rhenium-188 BMEDA liposome

Rhenium-188 BMEDA liposome is a targeted radiopharmaceutical composed of the beta-emitting radioisotope rhenium-188 ($^{188}$Re) encapsulated within pegylated liposomes. The encapsulation is achieved using the lipophilic chelator N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethylethylenediamine (BMEDA), which allows the radioisotope to be stably loaded into the aqueous core of the liposome. This formulation leverages the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect common in solid tumors, where the long-circulating pegylated liposomes pass through leaky tumor vasculature and accumulate in the interstitial space. Once localized, the rhenium-188 isotope emits high-energy beta particles that travel short distances to induce lethal DNA damage and apoptosis in tumor cells, while its gamma emission facilitates non-invasive biodistribution monitoring via SPECT imaging. Primarily developed by the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) in Taiwan, it has been investigated for the treatment of various cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Other names

rhenium (188Re) BMEDA-labeled liposome188Re-labeled pegylated liposomerhenium-188 N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethylethylenediamine liposome