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Bai Z, Xie X, Li C, Wang Y, Wang Y, Li H, Gao R, Jia B. Claudin18.2-Targeted SPECT/CT Imaging for Gastric Cancer: Preclinical Evaluation and Clinical Translation of the 99mTc-Labeled Nanobody (PHG102) Radiotracer. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2465-2475. [PMID: 39144570 PMCID: PMC11320725 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) has emerged as a significant target in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The screening of patients positive for CLDN18.2 is crucial for the effective application of targeted therapies specific to CLND18.2. In this study, we developed a novel nanobody-based probe, [99mTc]Tc-PHG102, for use in nuclear medicine. We analyzed its radiochemical yield and stability to ensure accurate probe characterization. Additionally, we assessed the probe's affinity and specificity toward the CLDN18.2 target and evaluated its efficacy in the BGC82318.2 xenograft model for SPECT/CT imaging of gastric cancer. The binding of [99mTc]Tc-PHG102 to HEK-293T18.2 and BGC82318.2 cells was notably higher than its binding to HEK-293T18.1, HEK-293T, and BGC823 cells, with bound values of 12.87 ± 1.46%, 6.16 ± 0.34%, 1.25 ± 0.22%, 1.14 ± 0.26%, and 1.32 ± 0.07% AD, respectively. The binding ability of [99mTc]Tc-PHG102 was significantly different between CLDN18.2-positive and negative cells (P < 0.001). Imaging results demonstrated a time-dependent tumor accumulation of the radiotracer. Notably, at 0.5 h postinjection, rapid accumulation was observed with an average tumor uptake of 4.63 ± 0.81% ID/cc (n = 3), resulting in clear tumor visualization. By 1 h postinjection, as [99mTc]Tc-PHG102 was rapidly metabolized, a decrease in uptake by other organs was noted. Preliminary clinical imaging trials further confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the probe, indicating specificity for lesions expressing CLDN18.2 in gastric cancer and favorable in vivo metabolic properties. In conclusion, the nanobody-based probe [99mTc]Tc-PHG102 proves to be a safe and effective tool for detecting CLDN18.2 expression levels in gastric cancer tumors and for screening CLDN18.2-positive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Bai
- Department
of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 277W Yanta Road, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Chenzhen Li
- Department
of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Department
of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuanbo Wang
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 277W Yanta Road, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Huijie Li
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 277W Yanta Road, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 277W Yanta Road, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Bing Jia
- Department
of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Fassan M, Kuwata T, Matkowskyj KA, Röcken C, Rüschoff J. Claudin-18.2 Immunohistochemical Evaluation in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinomas to Direct Targeted Therapy: A Practical Approach. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100589. [PMID: 39098518 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry is a new biomarker for gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas that will soon have market authorization for implementation into routine clinical practice. Despite successful testing in the setting of clinical trials, no specific practical testing guidelines have been proposed. Several preanalytical and analytical variables may interfere with adequate CLDN18.2 staining interpretation; thus, this article provides practical guidance on CLDN18.2 testing and scoring in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas to identify patients who may respond to targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies directed against CLDN18.2. Based on available data, moderate to strong (2+/3+) membrane staining in ≥75% of adenocarcinoma cells is the proposed cutoff for clinical use of monoclonal antibody anti-CLDN18.2 (zolbetuximab).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Takeshi Kuwata
- Department of Medical Genetics and Services, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, University-Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Josef Rüschoff
- Discovery Life Sciences Biomarker Services, Kassel, Germany
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Ogawa H, Abe H, Yagi K, Seto Y, Ushiku T. Claudin-18 status and its correlation with HER2 and PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. Gastric Cancer 2024; 27:802-810. [PMID: 38724721 PMCID: PMC11193835 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-024-01505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination (PD) has a dismal prognosis, and current treatments have shown little efficacy. CLDN18.2-targeted therapies have shown promising efficacy against gastric cancers that express high levels of CLDN18. Because of the limited information regarding CLDN18.2 status in PD, we analyzed PD-positive gastric cancers for CLDN18 status in both primary and PD, along with HER2 and PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS). METHODS Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on 84 gastric cancer cases using paired primary and PD tissue samples. RESULTS At 40% cut-off, CLDN18 was positive in 57% (48/84) primary tumors and in 44% (37/84) PDs. At 75% cut-off, 28.6% (24/84) primary tumors and 20.2% (17/84) PDs were CLDN18-positive. The concordance rate between primary tumors and PD was 79.8% at 40% cut-off and 75% at 75% cut-off. When comparing biopsy and surgical specimens, the concordance rates were 87.5% at 40% cut-off and 81.3% at 75% cut-off. Within a tumor, the superficial area tended to have a higher CLDN18-positive rate than the invasive front (P = 0.001). Although HER2 -positivity was only 11.9% in this cohort, CLDN18 positivity in HER2-negative tumors (n = 74) was relatively high: 60.8% at 40% cut-off and 28.4% at 75% cut-off. Among double-negative (HER2 - and PD-L1 CPS < 1) tumors, CLDN18 positivity was 67.6% at 40% cut-off and 26.5% at 75% cut-off. CONCLUSIONS CLDN18 expression is generally maintained in PD and is relatively high even in double-negative tumors, making it a promising therapeutic target for PD-positive gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Ogawa
