INDIUM(III) COMPLEXES AS RADIOTHERANOSTIC AGENTS FOR DUAL TARGETING OF BREAST CANCER

Despite the enhancement in the survival rate of breast cancer (BC) patients, there is still a need for more effective and personalized treatments to improve BC management. Radiotheranostics is particularly suitable for that purpose as the estrogen receptor (ER) status acquired by imaging can be used to targeted treatment. Thus, our approach combines into a single ¹¹¹In-hybrid compound, a chelator simultaneously conjugated to an ER ligand (LXXLL peptide) and an antitumor agent (the DNA intercalating agent, acridine orange, AO) for dual targeting of BC cells aiming at the increase of therapeutic efficacy. The ¹¹¹In-ER3AO is able to localize in the nucleus of BC cells and induce DNA damage in vitro. These features, along with a favourable biodistribution profile in tumor bearing mice with fast clearance from main organs and accumulation in target tissues, suggest that this hybrid radioconjugate has potential as theranostic agent.