A Novel Type ofPSMA-Targeting Ligands via β-BranchedAromatic α-Amino Acid Modification, Bearing EnhancedTumor Targeting and Reduced Renal Toxicity
作者:Z.‐R. LIU, Xueyao Chen, Xin Gao, Siqi Zhang, Chunxiao Xing, Rui Wang, Kuan Hu, Li‐Cheng Yang · 发表于:Journal of Medicinal Chemistry · 年份:2025 · DOI:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c02083 · 被引用次数:7 · 研究领域:Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research、Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis、Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and Applications
Abstract We designed and synthesized a novel type of PSMA radioligand incorporating (2S, 3R) β-branched aromatic α-amino acids within the linker segment of its structure. In vivo PET/CT imaging and biodistribution analysis revealed that β-branched aromatic α-amino acids modified PSMA radioligands could maintain or even improve tumor targeting while exhibiting a more rapid renal clearance rate than [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617. With average renal uptake of less than 10%ID/g, as opposed to 25%ID/g for [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617, this substantial decrease in renal accumulation translates to a significantly improved safety profile by minimizing nephrotoxic risks. Our findings establish (2S,3R) β-branched aromatic α-amino acids as multifunctional pharmacophores that simultaneously enhance two critical performance parameters: target-binding affinity and renal clearance efficiency. Notably, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-Y55 emerged as the lead compound, exhibiting an optimal balance of high tumor uptake and low renal accumulation, rendering it a promising candidate for next-generation prostate cancer radioligand therapy.