51
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Schardt JS, Oubaid JM, Williams SC, Howard JL, Aloimonos CM, Bookstaver ML, Lamichhane TN, Sokic S, Liyasova MS, O'Neill M, Andresson T, Hussain A, Lipkowitz S, Jay SM. Engineered Multivalency Enhances Affibody-Based HER3 Inhibition and Downregulation in Cancer Cells. Mol Pharm 2017; 14:1047-1056. [PMID: 28248115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase HER3 has emerged as a therapeutic target in ovarian, prostate, breast, lung, and other cancers due to its ability to potently activate the PI3K/Akt pathway, especially via dimerization with HER2, as well as for its role in mediating drug resistance. Enhanced efficacy of HER3-targeted therapeutics would therefore benefit a wide range of patients. This study evaluated the potential of multivalent presentation, through protein engineering, to enhance the effectiveness of HER3-targeted affibodies as alternatives to monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Assessment of multivalent affibodies on a variety of cancer cell lines revealed their broad ability to improve inhibition of Neuregulin (NRG)-induced HER3 and Akt phosphorylation compared to monovalent analogues. Engineered multivalency also promoted enhanced cancer cell growth inhibition by affibodies as single agents and as part of combination therapy approaches. Mechanistic investigations revealed that engineered multivalency enhanced affibody-mediated HER3 downregulation in multiple cancer cell types. Overall, these results highlight the promise of engineered multivalency as a general strategy for enhanced efficacy of HER3-targeted therapeutics against a variety of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Schardt
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Jinan M Oubaid
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Sonya C Williams
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - James L Howard
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Chloe M Aloimonos
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Michelle L Bookstaver
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Tek N Lamichhane
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Sonja Sokic
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Mariya S Liyasova
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Maura O'Neill
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research , Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research , Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Arif Hussain
- Baltimore VA Medical Center , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Stanley Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Steven M Jay
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States.,Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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52
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Comparative Evaluation of Anti-HER2 Affibody Molecules Labeled with 64Cu Using NOTA and NODAGA. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2017; 2017:8565802. [PMID: 29097939 PMCID: PMC5612711 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8565802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Imaging using affibody molecules enables discrimination between breast cancer metastases with high and low expression of HER2, making appropriate therapy selection possible. This study aimed to evaluate if the longer half-life of 64Cu (T1/2 = 12.7 h) would make 64Cu a superior nuclide compared to 68Ga for PET imaging of HER2 expression using affibody molecules. The synthetic ZHER2:S1 affibody molecule was conjugated with the chelators NOTA or NODAGA and labeled with 64Cu. The tumor-targeting properties of 64Cu-NOTA-ZHER2:S1 and 64Cu-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1 were evaluated and compared with the targeting properties of 68Ga-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1 in mice. Both 64Cu-NOTA-ZHER2:S1 and 64Cu-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1 demonstrated specific targeting of HER2-expressing xenografts. At 2 h after injection of 64Cu-NOTA-ZHER2:S1, 64Cu-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1, and 68Ga-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1, tumor uptakes did not differ significantly. Renal uptake of 64Cu-labeled conjugates was dramatically reduced at 6 and 24 h after injection. Notably, radioactivity uptake concomitantly increased in blood, lung, liver, spleen, and intestines, which resulted in decreased tumor-to-organ ratios compared to 2 h postinjection. Organ uptake was lower for 64Cu-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1. The most probable explanation for this biodistribution pattern was the release and redistribution of renal radiometabolites. In conclusion, monoamide derivatives of NOTA and NODAGA may be suboptimal chelators for radiocopper labeling of anti-HER2 affibody molecules and, possibly, other scaffold proteins with high renal uptake.
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53
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In vivo evaluation of a novel format of a bivalent HER3-targeting and albumin-binding therapeutic affibody construct. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43118. [PMID: 28230065 PMCID: PMC5322329 DOI: 10.1038/srep43118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is involved in resistance to several therapies for malignant tumours. Currently, several anti-HER3 monoclonal antibodies are under clinical development. We introduce an alternative approach to HER3-targeted therapy based on engineered scaffold proteins, i.e. affibody molecules. We designed a small construct (22.5 kDa, denoted 3A3), consisting of two high-affinity anti-HER3 affibody molecules flanking an albumin-binding domain ABD, which was introduced for prolonged residence in circulation. In vitro, 3A3 efficiently inhibited growth of HER3-expressing BxPC-3 cells. Biodistribution in mice was measured using 3A3 that was site-specifically labelled with 111In via a DOTA chelator. The residence time of 111In-DOTA-3A3 in blood was extended when compared with the monomeric affibody molecule. 111In-DOTA-3A3 accumulated specifically in HER3-expressing BxPC-3 xenografts in mice. However, 111In-DOTA-3A3 cleared more rapidly from blood than a size-matched control construct 111In-DOTA-TAT, most likely due to sequestering of 3A3 by mErbB3, the murine counterpart of HER3. Repeated dosing and increase of injected protein dose decreased uptake of 111In-DOTA-3A3 in mErbB3-expressing tissues. Encouragingly, growth of BxPC-3 xenografts in mice was delayed in an experimental (pilot-scale) therapy study using 3A3. We conclude that the 3A3 affibody format seems promising for treatment of HER3-overexpressing tumours.
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54
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Garousi J, Honarvar H, Andersson KG, Mitran B, Orlova A, Buijs J, Löfblom J, Frejd FY, Tolmachev V. Comparative Evaluation of Affibody Molecules for Radionuclide Imaging of in Vivo Expression of Carbonic Anhydrase IX. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:3676-3687. [PMID: 27529191 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is documented for chronically hypoxic malignant tumors as well as for normoxic renal cell carcinoma. Radionuclide molecular imaging of CAIX would be useful for detection of hypoxic areas in malignant tumors, for patients' stratification for CAIX-targeted therapies, and for discrimination of primary malignant and benign renal tumors. Earlier, we have reported feasibility of in vivo radionuclide based imaging of CAIX expressing tumors using Affibody molecules, small affinity proteins based on a nonimmunoglobulin scaffold. In this study, we compared imaging properties of several anti-CAIX Affibody molecules having identical scaffold parts and competing for the same epitope on CAIX, but having different binding paratopes. Four variants were labeled using residualizing 99mTc and nonresidualizing 125I labels. All radiolabeled variants demonstrated high-affinity detection of CAIX-expressing cell line SK-RC-52 in vitro and specific accumulation in SK-RC-52 xenografts in vivo. 125I-labeled conjugates demonstrated much lower radioactivity uptake in kidneys but higher radioactivity concentration in blood compared with 99mTc-labeled counterparts. Although all variants cleared rapidly from blood and nonspecific compartments, there was noticeable difference in their biodistribution. The best variant for imaging of expression of CAIX in disseminated cancer was 99mTc-(HE)3-ZCAIX:2 providing tumor uptake of 16.3 ± 0.9% ID/g and tumor-to-blood ratio of 44 ± 7 at 4 h after injection. For primary renal cell carcinoma, the most promising imaging candidate was 125I-ZCAIX:4 providing tumor-kidney ratio of 2.1 ± 0.5. In conclusion, several clones of scaffold proteins should be evaluated to select the best variant for development of an imaging probe with optimal sensitivity for the intended application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75285 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75285 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ken G Andersson
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jos Buijs
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75285 Uppsala, Sweden.,Ridgeview Instruments AB , SE-74020 Vänge, Sweden
| | - John Löfblom
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Y Frejd
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75285 Uppsala, Sweden.,Affibody AB , SE-171 63 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75285 Uppsala, Sweden
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Malm M, Frejd FY, Ståhl S, Löfblom J. Targeting HER3 using mono- and bispecific antibodies or alternative scaffolds. MAbs 2016; 8:1195-1209. [PMID: 27532938 PMCID: PMC5058629 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1212147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) has in recent years been recognized as a key node in the complex signaling network of many different cancers. It is implicated in de novo and acquired resistance against therapies targeting other growth factor receptors, e.g., EGFR, HER2, and it is a major activator of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Consequently, HER3 has attracted substantial attention, and is today a key target for drugs in clinical development. Sophisticated protein engineering approaches have enabled the generation of a range of different affinity proteins targeting this receptor, including antibodies and alternative scaffolds that are either mono- or bispecific. Here, we describe HER3 and its role as a key tumor target, and give a comprehensive review of HER3-targeted proteins currently in development, including discussions on the opportunities and challenges of targeting this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Malm
- a Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE , Stockholm
| | - Fredrik Y Frejd
- b Affibody AB, SE, Stockholm , Sweden.,c Department of Immunology , Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Stefan Ståhl
- a Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE , Stockholm
| | - John Löfblom
- a Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE , Stockholm
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56
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Da Pieve C, Allott L, Martins CD, Vardon A, Ciobota DM, Kramer-Marek G, Smith G. Efficient [(18)F]AlF Radiolabeling of ZHER3:8698 Affibody Molecule for Imaging of HER3 Positive Tumors. Bioconjug Chem 2016; 27:1839-49. [PMID: 27357023 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is overexpressed in several cancers, being linked to a more resistant phenotype and hence leading to poor patient prognosis. Imaging HER3 is challenging owing to the modest receptor number (<50000 receptors/cell) in overexpressing cancer cells. Therefore, to image HER3 in vivo, high target affinity PET probes need to be developed. This work describes two different [(18)F]AlF radiolabeling strategies of the ZHER3:8698 affibody molecule specifically targeting HER3. The one-pot radiolabeling of ZHER3:8698 performed at 100 °C and using 1,4,7-triazanonane-1,4,7-triacetate (NOTA) as chelator resulted in radiolabeled products with variable purity attributed to radioconjugate thermolysis. An alternative approach based on the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction between a novel tetrazine functionalized 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4-diacetate (NODA) chelator and the trans-cyclooctene (TCO) functionalized affibody molecule was also investigated. This method enabled the radiolabeling of the protein at room temperature. The [(18)F]AlF-NOTA-ZHER3:8698 and [(18)F]AlF-NODA-ZHER3:8698 conjugates showed a specific uptake at 1 h after injection in high HER3-expressing MCF-7 tumors of 4.36 ± 0.92% ID/g and 4.96 ± 0.65% ID/g, respectively. The current results are encouraging for further investigation of [(18)F]AlF-NOTA-ZHER3:8698 as a HER3 imaging agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Da Pieve
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
| | - Louis Allott
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
| | - Carlos D Martins
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
| | - Andrew Vardon
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
| | - Daniela M Ciobota
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
| | - Gabriela Kramer-Marek
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
| | - Graham Smith
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research , 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP, U.K
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