Preparation and preliminary bioevaluation of 99mTc(CO)3-11β-progesterone derivative prepared via click chemistry route

IntroductionProgesterone receptors (PRs) overexpressed in breast cancers serve as potential targets for developing radiotracers for use in nuclear medicine. Hence, suitably derivatized progesterone can be envisaged as a potential vector for targeting overexpression of receptors in breast cancer. In the present article, we report the preparation of a 99mTc(CO)3-progesterone triazole using the Cu(I)-catalyzed novel click chemistry route. Preliminary evaluation of the radiolabeled derivative has been carried out in binding studies with MCF 7 cell lines.Methods11-Hydroxyprogesterone has been synthetically derivatized to 11-azidoprogesterone. Subsequently, the cycloaddition reaction between progesterone azide and propargyl glycine was carried out to prepare 1,4-bifunctionalized progesterone triazole analogue. The clicked progesterone triazole derivative was radiolabeled with 99mTc and characterized by HPLC. The chemical characterization of 99mTc(CO)3-progesterone triazole has been carried out by preparing its corresponding rhenium complex using the [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3] precursor. While in vitro studies were carried out in MCF7 cell lines, in vivo distribution studies were performed in female Swiss mice.ResultsThe radiolabeled complex could be prepared in >95% radiochemical yield as determined by HPLC. In vitro studies of 99mTc(CO)3-progesterone complex in MCF7 cell lines overexpressing receptors for breast cancer showed binding up to 30%. In vivo distribution studies in female Swiss mice have shown uterine uptake of 0.41 (0.06) % ID/g at 3 h postinjection (pi) and retention therein till 24 h pi.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates a novel and facile route for preparation of 99mTc-labeled progesterone complex using click chemistry. This strategy can be further extended towards preparation of radiolabeled complexes of other steroidal derivatives.