RSC Pharmaceutics最新文献

{"title":"Water mimicry enables the formation of a solid solution of caffeine and theophylline sulphate and a new type of non-stoichiometric hydrate","authors":"Enrico Spoletti, Ricardo Albarran Velo, Greta Camilla Magnano, Chiara Cappuccino, Daniel O'Nolan, Lilia Croitor, Dario Voinovich, Beatrice Perissutti and Matteo Lusi","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00149H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00149H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A solid solution of caffeine and theophylline is realized as sulphate salt hydrate. The molecules enter the structure with one and two equivalents of water, respectively, creating a novel type of non-stoichiometric hydrate. The solid solution is more thermally stable and enables an increased dissolution rate in water for caffeine and theophylline than the respective hydrated sulphate salts. In spite of the increase in solubility, the solid solution shows reduced permeability of caffeine through a synthetic skin membrane when tested against a physical mixture of the parent salts.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 180-186"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00149h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation-focused evaluation of transmission low-frequency Raman spectroscopy parameters for non-destructive quality control of solid dosage forms","authors":"Reo Kasahara, Motoki Inoue and Toshiro Fukami","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00214A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00214A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Transmission low-frequency Raman spectroscopy (TLRS) offers unique advantages for non-destructive characterization of crystalline phases in pharmaceutical solid dosage forms. While the analytical principle has been previously demonstrated, its practical implementation for routine quality control (QC) has not been systematically assessed. This study evaluates the effects of key formulation and measurement parameters—tablet thickness, compaction pressure, particle size, and laser power—on TLRS performance using intact amorphous carbamazepine tablets containing crystalline Form III. In transmission mode, spectral intensity peaked at an optimal thickness and decreased at higher compaction pressures, while smaller particle sizes provided more reproducible spectra and improved semi-quantitative accuracy. Principal component analysis (PCA) enabled clear discrimination and compositional ranking for low-level crystalline content (≥5%) across a 0–30% loading range. These findings provide practical insights into TLRS implementation and indicate its potential utility for future analytical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 2","pages":" 441-448"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00214a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147558528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"mRNA therapeutics beyond vaccines: dosing precision challenges and clinical translation framework","authors":"Sarfaraz K. Niazi","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00159E","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00159E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics have emerged as a transformative platform following the success of COVID-19 vaccines. However, the transition from prophylactic vaccination to therapeutic protein replacement presents unique challenges, particularly in dosing precision and sustained protein expression control. This review examines the fundamental amplification effect where single mRNA molecules can produce 10<small>³</small>–10<small>⁶</small> protein copies depending on construct optimization and cellular context, creating both therapeutic opportunities and dosing constraints that vary significantly across applications. Systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature (2020–2025) and comprehensive clinical trial database examination reveal that current lipid nanoparticle delivery systems provide limited spatial and temporal control, with protein expression following predictable kinetics: rapid onset (2–6 hours), peak expression (24–48 hours), and exponential decline (7–14 days). Recent clinical evidence demonstrates exceptional efficacy in applications tolerating variable protein expression, including cancer immunotherapy where mRNA-4157 achieved a 44% reduction in recurrence risk <em>versus</em> pembrolizumab monotherapy (HR = 0.56, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). However, significant constraints emerge for dose-sensitive applications requiring precise protein levels. Analysis of failure cases, including CureVac's CV9104 prostate cancer vaccine that failed to meet overall survival endpoints in Phase IIb trials, reveals critical design requirements for clinical success. Comparative analysis with AAV gene therapy demonstrates complementary therapeutic niches: mRNA excels in transient applications requiring temporal control, while AAV provides sustained expression for chronic conditions. Clinical translation requires careful selection of applications based on dosing tolerance, with cancer immunotherapy, infectious disease prevention, and transient protein therapies representing optimal use cases, while enzyme replacement therapy and hormone replacement face fundamental constraints with current platforms.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 10-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00159e?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The ideal duo for salt formation: vinpocetine and tosylic acid","authors":"Ilenia D'Abbrunzo, Francesca Beltrame, Lara Gigli, Nicola Demitri, Cinzia Cepek, Ferdinando Bassato, Giuseppe Procida, Dario Voinovich and Beatrice Perissutti","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00225G","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00225G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Two novel soluble salts of vinpocetine were prepared through simple and highly sustainable mechanochemical methods. Specifically, water-assisted grinding led to the formation of a crystalline, anhydrous, equimolar salt with <em>p</em>-toluenesulfonic acid, whereas neat grinding produced its amorphous counterpart. The structure of the crystalline salt was elucidated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, while the ionic nature of the amorphous salt was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The large Δp<em>K</em><small>_a</small> between <em>p</em>-toluenesulfonic acid and vinpocetine promotes the formation of a stable salt, with strong ionic interactions between the protonated tertiary amine of vinpocetine and the tosylate anion (as also attested by amorphous salt glass transition of about 81 °C). Both salts significantly enhance the saturation solubility of vinpocetine at 37 °C in phosphate buffer, achieving thermodynamic equilibrium in half the time compared to the pure crystalline drug. These findings highlight new opportunities for the development of vinpocetine, a compound with well-documented effects on cerebral circulation, whose broader application has so far been limited by its extremely low aqueous solubility.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 117-125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00225g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancements in nano-based drug delivery systems for therapeutics: a comprehensive review","authors":"Joicy John","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00179J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00179J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >In contemporary medicine, nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDS) have become a ground-breaking strategy, offering notable improvements in the regulated and targeted release of medicinal drugs. These systems use nanotechnology to reduce adverse effects, increase therapeutic efficacy, and improve medication absorption. In order to achieve certain drug release patterns and improve patient outcomes, recent developments have focused on the creation and optimization of nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, and micelles, among other materials. With an emphasis on advancements in materials, formulation techniques, and targeting mechanisms, this paper reviews current developments in NDDS. In addition to their challenges, such as toxicity, scaling issues, and regulatory barriers, the potential applications of NDDS in the future, such as gene therapy, customized medicine, and several drug delivery systems, are also reviewed. The development of nanotechnology for drug delivery has enormous potential to transform treatment paradigms in a number of therapeutic domains, such as infectious diseases, cancer, and chronic illnesses.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 43-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00179j?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Berberine-doped liposomes enhance factor IX mutant mRNA delivery for protein replacement therapy in hemophilia B","authors":"Porkizhi Arjunan, Gokulnath Mahalingam, Harini Manogaran, Mohankumar Murugesan, Saravanabhavan Thangavel and Srujan Marepally","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00135H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00135H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Hemophilia B, caused by factor IX (FIX) deficiency, remains the best candidate for mRNA-based gene therapy. However, efficient hepatic delivery of mRNA continues to be a significant challenge. In this study, we developed and evaluated berberine-functionalized cationic liposomes as a novel delivery platform for FIX mutant mRNAs. Berberine incorporation enhanced the liposome's membrane fluidity and fusion potential, facilitating improved intracellular delivery and endosomal escape. Six different FIX variants were designed, transcribed, and screened for optimal expression. Our results demonstrate that berberine liposomes significantly enhance hepatocyte transfection and enable sustained FIX production, particularly with the TmL mutant. These findings suggest that berberine-functionalized liposomes represent a delivery strategy for mRNA therapeutics, leveraging the natural liver tropism common to lipid-based systems while aiming to enhance hepatocyte transfection efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 168-179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00135h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biofilms: structure, resistance mechanism, emerging control strategies, and applications","authors":"Chinenye Nnenna Ugwu, Ezinwanne Nneoma Ezeibe, Stephen Chijioke Emencheta, Chinekwu Sherridan Nwagwu, Kingsley Onyenonachi Ogbonna, Chizoba Victor Ejiofor, Adaeze Linda Onugwu, Dinebari Philip Berebon and Anthony Amaechi Attama","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00094G","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00094G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Biofilms are biological barriers produced by a variety of organisms either for defense or