Abstract
The last decade has seen rapid growth in the use of theranostic radionuclides for the treatment and imaging of a wide range of cancers. Radionuclide therapy and imaging rely on a radiolabeled vector to specifically target cancer cells. Radionuclides that emit β particles have thus far dominated the field of targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT), mainly because the longer range (μm–mm track length) of these particles offsets the heterogeneous expression of the molecular target. Shorter range (nm–μm track length) α- and Auger electron (AE)-emitting radionuclides on the other hand provide high ionization densities at the site of decay which could overcome much of the toxicity associated with β-emitters. Given that there is a growing body of evidence that other sensitive sites besides the DNA, such as the cell membrane and mitochondria, could be critical targets in TRT, improved techniques in detecting the subcellular distribution of these radionuclides are necessary, especially since many β-emitting radionuclides also emit AE. The successful development of TRT agents capable of homing to targets with subcellular precision demands the parallel development of quantitative assays for evaluation of spatial distribution of radionuclides in the nm–μm range. In this review, the status of research directed at subcellular targeting of radionuclide theranostics and the methods for imaging and quantification of radionuclide localization at the nanoscale are described.
Introduction
The capacity of a pharmacon to selectively find its biological target is an important determinant of its usefulness in clinical medicine. Many pharmacologically active substances have intracellular molecular targets that reside in organelles (). Carriers that selectively target these subcellular structures have been investigated extensively, and include micro- or nanoparticulate drug carriers, liposomal formulations, macromolecular drug conjugates, and chemically modified proteins (). One field where subcellular targeting has been relatively unexplored, but has the potential to make a profound impact, is targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT).
Targeted radionuclide therapy is a treatment modality that encompasses the use of radionuclide-conjugated cancer-specific vectors, such as small molecules, peptides, antibodies, and nanoparticles, to selectively deliver radiation to the tumor. TRT compounds are often designed as theranostic agents; so that, when coupled to suitable radionuclides, they can be used for positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A large body of evidence, accumulated over several decades, has established TRT as an effective anticancer strategy (; ; ). Prominent examples include treatments for lymphoma [yttrium-90 (90Y)-ibritumomab tiuxetan], neuroblastoma [iodine-131 (131I)-MIBG], and prostate cancer [radium-223 dichloride (223RaCl2)] (; ). The success of the NETTER-1 trial with lutetium-177 (177Lu)-DOTATATE in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumors (), and the promising results of 177Lu-prostate specific-membrane antigen (177Lu-PSMA) ligand treatments in patients with prostate cancer (von Eyben et al., 2018) have given this field further positive momentum. However, challenges remain, including heterogeneous expression of molecular targets relevant to TRT, sub-optimal tumor delivery or penetration, and radioresistance. The latter characteristic means that for many solid tumors a five- to 10-fold higher radiation absorbed dose must be achieved for tumor eradication compared to hematological malignancies (). Several strategies have been tested to increase the anticancer efficacy of TRT. One option is to design radiopharmaceuticals that specifically target radiosensitive organelles to increase the probability of cell kill (). Typically, radionuclides that emit short-range Auger electrons (AEs) are used in this context due to their highly localized dose-deposition. It is notable that the decay of several widely-used β-emitting therapeutic radionuclides includes a substantial AE contribution, thus generating both local and distant radiotoxic effects due to AE and β-electrons, respectively (). Subcellular targeting of these radionuclides may be advantageous since the AE cause local damage to the targeted compartment. Even for high energy, short range α-emitters, the effects of subcellular localization may influence the cytotoxicity of short-range daughter products. Therefore, a better understanding of the subcellular distribution of radionuclides may lead to optimization of TRT. Over the past decade, several strategies for subcellular delivery have been tested, including nuclear, mitochondrial, cell membrane, and lysosomal delivery. This review is focused on the relationship between the track path-length of radionuclide emissions, subcellular targeting, and radiation-induced cell kill. To understand the importance of subcellular targeting in TRT, basic radiobiological concepts will be reviewed. The methods used to investigate the subcellular distribution of radionuclides are considered and the results of pre-clinical and clinical studies aimed at exploring organelle-directed TRT are evaluated.
Radiobiology of Targeted Radionuclide Therapy
Radionuclide Properties
Radionuclides are unstable atomic nuclei that release energy by emission of particulate radiation in the form of α-particles, β-particles, or AE, and by electromagnetic radiation in the form of X- or γ-rays. Their action is described by their linear energy transfer (LET), which is the amount of energy that an ionizing particle deposits in matter per unit distance. Radionuclides are used extensively for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in cancer treatment. β electron-emitting radionuclides, also known as β-emitters, have historically been the most commonly used class of radionuclides in the therapeutic setting. β-emitters release electrons of mean energy ranging from about 0.2–1.0 MeV, resulting in a long track path-length with a continuous-slowing-down-approximation (CSDA) range in water of up to 12 mm. As a consequence, the LET of β-emitters is low (<1 keV/μm; ). With the clinical development of 223RaCl2 over the last decade, α-emitters are now being studied intensively for various applications. α-emitters decay by releasing helium nuclei, known as α-particles, with energy ranging from 5 to 9 MeV over an intermediate track path-length in water (50–100 μm), resulting in high LET to exposed cells (50–230 keV/μm; ). AEs, which are of particular interest in the context of subcellular targeting, are ejected from electron shells following a process called internal atomic ionization. This process is a result of nuclear decay modes that interact strongly with atomic shells, such as electron capture or internal conversion. Most AEs have a low energy (<5 keV) and very limited tissue penetration depth (< 1 μm), leading to a high LET (4–26 keV/μm; ). It is important to note that most radionuclides emit multiple types of radiation. For example, 177Lu, which is used in the treatment of somatostatin receptor positive tumors (177Lu-DOTATATE) and in the prostate cancer-targeting agent, 177Lu-PSMA, decays by emission of both β-electrons and AE (). Furthermore, photons emitted during the decay can be detected by SPECT, which makes it a suitable radionuclide for combined therapy and diagnosis (). Table 1 summarizes the decay properties of several radionuclides that have been used or considered for diagnostics and therapy in the clinic (; ).
Table 1
| Per decay | 67Cu(β) | 67Ga(A) | 99mTc(A) | 111In(A) | 123I∗(A) | 153Sm(β) | 161Tb(β) | 177Lu(β) | 211At(α) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half- life (days); Decay mode | 2.58; β- | 3.26; ECf | 0.25; ITg β- | 2.80; EC | 0.55; EC | 1.93; β- | 6.89; β- | 6.65; β- | 0.30; EC α |
| Yield of AEa and CKb e- | 0.56 | 4.96 | 4.41 | 7.43 | 13.7 | 6.58 | 11.0 | 1.12 | 6.53 |
| Yield of IEc e- | 0.15 | 0.34 | 1.10 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.81 | 1.42 | 0.15 | 3.85E-04 |
| Yield of X-rays | 0.78 | 6.87 | 5.58 | 9.50 | 15.8 | 8.30 | 13.0 | 1.37 | 7.73 |
| Yield of γ rays | 0.73 | 0.87 | 0.89 | 1.85 | 0.86 | 0.37 | 0.53 | 0.18 | 1.38E-02 |
| Yield of β+ or β- | 1.00 | – | 3.70E-05 | – | – | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | – |
| Yield of α | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1.00 |
| Yield of α recoils | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1.00 |
| Total γ- and X-ray energy (keV/nt) | 115 | 160 | 127 | 386 | 173 | 64.3 | 36.5 | 35.1 | 44.8 |
| Total β+ or β- energy (keV/nt) | 136 | – | 4.20E-03 | – | – | 224 | 154 | 133 | – |
| Total IE e- energy (keV/nt) | 13.7 | 29.7 | 15.2 | 27.9 | 21.0 | 40.3 | 39.3 | 13.5 | 0.27 |
| Total AE and CK energy (keV/nt) | 0.75 | 6.64 | 0.94 | 6.88 | 7.23 | 6.02 | 8.94 | 1.13 | 5.86 |
| Total α energy (keV/nt) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6.78E+03 |
| Total α recoil energy (keV/nt) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 131 |
| Total energy released (keV/nt) | 266 | 196 | 1.43 | 441 | 201 | 334 | 239 | 183 | 6.96E+03 |
| (p/e)d ratio | 0.76 | 4.50 | 7.90 | 11.1 | 6.10 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 0.24 | 6.48E-03 |
Decay properties of several radionuclides used in diagnostics and therapy.
