[0001] The present invention relates to somatostatin peptides, a process for their production
and pharmaceutical preparations containing them.
[0002] Somatostatin is a tetradecapeptide having the structure:

[0003] Since the isolation and characterisation of somatostatin, an extensive search for
more potent and more stable analogues has continued.
[0004] WO-A-9500553, WO-A-9400489, EP-A-0029310 and EP-A-0389180 disclose cyclic somatostatin
peptides which do not comprise the amino acid sequence characterizing the compounds
of the present invention. EP-A-0 395 417 describes linear octapeptides which do not
comprise the amino acid sequence of the present invention.
[0005] More particularly the present invention provides a cyclic somatostatin hexapeptide
comprising a hexapeptide unit numbered from 1 to 6, the residues at positions 3 through
6 of said hexapeptide having the amino acid sequence of formula (I)
-(D/L)Trp-Lys-X
1-X
2- (I)
wherein X
1 is a radical of formula (a) or (b)

or
wherein R1 is optionally substituted phenyl, wherein the substituent can be halogen, methyl,
ethyl, methoxy or ethoxy,
R2 is -Z1-CH2-R1, -CH2-CO-O-CH2-R1,
wherein Z1 is O or S,
and
X2 is an α-amino acid having an aromatic residue on the Cg side chain, or an amino acid unit selected from Dab, Dpr, Dpm, His, (Bzl)HyPro, thienyl-Ala,
cyclohexyl-Ala and t.-butyl-Ala.
[0006] Particularly preferred is a somatostatin cyclic hexapeptide wherein the residues
at positions 1 and 2 of the hexapeptide unit may be any of those as known in the art,
e.g. as disclosed by A.S. Dutta in Small Peptides, Vol.19, 292-354, Elsevier, 1993,
as substituents for, Phe
6 and/or Phe
7 of somatostatin-14.
[0007] More particularly there is provided a somatostatin analogue in which the hexapeptide
unit is cyclic and having a direct peptide linkage between the α-carbonyl group of
the residue at position 6 and the α-amino group of the residue at position 1.
[0008] While Lys, X
1 and X
2 in the sequence of formula I have the L-configuration, Trp may have the D- or L-configuration.
Preferably Trp has the D-configuration.
[0009] X
1 is a residue of formula (a) or (b), R
2 being preferably
-Z
1-CH
2-R
1
or

[0010] When X
2 comprises an aromatic residue on the C
α side chain, it may suitably be a natural or unnatural α-amino acid, e.g. Phe, Tyr,
Trp, Nal, Pal, benzothienyl-Ala, Tic and thyronin, preferably Phe or Nal, more preferably
Phe. X
2 is preferably an α-amino acid bearing an aromatic residue on the C
α side chain.
[0011] When R
1 is substituted phenyl, it may suitably be substituted by halogen, methyl, ethyl,
methoxy or ethoxy e.g. in ortho and/or para. More preferably R
1 is unsubstituted phenyl.
[0012] Z
1 is preferably O.
[0013] Representative COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are e.g a compound of formula (II)

wherein
X1 and X2 are as defined above,
A is a divalent residue selected from Pro,




wherein R3 is NR8R9-C2-6alkylene, guanidino-C2-6alkylene or C2-6alkylene-COOH, R3a is H, C1-4alkyl or has independently one of the significances given for R3 R3b is H or C1-4alkyl, Ra is OH or NR5R6, Rb is -(CH2)1-3- or -CH(CH3)-, R4 is H or CH3, R4a is optionally ring-substituted benzyl, each of R5 and R6 independently is H, C1-4alkyl, ω-amino-C1-4alkylene, ω-hydroxy-C1-4alkylene or acyl, R7 is a direct bond or C1-6alkylene, each of R8 and R9 independently is H, C1-4alkyl, ω-hydroxy-C2-4alkylene, acyl or CH2OH-(CHOH)c-CH2- wherein c is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, or R8 and R9 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached a heterocyclic group
which may comprise a further heteroatom, and R11 is optionally ring-substituted benzyl,-(CH2)1-3-OH, CH3-CH(OH)- or -(CH2)1-5-NR5R6, and
ZZa is a natural or unnatural α-amino acid unit.
[0014] ZZ
a may have the D- or L-configuration. When ZZ
a is a natural or unnatural α-amino acid unit, it may suitably be e.g. Thr, Ser, Ala,
Val, Ile, Leu, Nle, His, Arg, Lys, Nal, Pal, Tyr, Trp, optionally ring-substituted
Phe or N
α-benzyl-Gly. When ZZ
a is Phe, the benzene ring thereof may be substituted by e.g. NH
2, NO
2, CH
3, OCH
3 or halogen, preferably in para position. When ZZ
a is Phe, the benzene ring thereof is preferably unsubstituted.
[0015] When A comprises a Pro amino acid residue, any substituent present on the proline
ring, e.g. R
3-NH-CO-O- etc., is preferably in position 4. Such substituted proline residue may
exist in the cis form, e.g.

as well as in the trans form. The present invention covers each geometric isomer
individually as well as mixtures thereof.
[0016] When A is

where NR
8R
9 forms a heterocyclic group, such group may be aromatic or saturated and may comprise
one nitrogen or one nitrogen and a second heteroatom selected from nitrogen and oxygen.
Preferably the heterocyclic group is e.g. pyridyl or morpholino. C
2-6Alkylene in this residue is preferably -CH
2-CH
2-.
[0017] Any acyl as R
5, R
6, R
8 and R
9 in A may be e.g. R
12CO- wherein R
12 is H, C
1-4alkyl, C
2-4alkenyl, C
3-6cycloalkyl or benzyl, preferably methyl or ethyl. When R
4a or R
11 in A is ring-substituted benzyl, the benzene ring may be substituted as indicated
above for ZZ
a.
[0018] A preferred group of COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION is e.g compounds of formula II wherein
A is free of a lateral -NH-CO-O- moiety. A further group of preferred COMPOUNDS OF
THE INVENTION is e.g. compounds of formula II wherein A comprises a basic lateral
radical, e.g. a R
3-NH-CO-O- or

moiety.
