A single-step radiolabeling strategy for PET, SPECT, and therapeutic radionuclides using nanoparticles as a universal chelator

Radiopharmaceuticals are a novel approach for tumor treatment, with several successful examples in the clinic. When developing this approach, the selection of the two radiometals for imaging and therapy is a key step that is determined by the availability of suitable chelators that allow their in vivo targeted use. New chelators are continuously being proposed for various applications. This large number of compounds reflects the fact that there is currently no general chelator that can complex a large number of isotopes with good yields, stable labeling even in challenging conditions, and easy conjugation to the targeting vector. Here, we demonstrate how the use of core-doped iron oxide nanomaterials can be a “universal chelator.” We have developed 10 new nano-radiopharmaceuticals with applications spanning from PET and SPECT to alpha and beta therapies. We conducted a series of in vivo proof-of-concept experiments to demonstrate the potential of this approach, which combines the best of nanomaterials with the best of nuclear medicine approaches.