The inverse electron demand Diets-Alder (IEDDA) reaction-initiated ligation between 1,2,4,5-tetra-zines (Tz) and trans-cyclooctenes (TCO) is one of the fastest bioorthogonal reactions known today... Show moreThe inverse electron demand Diets-Alder (IEDDA) reaction-initiated ligation between 1,2,4,5-tetra-zines (Tz) and trans-cyclooctenes (TCO) is one of the fastest bioorthogonal reactions known today and is therefore increasingly used for in vivo click chemistry. Described herein is the synthesis of Tz- and TCO-functionalised polypeptides, polypeptoids and polypeptide-block-polypeptoids (polypept(o) ides) by ring-opening polymerisation of the corresponding N-carboxyanhydrides using Tz- or TCO-functional amine initiators. Despite the reactivity of tetrazines, polymers with low dispersity and high end group integrity can be obtained as observed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Amphiphilic Tz-functionalised block copolypept(o)ides were used to prepare polymeric micelles and organic colloids by miniemulsion techniques, which may find an application as clearing agents in pretargeted nuclear imaging and therapy using efficient in vivo click chemistry. The reaction kinetics of the tetrazine ligation using the synthesised polymers and the accessibility of the Tz groups on the polymeric nanoparticles were evaluated using UV Vis and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), and second-order rate constants were determined by stopped-flow spectrophotometry ensuring quantitative conversions in seconds at sub-millimolar concentrations (10-30 s). Show less
Tumor targeting using agents with slow pharmacokinetics represents a major challenge in nuclear imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy as they most often result in low imaging contrast and high... Show moreTumor targeting using agents with slow pharmacokinetics represents a major challenge in nuclear imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy as they most often result in low imaging contrast and high radiation dose to healthy tissue. To address this challenge, we developed a polymer-based targeting agent that can be used for pretargeted imaging and thus separates tumor accumulation from the imaging step in time. The developed targeting agent is based on polypeptide-graft-polypeptoid polymers (PeptoBrushes) functionalized with trans-cyclooctene (TCO). The complementary In-111-labeled imaging agent is a 1,2,4,5-tetrazine derivative, which can react with aforementioned TCO-modified PeptoBrushes in a rapid bioorthogonal ligation. A high degree of TCO loading (up to 30%) was achieved, without altering the physicochemical properties of the polymeric nanoparticle. The highest degree of TCO loading resulted in significantly increased reaction rates (77-fold enhancement) compared to those with small molecule TCO moieties when using lipophilic tetrazines. Based on computer simulations, we hypothesize that this increase is a result of hydrophobic effects and significant rearrangements within the polymer framework, in which hydrophobic patches of TCO moieties are formed. These patches attract lipophilic tetrazines, leading to increased reaction rates in the bioorthogonal ligation. The most reactive system was evaluated as a targeting agent for pretargeted imaging in tumor-bearing mice. After the setup was optimized, sufficient tumor-to-background ratios were achieved as early as 2 h after administration of the tetrazine imaging agent, which further improved at 22 h, enabling clear visualization of CT-26 tumors. These findings show the potential of PeptoBrushes to be used as a pretargeting agent when an optimized dose of polymer is used. Show less
