Novel 99mTc-labeled neurotensin analogues with optimized biodistribution properties.

Two new 99mTc-labeled neurotensin(8-13) analogues containing the retro-N(alpha)-carboxymethyl-histidine ((N(alpha)His)Ac) chelator were synthesized as potential radiopharmaceuticals for visualization of pancreatic carcinoma. To improve the pharmacokinetic properties, (N(alpha)His)Ac-Arg-NMeArg-Pro-Tyr-Tle-Leu (NT-XII), which is metabolically stabilized at two positions, was further modified. Shikimic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid) was introduced to obtain a more hydrophilic peptide (NT-XVIII), or Tyr11 was replaced by 2,6-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) resulting in a triple-stabilized NT(8-13) analogue (NT-XIX). The latter has the best biodistribution profile.