Abstract
Purpose: Actinium-225 (225Ac) is a promising radionuclide used in targeted alpha therapy (TAT). Although 225Ac labelling of bifunctional chelating ligands is effective, previous in vivo studies have reported that free 225Ac can be released from the drugs. Notably, such free 225Ac predominantly accumulates in the liver and can cause unexpected toxicity. To accelerate the clinical development of 225Ac TAT, methods for addressing unexpected toxicity are therefore needed. In this study, we evaluated various chelators in vitro and in vivo with regard to reducing and excreting free 225Ac and compared their chemical structures. Methods: Nine candidate chelators (D-penicillamine, dimercaprol, Ca-DTPA, Ca-EDTA, CyDTA, GEDTA TTHA, Ca-TTHA, and DO3A) were tested. In vitro interaction of 225Ac and chelators was investigated. Biodistribution and dosimetry of free 225Ac were examined in mice prior to the in vivo chelating study. For in vivo chelation, nine candidate chelators were administered 1 h after free 225Ac injection, and biodistribution was compared 4 h after 225Ac injection in mice. Two favourable chelators were then investigated intensively for biodistribution 24 h after the 225Ac injection.Results: The liver exhibited pronounced 225Ac uptake corresponding to an estimated human absorbed dose of 4.76 SvRBE5/MBq. Aminopolycarboxylate chelators with five and six carboxylic groups, Ca-DTPA and Ca-TTHA, significantly reduced 225Ac retention in the liver (22% and 30%, respectively). Significant 225Ac reductions were observed in the heart and the remainder of the body with both Ca-DTPA and Ca-TTHA, and in the lung, kidney, and spleen for Ca-TTHA. In vitro interaction analysis supported the in vivo reduction ability of Ca-DTPA and Ca-TTHA.Conclusions. Aminopolycarboxylate chelators with five and six carboxylic groups, Ca-DTPA and Ca-TTHA, were effective for whole-body clearance of free 225Ac, with a significant reduction in the liver. This method could reduce undesirable radiation exposure from free 225Ac during 225Ac TAT.