BackgroundThe gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr) is a molecular target for the visualization of prostate cancer. Bombesin (BN) analogs are short peptides with a high affinity for GRPr. RM2 is a bombesin-based antagonist. It has been demonstrated that RM2 have superior in vivo biodistribution and targeting properties than high-affinity receptor agonists. This study developed new RM2-like antagonists by introducing the novel bifunctional chelators AAZTA(5) and DATA(5m) to RM2.ResultsThe effects of different macrocyclic chelating groups on drug targeting properties and the possibility of preparing Ga-68-radiopharmaceuticals in a kit-based protocol were investigated using Ga-68-labeled entities. Both new RM2 variants were labelled with Ga-68(3+) resulting in high yields, stability, and low molarity of the ligand. DATA(5m)-RM2 and AAZTA(5)-RM2 incorporated Ga-68(3+) nearly quantitatively at room temperature within 3-5 min, and the labelling yield for Ga-68-DOTA-RM2 was approximately 10% under the same conditions. Ga-68-AAZTA(5)-RM2 showed stronger hydrophilicity according to partition coefficient. Although the maximal cellular uptake values of the three compounds were similar, Ga-68-AAZTA(5)-RM2 and Ga-68-DATA(5m)-RM2 peaked more rapidly. Biodistribution studies showed high and specific tumor uptake, with a maximum of 9.12 +/- 0.81 percentage injected activity per gram of tissue (%ID/g) for Ga-68-DATA(5m)-RM2 and 7.82 +/- 0.61%ID/g for Ga-68-AAZTA(5)-RM2 at 30 min after injection.ConclusionsThe conditions for complexation of DATA(5m)-RM2 and AAZTA(5)-RM2 with gallium-68 are milder, faster and require less amount of precursors than DOTA-RM2. Chelators had an evident influence on the pharmacokinetics and targeting properties of Ga-68-X-RM2 derivatives. Positively charged Ga-68-DATA(5m)-RM2 provided a high tumor uptake, high image contrast and good capability of targeting GRPr.