[0019] A still further group of preferred COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION is the group of compounds
wherein the N-terminal amino acid comprises a substituted Pro, particularly 4-substituted
Pro, e.g. compounds of formula II wherein A is 4-substituted Pro.
[0020] Preferably A is 4-(R
3-NH-CO-O)Pro.
[0021] Further representative COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are such compounds comprising an
amino group bearing a chelating group, particularly a compound of formula II wherein
A comprises a side chain amino group which bears a chelating group, in free form,
in salt form or complexed with a detectable element. These compounds are referred
hereinto as chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION.
[0022] Suitable chelating groups are physiologically acceptable chelating groups capable
of complexing a detectable element. Preferably the chelating group has a substantially
hydrophilic character.
Examples of chelating groups include e.g. those derived from polyaminopolycarboxylic
acids or anhydrides, e.g. those derived from non cyclic ligands e.g. ethylene diaminetetraacetic
acid (EDTA), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylene glycol-0,0'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic
acid (EGTA),
N,N'-bis(hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (HBED) and triethylenetetramine
hexaacetic acid (TTHA), those derived from substituted EDTA or DTPA, e.g. p-isothiocyanato-benzyl-EDTA
or -DTPA, those derived from macrocyclic ligands, e.g. 1,4,7,10-tetra-azacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic
acid (DOTA) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (TETA),
or 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclotridecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (TITRA).
[0023] The chelating group may be attached either directly or through a spacer to the amino
group of the COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION. Suitable spacers include those known in the
art, e.g. as disclosed in GB-A-2,225,579, for example the divalent residue of an aminocarboxylic
acid, for example β-Ala or a divalent residue derived from 6-amino-caproic acid.
[0024] Preferred chelating groups are those derived from DTPA, DOTA, TETA or substituted
EDTA or DTPA. Chelating groups derived from DTPA or DOTA are most preferred.
[0025] By detectable element is meant any element, preferably a metal ion which exhibits
a property detectable in therapeutic or
in vivo diagnostic techniques, e.g. a metal ion which emits a detectable radiation or a metal
ion which is capable of influencing NMR relaxation properties.
[0026] Suitable detectable metal ions include for example heavy elements or rare earth ions,
e.g. as used in CAT scanning (Computer axial tomography), paramagnetic ions, e.g.
Gd
3+, Fe
3+, Mn
2+ and Cr
2+, fluorescent metal ions, e.g. Eu
3+, and radionuclides, e.g. a radiolanthanide, particularly γ-emitting radionuclides,
β-emitting radionuclides, α-emitting radionuclides, Auger-e
--emitting radionuclides, positron-emitting radionuclides e.g.
68Ga.
[0027] Suitable γ-emitting radionuclides include those which are useful in diagnostic techniques.
The γ-emitting radionuclides advantageously have a half-life of from 1 hour to 40
days, preferably from 5 hours to 4 days, more preferably from 12 hours to 3 days.
Examples are radionuclides derived from Gallium, Indium, Technetium, Ytterbium, Rhenium,
Terbium, Thallium and Samarium e.g.
67Ga,
111In,
99mTc,
161Tb,
169Yb and
186Re.
[0028] Suitable β-emitting radionuclides include those which are useful in therapeutic applications,
for example
90Y,
67Cu,
186Re,
188Re,
169Er,
121Sn,
127Te,
143Pr,
198Au,
109Pd,
165Dy,
32P,
142Pr and
156Sm.
[0029] Suitable α-emitting radionuclides are those which are used in therapeutic treatments,
e.g.
211At,
212Bi or
201Tl.
[0030] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION may exist e.g. in free or salt form. Salts include
acid addition salts with e.g. organic acids, polymeric acids or inorganic acids, for
example hydrochlorides and acetates and salt forms obtainable with the carboxylic
acid groups when present e.g in the chelating group, e.g. alkali metal salts such
as sodium or potassium, or substituted or unsubstituted ammonium salts.
[0031] The present invention also includes a process for the production of the COMPOUNDS
OF THE INVENTION. They may be produced by analogy to known methods.
[0032] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION may be produced for example as follows:
a) removing at least one protecting group which is present in a somatostatin peptide
comprising a residue of formula I, the somatostatin peptide being in protected form,
or
b) linking together by an amide bond two peptide units, each of them containing at
least one amino acid in protected or unprotected form, wherein the amide bond is in
such a way that the desired amino acid sequence is obtained and, where required, effecting
process step a), or
c) removing a functional group of an unprotected or a protected somatostatin peptide
or converting it into another functional group so that another unprotected or protected
peptide is obtained and in the latter case stage a) of the process is effected, or
d) to produce a chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION linking together a chelating agent
and a non-chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION in protected or unprotected form and
comprising a free amino group in such a way that the chelating group is fixed on the
desired amino group of the COMPOUND, and stage a) is then optionally effected
and recovering the COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION thus obtained in free form, in salt
form or optionally complexed with a detectable element.
[0033] Process step b) leads to the preparation of a linear peptide but includes also the
cyclisation by an amide bond of a linear peptide to give a cyclic peptide having the
desired amino acid sequence. If desired, the lateral chain present in A may be introduced
on the amino acid prior to the peptide coupling step b) or on the final linear or
cyclic peptide according to step c). Thus, in the latter case, a compound of formula
II wherein A is hydroxy-Pro may be converted to provide a compound of formula II wherein
A is R
3-NH-CO-O-Pro.
[0034] Cyclisation may also conveniently be performed via the hydrazide. When the linear
peptide is prepared on the resin, it is generally not critical which amino acid is
selected to be at the C-terminal position provided only that the sequence of amino
acids in the linear peptide corresponds to that in the desired somatostatin analog.