Yield is the number of radiative species released per decay (/nt). Source: . Adapted and reproduced with permission from the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Copyright: Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
A: SPECT; B: PET; ∗123I decays to 123Te and 123mTe, with half-lives too long to play a role in TRT. ˆ211At decays to 211Po (T1/2 = 0.516 s) and 207Bi (T1/2 = 31.55 y), radiation from the latter is excluded due to its long half-life.
aAuger electron; bCoster–Kronig electron; cinternal conversion electron; dratio of penetrating to non-penetrating ionizing radiation; especific activity; felectron capture; gisomeric transition.
To illustrate how the different ranges of these particles translate to successful subcellular targeting, the associated absorbed dose per cumulated activity for different radionuclides are compared in Figure 1. Most of the energy associated with AE is deposited over a distance < 1 μm from the point of decay. Examples include gallium-67 (67Ga), technetium-99m (99mTc), indium-111 (111In), and iodine-123 (123I) (Figure 1A). A sinusoidal energy-deposition profile is seen for all AE-emitting radionuclides in the first 10 μm from the point of decay. A similar profile, albeit less pronounced, is also present for β-emitters, i.e., copper-67 (67Cu), samarium-153 (153Sm), terbium-161 (161Tb), and 177Lu, as they also emit AE. When considering the absorbed dose received by targeted organelles within a cell, it can be seen from Figures 1B–D that AE-emitters are significantly more effective than β-emitters 67Cu and 177Lu for organelles such as the mitochondria. It is noteworthy that the β-emitting radionuclide 161Tb deposits a higher dose over the distance considered than the other β-electron-emitting radionuclides, which is partly due to release of AE in the decay cascade. β-emitters, on the other hand, deposit a greater absorbed dose than AE-emitters when the target volume is larger than an average cell (∼20 μm in diameter). α-emitters, such as astatine-211 (211At), deliver the highest dose within the range considered. At dimensions larger than a standard cell diameter (20 μm), 211At dose is at least two orders of magnitude higher than β- and AE-emitters.
FIGURE 1
Radiobiological Implications of Radionuclide Therapy
As a result of their low LET and long track-length, β-electrons cause sparse ionizations over tens to hundreds of cell diameters. The range of β-electrons means that a vector carrying radionuclides of this type may not need to reach each and every tumor cell to achieve the desired anti-tumor effect as non-targeted cells may be damaged through the “crossfire effect” (
Besides targeted radiation effects, TRT can also induce non-targeted effects, which have been hypothesized to result from the production of various apoptotic factors, cytokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is known as the “bystander effect,” causing perturbations in unirradiated cells which are close to irradiated cells. The bystander response is observed for both high-LET (α-particles and AE) and low-LET (β-electrons) radiation (
Methods to Detect the Spatial Distribution of Radionuclides
To evaluate the potential efficacy of a novel radionuclide therapeutic, it is essential to obtain information about the spatial distribution and radiation dose deposition in relevant tissues and cells. One of the major advantages of TRT is the ability to visualize drug distribution and tumor targeting in patients by means of PET or SPECT. Isotopes such as 99mTc, 111In, and 123I were initially used for diagnostic purposes due to the emission of γ-rays, and only later considered as potential therapeutics as a result of the AE-emitting effects (
Table 2
| Methods | Radionuclides | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractionation assay | γ-emitters | Quantitative | Disruptive |
| Ease of use | No spatial information | ||
| Required time (2–3 days) | Does not take population variation into account | ||
| EM-MAR | AE-emitters | High spatial resolution | Fixed cells |
| Semi-quantitative | High rate and ease of artifact production | ||
| Non-linear signal due to silver bromide crystal saturation | |||
| Required time (1.5–3 weeks) | |||
| Specialist handling required | |||
| PAR | AE-emitters | High spatial resolution (∼10 nm) | Fixed cells |
| Semi-quantitative | Lithography process can lead to over-development | ||
| NanoSIMS | All isotopes | High spatial resolution | Fixed cells |
| Quantitative | Sample preparation | ||
| Suitable for stable and radioisotopes | Cost | ||
| Specialist handling required | |||
| Radioluminescence | β- and positron-emitters | Potential of live cell imaging | Low throughput (∼100 cells/acquisition) |
| Moderate spatial resolution | Long acquisition times (15–30 min) | ||
| Highly sensitive (<1 attomole) | |||
| Quantitative | |||
| α-camera | α-emitters | Quantitative | Low resolution (∼35 μm) |
| Requires collimation | |||
| Timepix | α-, β-, γ-, and muon-emitters | Quantitative | Low resolution (∼77 μm) |
| Suitable for a variety of radionuclides | |||
Advantages and disadvantages of subcellular localization techniques for radionuclide therapy.
