Recent Advances in Pretargeted Strategy for Cancer Theranostics
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Published on: February 3, 2015
Yuyang Tian1, Zheng Huang1, Jiewei Luo2
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
Abstract:
In nuclear medicine, theranostic probes that combine nuclear imaging capabilities with therapeutic functions have shown promise for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. Nevertheless, the development of theranostic probes may be constrained by two principal factors: (1) the discrepancy between the slow accumulation time of the probes in the tumours and the short-lived radionuclides, and (2) the suboptimal imaging/treatment effect and high radioactive toxicity caused by long-lived radionuclides. In recent years, pretargeted strategy has been proposed as a potential solution to solve these problems. In the pretargeted strategy, two components consisting of a tumour-targeting vector (e. g., antibody) and a radionuclide are injected separately, which can then couple in the tumour tissues to trap radionuclides for nuclear imaging and/or therapy. This two-step process allows for the independent optimization of the pharmacokinetics of them in vivo, benefiting to improve nuclear imaging and/or therapy of tumours in vivo. In this concept, we will discuss the principle of the pretargeted strategy, with a focus on the discussion of different tumour-targeting vectors, including antibody-mediated delivery, nanoparticle-mediated delivery, metabolic glycan labeling-mediated accumulation, and enzyme-triggered in situ self-assembly-mediated retention. Finally, we will discuss the current challenges and perspectives on their applications for cancer theranostics in clinics.
Insights
The pretargeted strategy improves cancer theranostics by separately delivering tumor-targeting vectors and radionuclides, optimizing their in vivo behavior for better imaging and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Theranostic probes combine imaging and therapy for cancer, but face challenges with radionuclide and probe accumulation times.
- Discrepancies in probe accumulation and radionuclide half-lives limit current theranostic probe development.
- Long-lived radionuclides can cause suboptimal effects and high toxicity in cancer theranostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and discuss the pretargeted strategy for overcoming limitations in cancer theranostics.
- To explore various tumor-targeting vectors used in pretargeted theranostics.
- To review current challenges and future perspectives for clinical applications of pretargeted cancer theranostics.
Main Methods:
- Discusses the principle of the pretargeted strategy in nuclear medicine.
- Reviews different tumor-targeting vectors: antibody-mediated, nanoparticle-mediated, metabolic glycan labeling, and enzyme-triggered in situ self-assembly.
- Analyzes the independent optimization of pharmacokinetics for improved in vivo performance.
Main Results:
- The pretargeted strategy allows separate optimization of vector and radionuclide delivery, improving in vivo pharmacokinetics.
- This approach addresses the limitations of probe accumulation time and radionuclide half-life.
- Enables enhanced nuclear imaging and/or therapeutic effects in tumors.
Conclusions:
- Pretargeted strategy offers a promising solution for developing effective cancer theranostic probes.
- Various targeting vectors show potential for efficient radionuclide delivery and retention in tumors.
- Further research and clinical translation are needed to overcome current challenges in pretargeted cancer theranostics.
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