
The 103Pd-radiolabeling service is aimed at designing new types of radiotherapeutics by equipping Auger electron emitters, Palladium-103, to targeting molecules for destructive, subcellular cancer therapy. At Alfa Cytology, the capability of the radiometal chemists to tailor radiolabeled compounds ensures that your 103Pd-labeled candidates are synthesized to a high standard and delivered as well-characterized compounds poised to advance your therapeutic programs.
As a low-energy radioisotope with a half-life of 16.99 days, Palladium-103 (103Pd) decays through electron capture. Characteristics of this decay process are the emission of X-rays of approximately 21 keV and a cascade of highly cytotoxic Auger electrons. Although 103Pd has been used for over a decade in low-dose rate brachytherapy seeds for prostate cancer, the unique emission of the electrons makes it a highly attractive candidate in the development of targeted radiopharmaceuticals.
103Pd labeling is a new approach to developing radiopharmaceuticals with highly localized and potent cellular cytotoxicity. 103Pd has a 17-day half-life and decays solely by electron capture, releasing a dense shower of low-energy Auger electrons. These electrons deposit energy within a very short range (within several nanometers), producing highly intricate damage to the DNA and resulting in strong cell-killing capabilities. These qualities make 103Pd-labeled agents very attractive for use in therapies seeking targeted destruction of micrometastases or disseminated tumor cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
Fig.1 Synthesis of SSIB-[16]aneS4 (5) and chelation of [103Pd]Pd to form [103Pd]Pd-SSIB-[16]AneS4 (6) (SPORER E, et al., 2024)
Delivering its therapeutic payloads on a subcellular level allows 103Pd-labeling to gain a unique set of benefits unmatched by conventional beta or alpha-emitting radionuclides.

Highly Localized Cytotoxicity
The Auger electrons deliver potent, DNA-level damage to a single cell, eliminating the “crossfire” effect, hence, maximizing adjacent healthy tissue safety.

Optimal Half-Life for Biologics
The 17-day half-life aligns with the slow uptake of large molecules, e.g., antibodies, hence, maximizing their tumor accumulation and therapeutic impact.

Reliable Supply Chain
Decades of widespread use in brachytherapy have resulted in a mature, reliable, and scalable production infrastructure for the isotope.
Here at Alfa Cytology, we focus on custom conjugation of targeting molecules with 103Pd, applying extensive purification and advanced analytics to guarantee exceptional product integrity and performance. Our experienced radiochemists tackle the complex aspects of 103Pd chemistry to deliver reliable, well-characterized agents to bolster your preclinical research initiatives.
From monoclonal antibodies and peptides to small-molecule inhibitors, our service custom-conjugates 103Pd to your specific targeting molecule to engineer potent, next-generation Auger electron therapies.
Following labeling, verification is performed on the compound to assess successful incorporation of 103Pd. For this purpose, correct isotopic labeling, purity, and compound stability to biological studies standards are confirmed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, followed by scintillation counting.
In vitro tests are performed to evaluate the biological properties of the 103Pd-labeled radiopharmaceutical. This includes studying its interaction with target receptors, cellular uptake, metabolic stability, and other pharmacological properties.
To start, this critical phase considers the quantitative biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies, which aim to confirm the distribution and clearance rates of an agent in an organ and the entire body, respectively. Afterwards, in relevant disease models, SPECT imaging is utilized to verify the engagement of specific targets and, through in vivo blocking studies, to ascertain the agent's diagnostic capacity.
Leveraging its unique, short-range Auger electron emissions, 103Pd-radiolabeling enables highly precise therapeutic and research applications at the cellular and subcellular level.

Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (Auger Therapy)

Preclinical Radiopharmaceutical Research
Alfa Cytology provides specialized scientific support and rigorous synthesis capabilities to support the entire workflow of 103Pd conjugated, for the development of Auger electron therapy for radiopharmaceutical targeting. We are eager and ready to collaborate. Do not hesitate to reach out to us to discuss the specific needs for your project and our services.
Reference
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.