Once a linear peptide has been cyclised one can no longer determine which amino acid
was at the C-terminus of the linear peptide. While generally the selection of the
first amino acid to start the chain is not critical, since the linear peptide will
be cyclised, there may be other factors which may prefer one starting amino acid over
another. Preferably the linear peptide is cyclised in such a way to produce a bond
from Trp in position 3 to ZZ
a in position 2 or from X
2 in position 6 to X
1 in position 5.
[0035] The complexation of a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION comprising an amino group substituted
by a chelating group may be performed by reacting the chelated COMPOUND with a corresponding
detectable element yielding compound, e.g. a metal salt, preferably a water-soluble
salt. The reaction may be carried out by analogy with known methods, e.g. as disclosed
in Perrin, Organic Ligand, Chemical Data Series 22. NY Pergamon Press (1982); in Krejcarit
and Tucker, Biophys. Biochem. Res. Com.
77: 581 (1977) and in Wagner and Welch, J. Nucl. Med.
20: 428 (1979).
[0036] Insofar as the production of the starting materials is not particularly described,
the compounds are known or may be prepared analogously to methods known and practiced
in the art.
[0037] The following examples are illustrative of the invention. All temperatures are in
°C.
[0038] The following abbreviations are used:
Bzl = benzyl (Bzl) = -CH2-phenyl attached to an oxygen or sulfur according to (a) or (b)
DMF = dimethylformamide
BOC = tert. butyloxycarbonyl
Fmoc = 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl
TFA = trifluoroacetic acid
DIPCI = diisopropylcarbodiimide
DCCI = dicyclohexyl carbodiimide
HOBt = hydroxybenzotriazole
Dab = 2,4-diaminobutyric acid
Dpr = 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid
Dpm = 2,6-diaminoheptanedioic acid
Dde = 4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-1-ylidene ethyl
RT = room temperature
HyPro = 4-hydroxy-Pro (trans except where otherwise stated)
Tic = Tetrahydroisoquinoline-carboxylic acid
EXAMPLE 1: cyclo[HyPro-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe]
[0039] Fmoc-Phe-SASRIN® Resin (1.00 g, 0.65 mmol) is carried through the procedures of Fmoc
solid phase synthesis until the desired Fmoc-(D)Trp-Lys(Boc)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe-Pro(y-t-OH)-Phe
SASRIN® peptide resin is assembled. The Fmoc is deprotected using piperidine. Cleavage
of the peptide resin is carried out using hydrazinolysis. To 1.00 g of the peptide
resin, 8.3 ml of DMF and 1.24 ml of hydrazine hydrate (ca. 15 % hydrazine hydrate
in DMF) is added. The mixture is stirred for 15 hours at RT. After the reaction the
resin is filtered and washed well with DMF. The filtrate is collected and evaporated
in high vacuo to give an oily hydrazide product residue. The residue is dissolved
in water and lyophilised to give 480 mg of linear H-(D)Trp-Lys(Boc)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe-HyPro-Phe-NH-NH
2 hydrazide product. This hydrazide is dissolved in 16 ml DMF, cooled to -20° and is
treated with 4N HCl in ether (2.4 ml, 11.6 mmol) and subsequently tert.-butylnitrite
(41.3 µl, 0.348 mmol). The reaction is stirred for 20 minutes. Diisopropylethylamine
(11.6 mmol, 2 ml) is added and the reaction is stirred for 72 h at room temperature.
After the reaction is complete, DMF is removed under high vacuum. Water is added to
the oily residue, leading to a precipitation. Extraction is carried out between ethyl
acetate and water. The organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and the product
is isolated. Deprotection is carried out using TFA/water 95:5 and the product is isolated
using reversed phase HPLC. Ion exchange of the product containing fractions is performed
and lyophilisation gives the title product as a white powder, MH
+(FAB) 975, F = 1.24 [α]
D22 = -39.0° (95 % AcOH; c = 0.1)
EXAMPLE 2: cyclo[{4-(NH2-C2H4-NH-CO-O-)Pro)-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe]
[0040] Fmoc-HyPro-OMe is added dropwise into a solution of trisphosgene (0.6 eq.) in THF.
After 1h dimethylaminopyridine (1.0 eq.) and N-BOC-diaminoethane (6.0 eq.) are added
and the reaction is stirred at RT. After TLC studies, solvent is removed in vacuo
and the Fmoc-4-(N-BOC-aminoethylaminocarbonyloxy)Pro-OMe is extracted from a two phase
system of ethylacetate / 0.1 M HCl to give crude product (MH
+ = 554). The crude methyl ester isolated above is then cleaved to the free acid by
treatment with 1N NaOH in dioxane/water and the product Fmoc-4-(aminoethylaminocarbonyloxy)-
Pro-OH is purified on silica gel, (MNa)
+ = 562).
[0041] Fmoc-Phe-SASRIN® Resin (1.0g, 0.65 mmol) is carried through the procedures of Fmoc
solid phase synthesis until the desired Fmoc-(D)Trp(BOC)-Lys(Boc)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe-Pro(y-t-N-BOC-diaminoethanecarbamoyl)-Phe-SASRIN
peptide resin is assembled. The Fmoc is deprotected using piperidine. Cleavage of
the peptide resin is carried out by treating the peptide resin in a glass column with
2% TFA in CH
2Cl
2. Neutralisation is carried out with 1M NaHCO
3 solution. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the protected linear peptide is
lyophilised (MH
+ = 1379.8). The protected linear peptide is cyclised by treatment with DCCI (6.0 eq.)
and HOBt (6.0 eq.) over a period of 5 days.
[0042] Deprotection is then achieved with 95:5 TFA:H
2O, and the cyclic peptide is purified by preparative HPLC and ion exchanged to the
acetate salt form with AG4-X4 ion exchange resin to give the title compound (FAB-MH
+ = 1061.7).
