Encapsulation of a Radiolabeled Cluster Inside a Fullerene Cage, ¹⁷⁷Lu_<i>x</i>Lu_{(3−<i>x</i>)}N@C₈₀: An Interleukin-13-Conjugated Radiolabeled Metallofullerene Platform

Abstract

In this communication, we describe the successful encapsulation of (177)Lu into the endohedral metallofullerene (177)Lu(x)Lu(3-x)N@C(80) (x = 1-3) starting with (177)LuCl(3) in a modified quartz Kraschmer-Huffman electric generator. We demonstrate that the (177)Lu (beta-emitter) in this fullerene cage is not significantly released for a period of up to at least one-half-life (6.7 days). We also demonstrate that this agent can be conjugated with an interleukin-13 peptide that is designed to target an overexpressed receptor in glioblastoma multiforme tumors. This nanoparticle delivery platform provides flexibility for a wide range of radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic multimodal applications.