Fractionation Assays
One of the most commonly employed methods to determine the localization of radionuclides on a subcellular level is the use of fractionation protocols for isolation of subcellular components. A gamma-counter is then used to detect and quantify the amount of radioactivity associated with each fraction. Cells may be disrupted by osmotic shock, ultrasonic vibration, lyzed in a blender, or extruded through a fine needle. These procedures are detrimental to cell membrane integrity, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plasma membrane, but leave important organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and lysosomes largely intact. Organelles each have a distinctive size, charge, and density, and the homogenate can therefore be separated by centrifugation steps in different buffers (
Microautoradiography
Microautoradiography is a technique that involves the use of X-ray films, beta imaging systems, phosphor imaging plates, or a photo-nuclear emulsion to detect radiolabeled molecules. It can be used to visualize and quantitatively resolve compounds in tissue, cells, and subcellular organelles (
Electron Microscopy – Microautoradiography
EM-MAR is a technique that was reported soon after the development of the electron microscope by
FIGURE 2

Electron microscopy – microautoradiography of radionuclides in subcellular compartments. EM-MAR images of hypoglossal motoneurons treated with 125I-labeled retrogradely transported trophic factors. The location of the radionuclide is revealed by the formation of silver grains. (A)125I-labeled glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a light endosome (arrow). (B)125I-labeled brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a dense endosome (arrow). (C)125I-labeled CT-1 in a lysosome (arrow). (D)125I-labeled GDNF in a heavily labeled multivesicular body (MVB). (E)125I-labeled GDNF in the endoplasmic reticulum. (F)125I-labeled GDNF in the Golgi apparatus with Golgi (G)-associated vesicles (arrows). Scale bars represent 500 nm. Source:
Photoresist Autoradiography
Recently we have developed an autoradiographic technique, PAR (
FIGURE 3

The photoresist autoradiography method. (A) Electron beam calibration: (i) 5×5 μm2 patterns of varying fluence incident on the PMMA substrate (the laser reflecting off the AFM probe is shown). (ii) AFM image of 5 μm × 5 μm electron beam feature. (iii) Line scan relating depth to electron fluence. (B) Model system consisting of 111In-DTPA radiolabeled microspheres: (i) optical image showing the close packing of the microspheres on the PMMA surface, (ii) AFM contour through image of a radiolabeled microsphere pattern, and (iii) 3-D generated profile of the AFM feature. (C) Resist exposed to radionuclide treated cells and isolated cell nuclei, followed by removal of biological material and chemical development of the resist and AFM analysis of the pattern. (D) Demonstration of PAR with 111In-DTPA-hEGF treated cells: (i) optical image of radionuclide treated SQ20B (head and neck squamous carcinoma) cells, (ii) AFM image of an 111In-DTPA-hEGF treated cell pattern, and (iii) 3-D generated plot of an AFM image of a cell nucleus relating local pattern depth to local fluence based on electron beam calibration.
Nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) is a recent development in SIMS technology that is used to image the spatial distribution of elements, such as radionuclides, in biological and non-biological samples. NanoSIMS combines the simultaneous detection of heavy and light elements with an excellent spatial resolution (50 nm; Wedlock et al., 2013). A detailed description of the technique is given by others (
Radioluminescence Microscopy
Radioluminescence microscopy is a recently developed technique that can provide quantitative measurements of β-emitting radionuclide transport on the level of a single live cell (Figure 4;
FIGURE 4

Radioluminescence microscopy. (A) Emission of an intracellular radionuclide can be detected as radioluminescence with a scintillator plate (yellow glow). The optical photons are captured by a high-numerical-aperture objective coupled to a deep-cooled EM-CCD camera. Concurrent fluorescence and brightfield microscopy are enabled by emission and excitation filters used in combination with a light source. (B) An in culture medium immersed scintillator plate in a glass-bottom dish is placed into the inverted microscope. (C) Three GFP-expressing HeLa cells were imaged using fluorescence microscopy. (D) After incubation with 18F-FDG the focal radioluminescence signal coincided with the fluorescent signal. (E) An example of radioluminescence microscopy. MDA-MB-231 cells were incubated for 1 h with 18F-FDG and the fluorescent 2-NBDG. Brightfield image (scale bar, 100 μm), radioluminescence (FDG), and fluorescence (2-NBDG) micrographs. The overlay shows co-localized radioluminescence (green) and fluorescence (red). Source:
Microdosimeters
The α-camera, first described by
Another microdosimeter, Timepix, takes advantage of recent developments in complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology for constructing integrated circuits (
Combining Methods
The radiographic and fractionation techniques described above can provide valuable insights into the subcellular distribution of radionuclides in their own right but additional information may be gained when they are applied in combination. For example, the spatial pattern of radionuclide deposition within cells that is derived from EM-MAR can be combined with radioactivity measurements from fractionation assays to allow the investigator to generate a precise, quantitative map of radionuclide distribution. Another option is to combine a radioactivity-detection assay with a non-radioactive assay, such as confocal microscopy or NanoSIMS (
Subcellular Targets for Radionuclide Therapy
Nucleus
Particulate ionizing radiation can damage biomolecules via one-electron oxidation reactions, the “direct effect,” or via the production of ROS, including superoxide radicals (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), that form the precursors of damaging hydroxyl radicals (·OH), the “indirect effect” (
FIGURE 5

Subcellular targets of Auger electron-emitting theranostic radionuclides. Strategies to reach intracellular targets can broadly be categorized into radioligands that diffuse through the cell membrane by passive/active transport (1) or bind to cell membrane receptors. Membrane receptor-radioligand complexes can be internalized via endocytic pathways (2) or remain surface-bound (3), damaging the cell membrane via hydroxyl radical formation (see text for further explanation). Endocytosed radioligand-receptor can continue to damage endosomes (4), and certain radioligands have the potential to escape endosomal entrapment (5). Cytosolic radioligands can have various fates and targets. Approaches have utilized radioligands that can bind nuclear proteins, such as γH2AX or telomerase (6), or that can directly interact with the DNA (7). Some radioligand strategies involve targeting SSR (8), which can traffic to the nucleus of the cancer cell to exert damage. A more recently explored fate is mitochondrial targeting (9), which can lead to mitochondrial DNA damage and the generation of oxidative stress, resulting in mitochondrial-induced apoptosis. Endosomal escape can also occur for receptor-radioligand complexes, which can travel to the nucleus, as has been found with targeting of the EGFR family (10). Most complexes are unable to escape the endosome and will be sorted out of the cell via large endosomal/lysosomal vesicles. While being processed, radionuclides can continue to do damage endosomal vesicles, and irradiate genomic DNA in case of long track-path radionuclides emitters, such as 177Lu-/225Ac-PSMA or 177Lu-DOTATATE) (11).