EXAMPLE 3: cyclo[{4-(morpholino-ethyl-aminocarbonyloxy)-Pro}-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe]
[0043] The synthesis of the hydroxyproline-extension is as follows: Fmoc-HyPro-OMe is added
dropwise into a solution of trisphosgene (0.6 eq.) in THF. After 1h dimethylaminopyridine
(1.0 eq.) and N-ethylaminomorpholine (6.0 eq.) are added and the reaction is stirred
at RT. After TLC studies, solvent is removed in vacuo and the Fmoc-4-(morpholinoethylaminocarbonyloxy)Pro-OMe
is purified on silica gel, (MH
+ 524). The methyl ester is then cleaved by treatment with 1N NaOH in dioxane/water
and the product Fmoc-4-(morpholinoethylaminocarbonyloxy)Pro-OH is purified on silica
gel, (MH
+ 510).
[0044] Fmoc-Phe-SASRIN is taken through the procedures of Fmoc solid phase synthesis in
a manner analogous to the previous example until the desired Fmoc-(D)Trp(Boc)-Lys(Boc)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe-(Morpholinoethylaminocarbamate)HyPro-Phe-SASRIN
resin is assembled. The Fmoc is deprotected using piperidine. Cleavage of the peptide
resin is carried out by treating the peptide resin in a glass column with 2% TFA in
CH
2Cl
2. Neutralisation is carried out with 1M NaHCO
3 solution. The solvent is reduced in vacuo and the protected linear peptide is lyophilised.
The protected linear peptide is cyclised by treatment with DCCI (6.0eq.) and HOBt
(6.0 eq.) over a period of 5 days. Deprotection is then achieved with 95:5 TFA:H
2O and the cyclic peptide is purified by preparative HPLC and ion exchanged to the
acetate salt form with AG4-X4 ion exchange resin to give the title compound.
MH
+ (FAB) : 1131
[α]
D22 = -55.0° (95 % AcOH; c = 0.1)
[0045] By repeating the procedures as disclosed above but using the corresponding starting
materials, compounds of formula
cyclo[X-Y-DTrp-Lys-Z-Phe]
wherein X, Y and Z are as defined in Table 1 below, may be obtained.

[0046] The protected peptide cyclo[(NH
2-C(=NH)-NH-C
2H
4-NH-CO-O-)]-Pro-Tyr-DTrp-Lys(Dde)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe is assembled on the resin using Fmoc
solid phase synthesis procedure as described in Example 2. Instead of N
∈-Boc-Lys, N
∈-Dde-Lys is used to preferentially introduce the guanidinyl function on the basic
side chain of the HyPro residue. After assembling the peptide the terminal Fmoc group
is removed and the peptide cyclised and finally deprotected as in Example 2. This
peptide is dissolved in DMF and diisopropyl ethyl amine (3 eq) and HOBt (4 eq) are
added followed by 3,5-dimethyl- pyrazolylformamidinium nitrate (4 eq) and the solution
is stirred for 72 h. at RT. The reaction mixture is evaporated in vacuo and then subjected
to treatment with anhydrous hydrazine (2% in DMF) for 30 min to remove the Dde group
on Lys. The crude title peptide (Example 29) is then purified by HPLC in acetonitrile
and aqueous triethylammonium phosphate system.
EXAMPLE 41: cyclo[4-(NH2-C2H4-NH-CO-O-)Pro-Ala-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(3-Bzl)-Phe]
EXAMPLE 42: cyclo[{4-(NH2-C2H4-NH-CO-O-)Pro}-(p-NH2)-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(3-Bzl)-Phe]
[0048] MH
+ (E.S.): 1076.6
EXAMPLE 43: cyclo[4-HyPro-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-βNal]
[0049] MH
+ (E.S.): 1025.5
EXAMPLE 44: cyclo[4-HyPro-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Tyr]
EXAMPLE 45: cyclo[MePhe-His-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Dab]
EXAMPLE 46:
[0052]
a) cyclo[4-(NH2-C2H4-NH-CO-O-)Pro-Phe-DTrp-Lys(∈-Boc)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe]
60 mg cyclo[4-NH2-C2H4-NH-CO-O)Pro-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe], 12 mg NaHCO3 and 12 mg (BOC)2O are dissolved in 10 ml DMF/water 7/3 and kept at room temperature with stirring
overnight. After evaporation of the solvent the title product is isolated by silica
gel chromatography using methylene chloride/methanol/acetic acid50% 8/2/0.25 as mobile phase.
b) cyclo[4-(DTPA-NH-C2H4-NH-CO-O-)Pro-Phe-DTrp-Lys(∈-Boc)-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe]
120 mg DTPA-hydrazide are dissolved in 5 ml DMF and adjusted to pH 3 with drops of
diethyl ether/3N HCl. After cooling down to -15° 4µl tert.-butylnitrite and a solution
of 15 mg of the compound obtained in a) above in 3 ml DMF containing 15 µl Hünig base
is added. After 4 hours the solvent is removed by evaporation and the remaining residue
is deprotected without any further purification.
c) cyclo[4-(DTPA-NH-C2H4-NH-CO-O-)Pro-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Tyr(Bzl)-Phe]
The crude product of step b) is treated with 5 ml TFA/water 95/5 at 0° for 10 minutes.
After diluting with 50 ml water the solution is directly transferred on a RP18-HPLC
column and eluted with a water/acetonitrile/TFA0.1% gradient. Pure fractions are pooled and lyophilized. FAB-MS: 1436.6
EXAMPLE 47: 111In Labeled Compound of Example 46c)
[0053] 1 mg of the compound of Example 46c) is dissolved in 5 ml 0.01 M acetic acid. The
resulting solution is passed through a 0.22 µ Millex® -GV filter (Registered Trade
Mark) and dispensed in 0.1 ml portions and stored at -20°.
111InCl
3 (Amersham, 1 mCi/100 µl) is prediluted in an equal volume of 0.5 M sodium acetate
and labeling is carried out by mixing the ligand with the InCl
3 solution and gentle homogenisation at room temperature.
[0054] HEPES buffer, pH 7.4, is then added to make a solution 10
-6 M.
