Near-Infrared-Emitting BODIPY-trisDOTA(111)In as a Monomolecular Multifunctional Imaging Probe: From Synthesis to In Vivo Investigations

A new generation of monomolecular imaging probes (MOMIP) based on a distyryl-BODIPY (BODIPY= boron-dipyrromethene) coupled with three DOTA macrocycles has been prepared (DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid). The MOMIP presents good fluorescence properties and is very stable in serum. The bimodal probe was conjugated to trastuzumab, and an optical in vivo study showed high accumulation of the imaging agent at the tumor site. In-111 radiometallation of the bioconjugate was performed in high radiochemical yield, highlighting the potential of this new BODIPY-chelators derivative as a bimodal imaging probe.