Radiosynthesis, optimization and pharmacokinetic study of the 99mTc-labeled human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 affibody molecule probe 99mTc-(HE)3ZHER2:V2

Abstract

Objective To prepare a single-photon molecular probe easily labeled with 99mTc for evaluating the expression status of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor in ovarian cancer. Materials and methods The HEHEHE tag was added to the amino terminus of the affibody ZHER2:V2 by the method of gene recombinant expression, and a new affibody was synthesized which was easy to be labeled with 99mTc. The newly prepared affibody was labeled with 99mTc, and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out. Results A new affibody (HE)3ZHER2:V2 was prepared by the method of gene recombination and expression, which is easy to be labeled with 99mTc. The 99mTc labeling of the affibody can reach about 95% at 90°C. The pharmacokinetic study has shown that the 99mTc-labeled molecular probe has a fast clearance time in the blood and little side effect, which may be a promising single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging agent. Conclusion The affibody (HE)3ZHER2:V2 is easy to be labeled with 99mTc, has a high yield and has a suitable half-life in vivo, which is suitable for the next step in ovarian cancer model imaging research.