Radiolabeled albumin through S(N)Ar of cysteines as a potential pretargeting theranostic agent

Human serum albumin (HSA) has been shown to be a promising tumor targeting vector and target for generating theranostics by bioconjugation. Unstable chemical conjugation to HSA via a cysteine (Cys34) by reversible Michael additions is most commonly applied for this purpose. Herein, we describe utilization of our recently developed site-selective irreversible S(N)Ar conjugation to Cys34 using perfluorobenzene sulfonyl derivatives to introduce a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) handle. The TCO could then be bioorthogonally ligated within minutes through an inverse-electron demand Diels–Alder reaction (IEDDA) to tetrazines (Tzs) containing a radionuclide. The methodology opens up a wide range of chemistries including pretargeting, ‘click-to-release’ tumor selective drug delivery or ultra-fast and complete conjugation of any drug. The proof-of-principle study demonstrated that the conjugation chemistry is feasible, robust and easy to carry out, being promising for pretargeted imaging and therapy studies as well as selective drug delivery using HSA.