Development of a New Class of CXCR4-Targeting Radioligands Based on the Endogenous Antagonist EPI-X4 for Oncological Applications.

The peptide fragment of human serum albumin that was identified as an inhibitor of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), termed EPI-X4, was investigated as a scaffold for the development of CXCR4-targeting radio-theragnostics. Derivatives of its truncated version JM#21 (ILRWSRKLPCVS) were conjugated to 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and tested in Jurkat and Ghost-CXCR4 cells. Ligand- 1 , - 2 , - 5 , - 6 , - 7 , - 8 , and - 9 were selected for radiolabeling. Molecular modeling indicated that ¹⁷⁷ Lu-DOTA incorporation C-terminally did not interfere with the CXCR4 binding. Lipophilicity, in vitro plasma stability, and cellular uptake hinted ¹⁷⁷ Lu- 7 as superior. In Jurkat xenografts, all radioligands showed >90% washout from the body within an hour, with the exception of ¹⁷⁷ Lu- 7 and ¹⁷⁷ Lu- 9 . ¹⁷⁷ Lu- 7 demonstrated best CXCR4-tumor targeting. Ex vivo biodistribution and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging of ¹⁷⁷ Lu- 7 / ⁶⁸ Ga- 7 showed the same distribution profile for both radioligands, characterized by very low uptake in all nontargeted organs except the kidneys. The data support the feasibility of CXCR4-targeting with EPI-X4-based radioligands and designate ligand- 7 as a lead candidate for further optimization.