Table 3
| Target | Radiolabeled pharmacon | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleus – DNA | 125I-UDR | |
| 125I- and 99mTc-labeled acridine orange derivatives | ||
| 99mTc-labeled pyrene derivates | ||
| 99mTc-labeled doxorubicin | ||
| 125I-labeled daunarubicin in HER2-targeted liposomes | ||
| 99mTc-labeled DAPI | ||
| 125I- and 111In-labeled TFOs | ||
| Nucleus – nuclear proteins | 111In-labeled anti-γH2AX antibody | |
| 123I-MST-312 | Waghorn et al., 2017 | |
| Nucleus – SSRs | 123I-labeled estrogen analogs | |
| 123I-, 125I-, and 131I-labeled diethylstilbestrol | ||
| 111In-labeled LXXLL-based peptide | Vultos et al., 2017 | |
| 125I-IVME2 | Yasui et al., 2001 | |
| 5-125I-3’-O-(17β-succinyl-5α-androstan-3-one)-2’-deoxyuridine monophosphate | ||
| Nucleus – trafficking cell surface receptors | 111In-labeled nimotuzumab | |
| 111In-labeled hEGF | ||
| 67Ga-,111In- and 125I-labeled MNT targeting EGFR, folate or melanocortin receptor | ||
| 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody 425 | ||
| 111In-trastuzumab | ||
| Methotrexate-loaded BCM conjugated to 111In, an NLS, and trastuzumab Fab fragments | ||
| 131I-labeled anti-HER2 nanobody | ||
| 125I-,131I-labeled anti-HER2 nanobody | ||
| 177I-labeled anti-HER2 nanobody | ||
| Mitochondria | 177Lu-porphyrin-PEG nanocomplexes | Yu et al., 2018 |
| 99mTc-HMPAO (speculative) | ||
| Cell membrane | 125I-labeled anti-CEA monoclonal antibody | |
| Endosomes | 177Lu-PSMA-617 | |
| 225Ac-PSMA-617 | ||
| 225Ac-PSMA lipid vesicles | Zhu et al., 2016 | |
| 211At-YC-I-27 | ||
| 125I-DCIBzL | ||
| 177Lu-DOTATATE | ||
Examples of radiopharmaceuticals that target subcellular compartments.
DNA-Binding Agents
Small molecules are able to bind DNA by a range of covalent and non-covalent binding modes and represent one of the most heavily studied class of anti-cancer agents. In addition, many function as fluorescent DNA dyes, and so provide a convenient means of obtaining intracellular localization information. The effect of AE-emitters on cell survival was first studied with molecules that can be incorporated in to the DNA, such as 125I-UDR. These studies provided valuable knowledge that illuminated the inverse relationship between AE-emitter distance to the DNA and DNA damage and cell kill (
Nuclear Protein Targeting Agents
The nucleus not only contains DNA, but also harbors many proteins that are essential for genome expression and integrity (
Sex Steroid Receptor Targeting Agents
Sex steroid receptors are a subclass of steroid hormone receptors that bind androgens, estrogens, and progestogens. SSRs play a pivotal role in the development and progression of malignancies, such as prostate cancer [androgen receptor (AR;
Trafficking Cell Surface Receptor Targeting Agents
Another approach to DNA targeting is to use the nuclear trafficking properties of cell surface receptors. Although not a dominant internalization pathway, several cell surface receptors translocate to the nucleus upon ligand binding where they can act as transcription factors. Of particular interest are members of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family that contain NLS in the transmembrane region. Researchers, in particular the Reilly group, have exploited this concept for the nuclear targeting of AE-emitters (
A second member of the EGFR family, human EGF receptor 2 (HER2), has also been explored as a radio-theranostic target. HER2 is internalized relatively slowly and transported to the nucleus upon binding of ligands such as trastuzumab due to its NLS (KRRQQKIRKYTMRR;
Mitochondria
Although the current paradigm in radiobiology posits that nuclear DNA is the primary target for ionizing radiation, recent studies provide evidence that extranuclear radiation can have detrimental effects on cell viability as well. The mitochondria have emerged as an interesting but relatively understudied extranuclear target. Circular mitochondrial DNA, like genomic DNA, is sensitive to the ionizing radiation-induced damage. Besides this, some investigators have suggested that ionizing radiation can alter mitochondrial function, induce mitochondrial oxidative stress, and cause mitochondrial-induced apoptosis (
Cell Membrane
Ionizing radiation has detrimental effects on the cell membrane. Hydroxyl radical molecules that are formed as a result of irradiation can attack polyunsaturated fatty acid residues of phospholipids that constitute the cell membrane, leading to the formation of mutagenic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal. Furthermore, ionizing radiation is known to activate acid sphingomyelinase, which hydrolyses cell membrane sphingomyelin to produce phosphoryl choline and ceramide. Ceramide is a second messenger for cell apoptosis, and essential for the formation of lipid rafts, which are ceramide-enriched platforms that contain signaling and transport proteins involved in MAPK signaling and sustained ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production (
Endosomes and Lysosomes