EXAMPLE 48: Cyclo-[4-(DOTA-NH-C2H4-NH-CO-O)Pro-Phe-DTrp-Lys-Ser(Bzl)-Phe]
[0056] This compound is labelled with
90Y as follows: 20µl of
90Y(1.2 mCi, 0.04 M HCl) to 20 µl of 50 µM of above compound (0.15 M NH
4=Ac, 0.3% BSA, pH 4.5). This solution is incubated at 100° for 15 minutes. An aliquot
is removed and diluted with 4mM DTPA (pH 4.5) before being analyzed by C18 reverse
phase HPLC to ascertain the amount of free unchelated
90Y in the reaction mixture (as indicated by the (as indicated by the presence of [
90YDTPA]
2-.
EXAMPLE 49:
[0057]

[0058] 116 mg of the compound of Example 46a), 12 mg NaCNBH
3 and 2 equivalents of the respective aldehyde are dissolved in 25 ml DMF/HOAc
1% and kept at 60° until no starting material can be detected by TLC. After removal
of the solvent the remaining residue is purified by silica gel chromatography (methylene
chloride/methanol/HOAc
50% 9/1/0.125 ---> 8/2/0.25) in order to separate mono- and double-alkylated end product.
i) Aldehyde: (D)-glucose
X1 = HOCH2-(CHOH)4-CH2- X2 = H
E.S.-MH+ = 1225.4
ii) Aldehyde: (D)-glucose
X1 = X2 = HOCH2-(CHOH)4-CH2-
E.S.-MH+ = 1389.6
iii) Aldehyde: 2,3-0-isopropylidene-(D)-glyceraldehyde
X1 = HOCH2-CHOH-CH2- X2 = H
iv) Aldehyde: 2,3-O-isopropylidene-(D)-glyceraldehyde
X1 = X2 = HOCH2-CHOH-CH2-
E.S.-MH+ = 1209.4
v) Aldehyde: hydroxyacetaldehyde
X1 = X2 = HOCH2-CH2-
E.S.-MH+ = 1149.4
[0059] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION in free form or in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and complexes exhibit valuable pharmacological properties as indicated in
in vitro and
in vivo tests and are therefore indicated for therapy.
[0060] In particular, the COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION bind to at least one somatostatin receptor
subtype. 5 somatostatin receptor subtypes, SST-1, SST-2, SST-3, SST-4 and SST-5 have
been cloned and characterized.
[0061] hSST-1, hSST-2 and hSST-3 and their sequences have been disclosed by Y. Yamada et
al. in Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.,
89, 251-255 (1992). hSST-4 and its sequence have been disclosed by L. Rohrer et al.
in Proc. Acad. Sci.,
90, 4196-4200 (1993). hSST-5 and its sequence have been described by R. Panetta et al.
in Mol. Pharmacol.
45, 417-427, 1993.
[0062] The binding assays may be carried out as disclosed hereunder using membranes prepared
from hSST-1, hSST-2, hSST-3, hSST-4 or hSST-5 selective cell lines, e.g. CHO cells
stably expressing hSST-1, hSST-2, hSST-3, hSST-4 or hSST-5.
[0063] Brain or pituitary tissue is used in which hSST are visualised with e.g. in situ
hybridisation and/or receptor autoradiography. Membranes are prepared according to
known methods, e.g. as disclosed by JC. Reubi et al. in J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.
1987, 65, 1127-1137. Membranes prepared from hSST selective cell lines, e.g. CHO cells
stably expressing hSST-1 or hSST-2 or hSST-3 or hSST-4 or hSST-5 are incubated in
triplicate in a total volume of 300 µl at 22°C for 30 min with increasing concentrations
of [
125I-Tyr
3]-octreotide in 10 mmol/l Hepes buffer (pH 7.6) containing 0.5% BSA. The incubation
is terminated by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B glass fiber filters, which
are then washed four times each with 5 ml ice cold 10 mmol/l Tris/150 mmol/l NaCl.
The filters are counted in a LKB counter at 78% counting efficiency. Specific binding
is total binding minus non-specific binding in the presence of 1 µmol/l somatostatin-14.
The experiments are carried out in triplicate. The affinity constant (K
D) and number of binding sites are calculated from Scatchard plots of the data.
[0064] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION, e.g. as indicated above, respectively, have in the
above binding assays towards hSST-1, hSST-2, hSST-3, hSST-4 and/or hSST-5 an IC
50 in the nMolar range, preferably an IC
50 of from 0.1 to 10 nM (IC
50 = concentration for half-maximal inhibition in a competition binding assay using
[
125I-Tyr
3]-octreotide the same radioligand as indicated above).
| IC50 (nM) |
| Compound |
hSSTR-1 |
hSSTR-2 |
hSSTR-3 |
hSSTR-4 |
hSSTR-5 |
| Ex. 1 |
63.00 |
0.94 |
1.90 |
320.00 |
0.35 |
| Ex. 2 |
4.60 |
2.30 |
0.93 |
490.00 |
0.46 |
| Ex. 14 |
7.40 |
1.20 |
0.86 |
> 100 |
0.13 |
| Ex. 31 |
0.50 |
0.80 |
3.90 |
3.60 |
2.90 |
| Ex. 32 |
3.80 |
0.13 |
57.00 |
7.90 |
2.00 |
| Ex. 36 |
0.60 |
1.30 |
2.40 |
2.20 |
4.50 |
[0065] Furthermore, the COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION show GH-release inhibiting activity as
indicated by the inhibition of GH release in vitro from cultured pituitary cells.
Anterior pituitary glands from adult male rats are cut into small pieces and dispersed
using 0.1 % trypsin in 20 mM HEPES buffer. The dispersed cells are cultured for four
days in MEM (Gibco) supplemented with 5 % fetal calf serum, 5% horse serum, 1 mM NaHCO
3, 2.5 nM dexamethasone, 2.5 mg/ml insulin and 20 U/ml Pen/Strep. On the day of the
experiment the attached cells are washed two times with Krebs-Ringer medium buffered
with 20 mM HEPES and supplemented with 5 mM glucose and 0.2 % BSA. Subsequently the
cells are incubated for two to four hours with the test compound in the presence of
3x10
-10 M growth hormone releasing factor. The amount of growth hormone released into the
medium is measured by RIA. COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION inhibit the release of GH concentration-dependent
from 10
-11 to 10
-6 M. Compound of Example 2 has an IC
50 of 0.4 nM.
