlled. Here, we report on a second-generation layered nanoparticle (NP) with improved daughter retention that can mediate TAT of lung tumor colonies. NPs of La3+, Gd3+, and 225Ac3+ ions were coated with additional layers of GdPO4 and then coated with gold via citrate reduction of NaAuCl4. MAb 201b, targeting thrombomodulin in lung endothelium, was added to a polyethylene glycol (dPEG)-COOH linker. The NPs:mAb ratio was quantified by labeling the mAb with 125I. NPs showed 30% injected dose/organ antibody-mediated uptake in the lung, which increased to 47% in mice pretreated with clodronate liposomes to reduce phagocytosis. Retention of daughter 213Bi in lung tissue was more than 70% at one hour and about 90% at 24 hours postinjection. Treatment of mice with lung-targeted 225Ac NP reduced EMT-6 lung colonies relative to cold antibody competition for targeting or phosphate-buffered saline injected controls. We conclude that LnPO4 NPs represent a viable solution to deliver the 225Ac as an in vivo α generator. The NPs successfully retain a large percentage of the daughter products without compromising the tumoricidal properties of the α-radiation.