Chemical aspects of metal ion chelation in the synthesis and application antibody-based radiotracers

Abstract

Radiometals are becoming increasingly accessible and are utilized frequently in the design of radiotracers for imaging and therapy. Nuclear properties ranging from the emission of γ‐rays and β+‐particles (imaging) to Auger electron and β− and α‐particles (therapy) in combination with long half‐lives are ideally matched with the relatively long biological half‐life of monoclonal antibodies in vivo. Radiometal labeling of antibodies requires the incorporation of a metal chelate onto the monoclonal antibody. This chelate must coordinate the metal under mild conditions required for the handling of antibodies, as well as provide high kinetic, thermodynamic, and metabolic stability once the metal ion is coordinated to prevent release of the radionuclide before the target site is reached in vivo. Herein, we review the role of different radiometals that have found applications of the design of radiolabeled antibodies for imaging and radioimmunotherapy. Each radionuclide is described regarding its nuclear synthesis, coordinative preference, and radiolabeling properties with commonly used and novel chelates, as well as examples of their preclinical and clinical applications. An overview of recent trends in antibody‐based radiopharmaceuticals is provided to spur continued development of the chemistry and application of radiometals for imaging and therapy.