Exploring Radioactive Gold Compounds for Innovative Applications in Nuclear Medicine

• Applicant: Dr. Sarah Spreckelmeyer
• Subject Area: Pharmacy ; Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 579082415

Radiopharmaceuticals are used in nuclear medicine, providing diagnostic and therapeutic applications for personalized patient care. The concept of theranostics uses the unique physical properties of radionuclides, enabling targeted imaging and therapy on a single molecular platform. However, existing radiopharmaceuticals might show differing pharmacokinetics between diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes, limiting their predictive and therapeutic accuracy. Addressing this, our research focuses on developing a “true” theranostic gold-based radiopharmaceutical by using two interesting gold radioisotopes – 198Au and 199Au. While 198Au delivers beta emissions for therapy, 199Au’s gamma emissions are ideal for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Our preliminary work has successfully demonstrated the synthesis and radiolabeling of gold-based complexes, including gold metallacages and gold-N-heterocyclic carbenes (Au-NHCs). Early studies revealed challenges in achieving stability with gold metallacages; however, radiolabeling experiments with Au-NHCs have shown promising stability. This proposal aims to address the unmet need for stable, biologically compatible 198/199Au-based radiopharmaceuticals. We will optimize Au-NHC scaffolds and Au-porphyrins to enhance radiochemical stability and explore their in vitro behavior (e.g. toxicity, stability, mechanism of action) and 198Au complexation capabilities. By combining advanced inorganic chemistry with innovative radiopharmaceutical techniques, this project seeks to establish a new paradigm in “true” theranostic agents, expanding the toolbox for personalized medicine and advancing the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Our work will contribute a novel class of gold-based radiopharmaceuticals to the field and paving the way for their clinical translation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants