Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026), La santé communautaire, scolaire, et au travail
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)

In Silico Investigation of the Interactions of Piflufolastat F-18 and Flotufolastat F-18 Radiopharmaceuticals with Biological Targets Relevant to Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

La santé communautaire, scolaire, et au travail
Published 2026-02-02
Roland M. MBIKAYI
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ignis M. KITUKU
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Rosaire KITOKO
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bofilis A. KOMOY
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Didi D. BIBELAYI
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Joséphine N. KANKOLONGO
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kenny S. KALE
Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, & Commissariat Général à l’Energie Atomique, Centre Régional d’Etudes Nucléaires de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Damien S.T. TSHIBANGU
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa & Research Centre for Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine (CRPMT), Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Raphael M. MULONGO
Pharmaceutical Techniques Section, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
KOTO-TE-NYIWA NGBOLUA
Research Centre for Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine (CRPMT), Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Virima MUDOGO
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, & Research Centre for Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine (CRPMT), Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Aristote MATONDO
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, & Research Centre for Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine (CRPMT), Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Keywords

Nuclear medicine
Positron Emission Tomography
PSMA
radiopharmaceuticals
molecular docking

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How to Cite

In Silico Investigation of the Interactions of Piflufolastat F-18 and Flotufolastat F-18 Radiopharmaceuticals with Biological Targets Relevant to Prostate Cancer Diagnosis. (2026). REVUE DES SCIENCES DE LA SANTE, 5(1), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.71004/rss.026.v5.i1.50
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Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the major public health concerns among men worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis remains a significant challenge, particularly for the detection of small-volume lesions and early recurrences. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using radiopharmaceuticals targeting the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) has considerably improved diagnostic management. In this study, an in silico molecular modeling approach was employed to analyze and compare the interactions between two fluorine-18–labeled radiopharmaceuticals, Piflufolastat F-18 and Flotufolastat F-18, and several biological targets involved in prostate cancer, including the androgen receptor (AR), HIF-1α, HER2, and PSMA. Molecular docking was used to evaluate binding affinities and to identify stabilizing interactions at the atomic level. The results show that both radiopharmaceuticals exhibit strong affinity for PSMA, with particularly favorable binding energies, confirming their relevance in diagnostic imaging. Furthermore, Piflufolastat F-18 behaves as a multi-target ligand, which may reduce its selectivity, whereas Flotufolastat F-18 appears highly selective This study highlights the value of molecular modeling as a complementary tool for understanding ligand–receptor interactions and for the future optimization of PSMA-targeted radiotracers.

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References

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