Lung Cancer-Targeted [131I]-Iodoshikonin as Theranostic Agent: Radiolabeling, In Vivo Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution

Shikonin has been reported to exhibit high affinity toward lung cells and recited to inhibit the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells and suppress their growth. Shikonin cause noteworthy potential cytotoxic actions against A-549 lung cancer cells with IC 50 ≈ 3.5 μg/L per 10 4 cells. 131 I-shikonin was created with a high radiochemical yield of 92 ± 2.5% under the optimized conditions. In vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies of the new labeled shikonin showed high lung uptake reaching 81.28 ± 2% injected dose per gram at 15 min post injection with a high lung/heart and lung/blood ratios. The newly synthesized [ 131 I]-iodoshikonin affords potential lung theranostic radiopharmaceutical. In conclusion, the results showed the potential use of [ 131 I]-iodoshikonin as a promising system for lung imaging.