[0066] COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION also inhibit the release of insulin and/or glucagon, as
indicated in standard tests using male rats. The test-substance is administered at
varying, logarithmically staggered doses employing at least 5 rats per dose. 1 hour
after s.c. administration of the test substance blood is taken. The determination
of the blood serum insulin and glucagon levels is effected by radio-immuno-assay.
COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are active in this test when administered at a dosage in
the range of from 0.02 to 1000, e.g. to 10, µg/kg s.c.. Compound of Example 9 has
an EC
50 of 1.8 µg/kg s.c. with respect to insulin secretion.
[0067] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are accordingly useful for the treatment of disorders
with an aetiology comprising or associated with excess GH-secretion, e.g. in the treatment
of acromegaly as well as in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially complications
thereof, e.g.angiophathy, proliferative retinopathy, dawn phenomenon and nephropathy
and other metabolic disorders related to insulin or glucagon release.
[0068] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION also inhibit gastric acid secretion, exocrine and
endocrine pancreatic secretion and the secretion of various peptides of the gastrointestinal
tract, as indicated in standard tests using e.g. rats with gastric or pancreatic fistulae,
wherein the compounds are active at a dose from 0.01 to 10 mg/kg.
[0069] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION additionally are thus useful for the treatment of
gastro-intestinal disorders, for example in the treatment of peptic ulcers, enterocutaneous
and pancreaticocutaneous fistula, irritable bowel syndrom and disease, dumping syndrom,
watery diarrhea syndrom, AIDS-related diarrhea, chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, acute
or chronic pancreatitis and gastrointestinal hormone secreting tumors (e.g. vipomas,
glucagonomas, insulinomas, carcinoids and the like) as well as gastrointestinal bleeding.
[0070] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are also effective in the treatment of tumors which
are somatostatin receptor positive, particularly tumors bearing hSST-1, hSST-2, hSST-3,
hSST-4 and/or hSST-5, as indicated in proliferation tests with various cancer cell
lines bearing such somatostatin receptors.
[0071] The AR42J rat pancreatic tumor cell line is derived from an azaserine-induced exocrine
pancreatic tumor (Jessop and Hay, 1980). The absence of mycoplasma is regularly checked
using bisbenzimide staining and the GenProbe hybridization assay (San Diego, CA).
Cultures are propagated in DMEM supplemented with 10 % fetal calf serum (FCS) at 5
% CO
2. Cells are grown in the absence of antibiotics or antifungal agents. Subconfluent
AR42J cells are trypsinized, diluted in DMEM + 2.5 % FCS and seeded in uncoated 96-well
plates. After a 48-hr incubation period (Day O), the number of cells in a separate
control plate is determined both by counting cells in a Coulter counter and by the
SRB colorimetric assay. The cells are then exposed to the compound to be tested for
2 to 5 days at various concentrations and then counted. Under these conditions COMPOUNDS
OF THE INVENTION inhibit the proliferation of the tumor cells at a concentration of
from 10
-12 to 10
-6 M. Compound of Example 2 has an IC
50 of 0.7 ± 0.3 (SE) nM.
Tumor growth studies in vivo
[0072] Female nude mice (nu/nu Balbc-A from IFFA Credo, Lyon, France) weighing 19-22 g,
are kept in groups of 5 animals in macrolon cages (type III, 16x22x11 cm). The cages
are placed in ventilated cabinets (Iffa Credo) that are maintained at 24 ± 1°C. The
animals have free access to drinking water and a pathogen-free rodent diet (Diet A,
Kliba, Basel, Switzerland). To initiate tumors from cultured cells, AR42J cells are
trypsinized and 5-10x10
6 tumor cells (in 0.2 ml) are injected subcutaneously (s.c.) into both flanks of nude
mice. Treatment commences 2-4 days following inoculation of the tumor cells, the compound
to be tested being preferably administered as a continuous infusion, e.g. at a rate
of 10 to 50 µg/kg/hr, The size of the tumors is determined with a caliper. To calculate
the tumor volume the equation "volume (ellipsoid) = length x depth x height x 0.52"
is used. For statistical calculations Student's t-test is applied. In this assay compound
of Example 2 inhibits tumor growth at day 11 by 51 % vs saline control.
[0073] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are thus useful for the treatment of malignant cell
proliferative diseases, e.g. cancer tumors, particularly tumors bearing the somatostatin
receptor types targeted by the COMPOUNDS, e.g. as disclosed hereunder for the chelated
COMPOUNDS.
[0074] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION also have an inhibiting effect on angiogenesis, as
indicated in standard tests, e.g. in nude mice as disclosed below.
[0075] Mice are anesthetized by 400 mg/kg chloral hydrate (Sigma) i.p. Tumor cells (0.1
to 10 x 10
6 in 0.1 ml) (SiHa cells and MDA-MB-231 cells prepared as disclosed in Angiogenesis,
Ed. by R. Steiner, P.B. Weisz and R. Langer, 1992, Switzerland) are inoculated intracutaneously.
Usually two midventral sites/mouse are injected which are located distant from the
main ventral skin vessels so that the background vessel count is low. Control groups
receive 0.1 ml 0.02 % trypan blue in PBS. 10 days following injection, anesthetized
mice are sacrificed by CO
2 inhalation. The skin is mounted onto a plastic ring (40 mm diameter) for evaluation
by an inverted microscope (Zeiss IM) at 12.5- and 25-fold magnification. As a measure
of angiogenesis, vessels are photographed and those are counted that are directly
connected with the tumor. In control animals those vessels are counted that are connected
to a defined area around the injection site. This area corresponds to the mean area
of the dermal tumors. The latter is determined by use of a caliper according to the
equation 3.14 x r
2. The compounds to be tested are administered s.c. either on the day of tumor inoculation
or 3 days later. Control animals are vehicle-treated. In this assay, COMPOUNDS OF
THE INVENTION inhibit blood vessel formation when administered at a dose of e.g. 0.01
to 1000 µg/kg s.c.
[0076] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION additionally are thus useful for the prevention or
treatment of angiogenesis, inflammatory disorders and retinopathy.
[0077] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION also have an inhibiting effect on the proliferation
and migration of smooth muscle cells as indicated in following tests.
Chronic Allograft Rejection
[0078] COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION inhibit chronic rejection of a rat kidney allograft. The
kidney of a male DA (RT1
a) rat is orthotopically transplanted into a male Lewis (RT1
1) recipient. In total 24 animals are transplanted. All animals are treated with cyclosporine
A at 7.5 mg/kg/day per os for 14 days starting on the day of transplantation, to prevent
acute cellular rejection. Contralateral nephrectomy is not performed. Each experimental
group treated with a distinct dose of a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION or placebo comprises
six animals.
Starting at day 53-64 after transplantation, the recipient animals are treated for
another 69-72 days by infusion with a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION or receive placebo.
At 14 days after transplantation organ perfusion is measured by MRI. This is repeated
at days 53-64 after transplantation and at the end of the experiment. The animals
are then autopsied. Administration of a COMPOUND THE INVENTION e.g compound of Example
31, at a dose of 1 to 10 µg/kg/h in this rat kidney allograft model yields an improved
organ perfusion. A sharp drop of IGF-1 levels has also been measured.
Angioplasty
[0079] Studies on angioplasty are done in the model of Balloon catheter injury: Balloon
catheterization is performed on day 0, essentially as described by Powell et al. (1989).
Under Isofluorane anaesthesia, a Fogarty 2F catheter is introduced into the left common
carotid artery via the external carotid and inflated (distension ≈ 10 µl H
2O). The inflated balloon is withdrawn along the length of the common carotid three
times, the latter two times whilst twisting gently to obtain a uniform de-endothelialization.
The cathether is then removed, a ligature placed around the external carotid to prevent
bleeding and the animals allowed to recover.
2 groups of 12 RoRo rats (400 g, approximately 24 weeks old) are used for the study:
one control group and one group receiving a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION. The rats are
fully randomized during all handling, experimental procedures and analysis.
The compound to be tested is administered by continuous infusion using minipumps at
a rate of 10-50µg/kg/h starting 3 days before balloon injury (day -3) until the end
of the study, 14 days after balloon injury (day +14). Rats are kept in individual
cages and allowed food and water ad libidum.
[0080] The rats are then anaesthetized with Isofluorane, a perfusion catheter inserted through
the left ventricle and secured in the aortic arch, and an aspiration cannula inserted
into the right ventricle. Animals are perfused under a perfusion pressure of 150 mmHg,
firstly for 1 min. with 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS, pH 7.4) and
then for 15 min. with 2.5 % glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Carotid arteries
are then excised, separated from surrounding tissue and immersed in 0.1 M cacodylate
buffer (pH 7.4) containing 7 % saccharose and incubated overnight at 4° C. The following
day the carotids are immersed and shaken for 1h at room temperature in 0.05 % KMnO
4 in 0.1 M cacodylate. The tissues are then dehydrated in a graded ethanol series;
2 x 10 min in 75 %, 2 x 10 min in 85 %, 3 x 10 min in 95 % and 3 x 10 min in 100 %
ethanol. The dehydrated carotids are then embedded in Technovit 7100 according to
the manufacturers recommendation. The embedding medium is left to polymerize overnight
in an exsiccator under argon.
[0081] Sections 4 µm thick are cut from the middle section of each carotid with a hard metal
knife on a rotary microtome and stained for 2 min with Giemse-stain. About 5 sections
from each carotid are thus prepared and the cross-sectional area of the media, neointima
and the lumen morphometrically evaluated by means of an image analysis system (MCID,
Toronto, Canada).
[0082] In this assay, the COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION inhibit myointimal proliferation when
administered by continuous infusion at a daily dose of from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg, preferably
0.05 to 5 mg/kg.
[0083] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION are thus also useful for preventing or combating graft
vessel diseases, e.g. allo- or xenotransplant vasculopathies, e.g. graft vessel atherosclerosis,
e.g. in a transplant of organ, e.g. heart, lung, combined heart-lung, liver, kidney
or pancreatic transplants, or for preventing or treating restenosis and/or vascular
occlusion following vascular injury, e.g. angioplasty.
[0084] For all the above indications the required dosage will of course vary depending upon,
for example, the COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION employed, the host, the mode of administration
and the severity of the condition to be treated. In general however satisfactory results
are obtained on administration on the order of from 1 µg to 0.5 mg/kg/day of COMPOUND.
An indicated daily dosage for patients is in the range from about 2 µg to about 20
mg, preferably about 0.01 to about 20 mg, e.g. about 10 to about 5000 µg s.c. of the
compound conveniently administered in divided doses up to 3 times a day in unit dosage
form containing for example from about 0.5 µg to about 10 mg, e.g. from about 2 µg
to 10 mg, of the COMPOUND or in sustained release form.
[0085] The COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION may be administered in free form or in pharmaceutically
acceptable salt form or complexes. Such salts and complexes may be prepared in conventional
manner and exhibit the same order of activity as the free compounds. The present invention
also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION,
e.g. a compound of formula II, in free base form or in pharmaceutically acceptable
salt form or complex form in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent
or carrier. Such compositions may be formulated in conventional manner. The COMPOUNDS
OF THE INVENTION or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or complex thereof may be administered
by any conventional route, for example parenterally e.g. in form of injectable solutions
or suspensions, or in a nasal or a suppository form.
[0086] In accordance with the foregoing the present invention further provides:
a) a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION e.g. a compound of formula II, or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt or complex thereof for use as a pharmaceutical;
b) a COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or complex thereof
for use in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for use in any method as
defined under b above.