because of physiological processes. Many microorganisms produce biofilms to adapt to certain adverse conditions and this has resulted in difficulty in their eradication with antimicrobial agents. There is the increasing menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by bacteria due to the production of biofilms. Specifically, bacterial biofilms are complex surface-delimited microbial structures contained in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, which are an obstacle to effective medical treatment of infections caused by these bacteria. Biofilm resistance to antibiotics can lead to persistent infections. Of particular concern are biofilms made from ESKAPE pathogens (<em>Enterococcus faecium</em>, <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, <em>Acinetobacter baumannii</em>, <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>, and <em>Enterobacter species</em>), which are bacteria resistant to the action of many antimicrobial agents. Following the emergence of AMR attributed to biofilms, which complicates disease treatment options and increases morbidity and mortality, there is an urgent need to understand the underlying mechanism of the formation of biofilms, their structure and the resistance profiles, strategies, and barrier systems, which have not been sufficiently considered all together. This systematic review can enable the precipitation of findings and control strategies for the development of effective interventions, guide research efforts, and inform clinical practices in handling biofilms. This review focuses on the different characteristics of biofilms, the organization of biofilms, the life cycles, and various models for studying biofilms, as well as the ways through which biofilms can be resistant to antimicrobials. The strategies for biofilm management, the role played by biofilms in clinical practice, and promising paradigms for the assessment of the outcome will also be highlighted. With the knowledge of how biofilms function and their relation to pathogens, life scientists can more effectively develop management plans to eradicate biofilm-related infections and provide better patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 6","pages":" 1376-1407"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/pm/d5pm00094g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145479554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of vismodegib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for the treatment of pancreatic cancer: formulation and in vitro assessment in co-culture monolayers and spheroids","authors":"Ubah Abdi, Minao Zhang and Wafa T. Al-Jamal","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00161G","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00161G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The desmoplastic tumour microenvironment (TME) is a defining feature of pancreatic cancer and serves as a major barrier to drug delivery and efficacy. Vismodegib is a clinically approved drug that targets the Hedgehog pathway <em>via</em> its receptor, Smoothened. This pathway is activated in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the main cell types in the TME. In this study, vismodegib was loaded into PLGA nanoparticles to improve its solubility and enhance the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine. Vismodegib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Vis-PLGA NPs) were prepared and optimised based on PLGA polymer, drug to polymer ratio and formulation method. Vis-PLGA NPs formulated by the single emulsion method improved the encapsulation efficiency from 36% to 86% when compared to nanoprecipitation. More importantly, the drug release profile demonstrated a slower burst release, with sustained release for the single emulsion method at 35% <em>vs.</em> 86% for nanoprecipitation after 48 h. In pancreatic stellate cells, Vis-PLGA NP treatment selectively inhibited 2D co-cultured-induced Hh pathway activation <em>via</em> the effector glioma-associated protein 1 (Gli1) when compared to free vismodegib. More importantly, Vis-PLGA NPs enhanced gemcitabine efficacy as a sequential treatment by prolonging spheroid growth inhibition, combined with a higher apoptotic cell population compared to gemcitabine single treatment (10.3% <em>vs.</em> 7.5%). This increase in apoptosis was not observed with free vismodegib pre-treatment compared to gemcitabine alone. These promising results provide a platform for further <em>in vitro</em> characterisation and <em>in vivo</em> studies of Vis-PGLA NPs for pancreatic cancer treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 136-149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00161g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An evaluation of the pharmaceutical properties of the Nigerian baobab polysaccharide for sustained release oral tablets","authors":"Munirah A. Ajiboye, Yogesh Rawat, Nihad Mawla, Rand Abdulhussain, Haja Muhamad, Adeola O. Adebisi, Barbara R. Conway, Alan M. Smith, Gordon A. Morris, Katie Addinall, Maria Dimopoulou, Athanasios Angelis-Dimakis and Kofi Asare-Addo","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00138B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00138B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Natural polysaccharides have various applications, and their use is on the rise due to properties including biodegradability, biocompatibility, cytocompatibility and the absence of negative immune responses. Natural polysaccharides have also been reported to be efficient biopolymers that can be used in oral dosage forms. To this end, this study investigated the potential of using the Nigerian baobab polysaccharide as a renewable pharmaceutical excipient and its impact on the release of theophylline as a model drug. The results indicate that the extraction process yielded an amorphous polysaccharide from the baobab oblong fruit. The thermogravimetric analysis showed weight loss to occur in three phases typical of polysaccharide decomposition. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the polysaccharide was stable until around 175 °C, after which thermal degradation takes place. Tablet formulations containing different concentrations of baobab were evaluated for mechanical properties, flowability, and dissolution characteristics. An increase in baobab content improved the mechanical strength of the tablets. The increase in the baobab concentration simultaneously brings about a decrease in the porosity of the compacts from 11% to 9%, demonstrating its suitability for use in tablet formulations. <em>In vitro</em> dissolution studies in acidic media (pH 1.2) showed that formulations with higher baobab content (30%–57.5%) demonstrated sustained release characteristics, with no burst release observed. At pH 6.8, however, an increase in the polysaccharide content seemed to promote a “burst release”. These distinctive behaviours at different pH values suggest significant potential for exploiting and understanding the functional properties of the polysaccharide to aid formulators in manipulating drug release. These pH-dependent behaviours mean that a formulator can tune release by adjusting the baobab : MCC ratio. Higher baobab content (30–57.5%) enables sustained, burst-free release at pH 1.2, while at pH 6.8, increasing baobab (to B4) enhances the 10 min burst, and the baobab-only formulation (B5) achieves the fastest overall release through rapid erosion.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 126-135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00138b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bifunctional sulfur-rich macrocyclic chelators and their immunoconjugates for the targeted delivery of theranostic mercury-197","authors":"Parmissa Randhawa, Misaki Kondo, Arthur C. K. Chu, Cristina Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Zhongli Cai, Conrad Chan, Yumeela Ganga-Sah, Shaohuang Chen, Neil Weatherall, Patrick R. W. J. Davey, Helen Merkens, Raymond M. Reilly, Valery Radchenko and Caterina F. Ramogida","doi":"10.1039/D5PM00222B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5PM00222B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The use of chemically matched theranostic radiometals in nuclear medicine presents a paradigm shift in personalized medicine with immense potential to treat advanced cancers. The nuclear isomers, mercury-197g (<small>^197g</small>Hg, half-life 64.14 h) and mercury-197m (<small>^197m</small>Hg, half-life 23.8 h) possess optimal physical decay properties to be applied in theranostic radiopharmaceuticals; however, their use has been limited due to the lack of suitable bifunctional chelators (BFCs) capable of attaching the radionuclides to disease targeting biomolecules. Herein we report the development and evaluation of two novel <small>^197m/g</small>Hg BFCs derived from a 15-membered thiacrown ether macrocycle (NS<small>₄</small>) bearing isothiocyanate (–NCS) or tetrazine (–Tz) bifunctional handles to allow conjugation to biomolecules. Both chelators were synthesized and radiolabeled with <small>^197m/g</small>Hg, assessed for complex stability, and bioconjugation to trastuzumab (TmAb), a monoclonal antibody targeting HER2 receptors. <strong>NS<small>₄</small>-Tz</strong> efficiently and stably complexes [<small>^197m/g</small>Hg]Hg<small>²⁺</small> and exhibited excellent <em>in vitro</em> stability in both glutathione and human serum. In contrast, <strong>NS<small>₄</small>-NCS</strong> showed lower radiometal incorporation yields and reduced complex stability, likely attributed to non-specific interactions of the isothiocyanate group with Hg<small>²⁺</small>. <strong>NS<small>₄</small>-Tz</strong> was successfully conjugated to transcyclooctene-modified TmAb with favourable chelator-to-antibody ratios and subsequently radiolabeled. Due to non-specific Hg<small>²⁺</small> binding to TmAb observed during direct labeling, a two-step labeling strategy was employed to improve selectivity. The resulting [<small>^197m/g</small>Hg]Hg-NS<small>₄</small>-Tz-TmAb construct demonstrated specific binding to HER2-positive SK-BR-3 cells <em>in vitro</em> and, in the first <em>in vivo</em> study of a [<small>^197m/g</small>Hg]Hg-labeled immunoconjugate, confirmed tumour-specific uptake in a SKOV-3 xenograft mouse model. Biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies of the BFC complex alone, [<small>^197m/g</small>Hg]Hg-NS<small>₄</small>-Tz, revealed high hepatic and splenic accumulation, with some renal uptake possibly due to transchelation or tracer pharmacokinetics. While long-term <em>in vivo</em> stability of the radioimmunoconjugate remains a challenge, <strong>NS<small>₄</small>-Tz</strong> shows significant promise for applications with faster-clearing vectors such as peptides or small molecules. Future work will focus on improving hydrophilicity and further optimizing chelator design for mercury-based theranostics.</p>","PeriodicalId":101141,"journal":{"name":"RSC Pharmaceutics","volume":" 1","pages":" 103-116"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/pm/d5pm00222b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}