The targeting of receptor-mediated endocytosis with vectors directed against cell membrane receptors is a strategy that is often used in TRT. Binding of an agonist to its receptor can lead to clathrin-mediated internalization via the formation of plasma membrane vesicles. These vesicles typically fuse into early endosomes, and are subsequently sorted to be recycled, degraded via lysosomes, or modified more specifically in the trans Golgi network (TGN;
Two extensively researched TRT targets, PSMA and the somatostatin receptor, exploit this concept. PSMA is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer. Various radiolabeled PSMA-binding peptides and antibodies have been developed for diagnosis and treatment and have been shown to internalize upon receptor association. Targeting PSMA with 177Lu-labeled ligands has been particularly successful in the clinic (
The somatostatin receptor family is upregulated in neuroendocrine tumors and has been evaluated as a target for TRT for over 25 years. As for PMSA, the receptor–ligand complex internalizes upon binding, allowing the payload to irradiate from inside vesicles and lysosomes. The best characterized compound is 177Lu-DOTATATE, which has recently shown an impressive increase in progression-free survival and at 20 months in patients with mid-gut neuroendocrine tumors in a phase III clinical trial (65.2% in the 177Lu-DOTATATE group versus 10.8% in the control group;
Although DNA is viewed as the primary target for the radiotoxic effects of TRT that bind surface receptor ligands, their internalization can have effects on other structures, including components of the endocytic pathway. Lysosomes are membrane-bound round-spherical vesicles containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down a variety of molecules. As for the cell membrane, the phospholipid layer separating the lysosome content from the cytosol is sensitive to attacks from reactive hydroxyl radicals. Since the majority of intracellular redox-active iron resides in lysosomes, H2O2 formation may result in labile lysosomes that release lytic enzymes and low mass iron, which can contribute to apoptotic/necrotic death upon prolonged exposure (
Concluding Remarks
A discussion about subcellular targeting for therapeutic advantage would not be complete without a consideration of the potential risks associated with unintentional and non-specific accumulation in normal tissue (
In the past 10 years, the clinical value of TRT has been demonstrated for the treatment of various cancer indications, resulting in a 38% increase in their use in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2012 (
In this review, we have described the importance of adequate subcellular targeting, and how novel radiopharmaceuticals can be characterized according to their distribution in subcellular compartments. In reality, many drugs will home to several different organelles, complicating the analysis of which are the critical targets. The development of novel subcellular TRT goes hand-in-hand with improvements in techniques to image and determine their exact cellular localization and mechanism of action. The techniques highlighted here provide a good indication of the variation in radionuclide distribution but lack the option to image and measure the localization and effects in live cells with high spatial resolution. Efforts aimed to address this could have far reaching effects for the maturation of the field of targeted subcellular radionuclide therapy.
Statements
Author contributions
BB, BL, MG, NF, and KV contributed to the ideas and structure of the paper. BB and MG wrote the introduction. BB, BL, and NF developed the radiobiology and methods of detection section. BB and MG wrote the subcellular targets for radionuclide therapy section. BB and NF wrote the conclusion. BL and NF performed the simulations. KV supervised the project, developed ideas, and edited the final manuscript. All authors discussed the paper and contributed to the final manuscript.
Funding
This work was supported by grants from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) (C5255/A15935), the Medical Research Council (MRC) (MC_PC_12004), the EPSRC Oxford Centre for Drug Delivery Devices (EP/L024012/1), and the CRUK Oxford Centre.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Summary
Keywords
subcellular targeting, radioimmunotherapy, targeted radionuclide therapy, radiopharmaceuticals, cancer, dosimetry
Citation
Bavelaar BM, Lee BQ, Gill MR, Falzone N and Vallis KA (2018) Subcellular Targeting of Theranostic Radionuclides. Front. Pharmacol. 9:996. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00996
Received
28 June 2018
Accepted
13 August 2018
Published
04 September 2018
Volume
9 - 2018
Edited by
Alexander S. Sobolev, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
Reviewed by
Anupama Datta, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India; Michael Rod Zalutsky, Duke University, United States
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Copyright
© 2018 Bavelaar, Lee, Gill, Falzone and Vallis.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Katherine A. Vallis, katherine.vallis@oncology.ox.ac.uk
This article was submitted to Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology
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