[0087] The chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof
are useful either as an imaging agent, e.g. visualisation of somatostatin receptor
positive tissues and cells e.g. somatostatin receptor positive tumors and metastases,
inflammatory or autoimmune disorders exhibiting somatostatin receptors, tuberculosis
or organ rejection after transplantation, when complexed with a γ- or positron-emitting
nuclide, e.g.
111In,
161Tb or
86Y, or as a radiopharmaceutical for the treatment in vivo of somatostatin receptor
positive tumors and metastases, rheumatoid arthritis and severe inflammation conditions
when complexed with an α- or β-emitting nuclide, or a nuclide with Auger-e
--cascades, e.g.
90Y,
61Tb
211At,
213Bi or
201Tl as indicated by standard tests.
[0088] In particular, it is observed that the chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION e.g.
111In,
88Y,
90Y,
153Sm,
186Re or
161Tb chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION bind with a good affinity to somatostatin receptors
with pKi values of from about 8 to 10. Compound of Example 47 has an IC
50 value of 1.2 nM towards hSST-2, 0.65 nM towards hSST-3 and 0.30 nM towards hSST-5.
[0089] The affinity of the chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION and their complexes for somatostatin
receptors can also be shown by in vivo testing, according to standard test methods,
e.g. as disclosed in GB-A-2,225,579. For example the compound of Example 47 gives
a significant tumor accumulation 4 hours after injection into mice or rats bearing
a exocrine pancreatic tumor bearing SST-2 receptors.
[0090] After administration of a chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION in complexed form, e.g.
a
111In,
86Y or
161Tb chelated compound at a dosage of from 1 to 5 µg/kg labelled with 0.1 to 5 mCi radionuclide,
preferably 0.1 to 2 mCi the tumor site becomes detectable together with the organs
where excretion essentially takes place.
[0091] The chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION when radiolabelled with an α- or β-emitting
radionuclide or a nuclide with Auger-e
- -cascades have an antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic effect on tumor cells bearing
somatostatin receptors, e.g. as indicated in nude mice tests.
[0092] Nude mice are inoculated with AR42J rat pancreatic tumor cells or NCI-H69 human small
cell lung cancer as disclosed above. When tumors have reached a volume of 1 to 2 cm
3 animals are randomized into control and treatment groups. Control animals, receive
either an unlabelled COMPOUND or a chelated COMPOUND in complexed form by i.p. or
i.v. injections at doses corresponding to the highest dose of the treatment groups.
Doses up to 40mCi/kg are given per mouse. The size of the tumors is determined with
a caliper as disclosed above. For statistical calculations Student's t-test is applied.
In this test, transient tumor shrinkage to 50% of initial is observed after one week
and tumor growth is delayed for two weeks upon a single application of the compound
of Example 48. In contrast the control groups showed continuous tumor growth with
a volume doubling time of about seven days.
[0093] Accordingly, in a series of specific or alternative embodiments, the present invention
also provides:
1. Use of a chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION, e.g. a chelated compound of formula
II, in complexed form for the preparation of a composition for in vivo detection of somatostatin receptor positive cells and tissues in a subject and recording
the localisation of the receptors targeted by said chelate.
The radiolabelled COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION for use as an imaging agent may be administered
intraperitoneally, preferably intravenously, e.g. in the form of injectable solutions
or suspensions, preferably in a single injection. The radiolabelling may preferably
be performed shortly before administration to a subject.
A chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION may advantageously be administered in a dose
comprising 0.2 to 20 mCi of a stably complexed nuclide, preferably 1 to 10 mCi.
In animals an indicated dosage range may be of from 0.01 to 1 µg/kg of a chelated
COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION complexed with 0.02 to 0.5 mCi γ-emitting radionuclide.
In larger mammals, for example humans, an indicated dosage range may be of from 1
to 20 µg chelated COMPOUND complexed e.g. with 1 to 10 mCi 111In or 86Y.
2. Use of a chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION e.g. a chelated compound of formula
II, in complexed form for the preparation of a composition for in vivo treatment of somatostatin receptor positive tumors and metastases.
Dosages employed in practising the radiotherapeutic use of the present invention will
of course vary depending e.g. on the particular condition to be treated, for example
the known radiotoxicity to normal organs expressing SST-2 receptors, the volume of
the tumor and the therapy desired. In general, the dose is calculated on the basis
of pharmacokinetik and radioactivity distribution to healthy organs and on observed
target uptake. A β-emitting complex of a chelated COMPOUND may be administered repeatedly
e.g. over a period of 1 to 3 months.
In animals an indicated dosage range may be of from 20 to 100 µg/kg chelated COMPOUND
complexed with 15 to 70 mCi 90Y or 161Tb.
The chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION in complexed form may be administered by any
conventional route, in particular intraperitoneally or intravenously, e.g. in the
form of injectable solutions or suspensions. They may also be administered advantageously
by infusion, e.g. an infusion of 30 to 60 min. Depending on the site of the tumor,
they may be administered as close as possible to the tumor site, e.g. by means of
a catheter.
[0094] The chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION in complexed form may be suitable for imaging
or treating tumors such as pituitary, gastro-enteropancreatic, carcinoids, central
nervous system, breast, prostatic, ovarian or colonic tumours, small cell lung cancer,
paragangliomas, kidney cancer, skin cancer, neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, medullary
thyroid carcinomas, myelomas, lymphomas, Hodgking and non-Hodgkins disease, bone tumours
and metastases thereof, and rheumatoid arthritis.
[0095] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical
composition comprising a chelated COMPOUND OF THE INVENTION in free or complexed form
together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents therefor.
Such compositions may be manufactured in conventional manner and may be presented
, e.g. for imaging, in the form of a kit comprising two separate dosages, one being
the radionuclide and the other the un complexed chelate, with instructions for mixing
them. For radiotherapy, the chelated COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION in free or complexed
form may preferably be presented as a hot liquid formulation.