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Koichi Yagi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Seto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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Qi C, Guo R, Chen Y, Li C, Liu C, Zhang M, Zhang C, Zhang X, Hou X, Chen B, Jia B, Yang Z, Shen L, Zhu H. 68Ga-NC-BCH Whole-Body PET Imaging Rapidly Targets Claudin18.2 in Lesions in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients. J Nucl Med 2024; 65:856-863. [PMID: 38604764 PMCID: PMC11149600 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.267110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
68Ga-labeled nanobody (68Ga-NC-BCH) is a single-domain antibody-based PET imaging agent. We conducted a first-in-humans study of 68Ga-NC-BCH for PET to determine its in vivo biodistribution, metabolism, radiation dosimetry, safety, and potential for quantifying claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) expression in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Methods: Initially, we synthesized the probe 68Ga-NC-BCH and performed preclinical evaluations on human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines and xenograft mouse models. Next, we performed a translational study with a pilot cohort of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer on a total-body PET/CT scanner. Radiopharmaceutical biodistribution, radiation dosimetry, and the relationship between tumor uptake and CLDN18.2 expression were evaluated. Results: 68Ga-NC-BCH was stably prepared and demonstrated good radiochemical properties. According to preclinical evaluation,68Ga-NC-BCH exhibited rapid blood clearance, high affinity for CLDN18.2, and high specific uptake in CLDN18.2-positive cells and xenograft mouse models. 68Ga-NC-BCH displayed high uptake in the stomach and kidney and slight uptake in the pancreas. Compared with 18F-FDG, 68Ga-NC-BCH showed significant differences in uptake in lesions with different levels of CLDN18.2 expression. Conclusion: A clear correlation was detected between PET SUV and CLDN18.2 expression, suggesting that 68Ga-NC-BCH PET could be used as a companion diagnostic tool for optimizing treatments that target CLDN18.2 in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsong Qi
- Department of Early Drug Development, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Chenzhen Li
- Medical Isotopes Research Center, Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Early Drug Development, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Department of Early Drug Development, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Early Drug Development, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Early Drug Development, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xingguo Hou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Chengdu AlpVHHs Co. Ltd., Chengdou, China
| | - Bing Jia
- Medical Isotopes Research Center, Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Early Drug Development, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China;
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China;
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Angerilli V, Ghelardi F, Nappo F, Grillo F, Parente P, Lonardi S, Luchini C, Pietrantonio F, Ugolini C, Vanoli A, Fassan M. Claudin-18.2 testing and its impact in the therapeutic management of patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas: A literature review with expert opinion. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155145. [PMID: 38277741 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a member of the tight junction protein family and is a highly selective biomarker with frequent abnormal expression during the occurrence and development of various primary malignant tumors, including gastric cancer (GC) and esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinomas (EGJA). For these reasons, CLDN18.2 has been investigated as a therapeutic target for GC/EGJA malignancies. Recently, zolbetuximab has been proposed as a new standard of care for patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced and metastatic GC/EGJA. The use of CLDN18 IHC assays to select patients who might benefit from anti-CLDN18.2 therapy is currently entering clinical practice. In this setting, pathologists play a central role in therapeutic decision-making. Accurate biomarker assessment is essential to ensure the best therapeutic option for patients. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview of available evidence on CLDN18.2 testing and its impact on the therapeutic management of patients with GC/EGJA, as well as some practical suggestions for CLDN18.2 staining interpretation and potential pitfalls in the real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Angerilli
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Ghelardi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Floriana Nappo
- Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy.
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy.
| | - Sara Lonardi
- Medical Oncology 3, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Ugolini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vanoli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
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Wang C, Wang Y, Chen J, Wang Y, Pang C, Liang C, Yuan L, Ma Y. CLDN18.2 expression and its impact on prognosis and the immune microenvironment in gastric cancer. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:283. [PMID: 37582713 PMCID: PMC10428652 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02924-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The investigational use of zolbetuximab (IMAB362), a groundbreaking monoclonal antibody medication targeting claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), for treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancers is currently underway. The unclear clinicopathological characteristics and tumour immune microenvironment of CLDN18.2-positive gastric cancer (GC) make it difficult to develop and optimize CLDN18.2-targeted therapies. METHODS A total of 451 tumour tissues, 342 matched paraneoplastic tissues, and 107 matched metastatic lymph nodes were collected from GC patients. These specimens were stained for CLDN18.2 expression and quantified using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Correlations between CLDN18.2 expression and clinicopathological features as well as immune-related factors were analysed. Survival curves were drawn using the Kaplan‒Meier approach, and independent factors affecting GC prognosis were identified using Cox regression analysis. Information from relevant databases was used for corroboration. RESULTS Expression of the CLDN18.2 gene was significantly lower in gastric tumour tissues than in normal tissues (p < 0.001) but comparable in metastatic lymph nodes (p = 0.851). CLDN18.2 expression was significantly associated with Borrmann type, degree of differentiation, PD-L1 expression, and survival in GC patients and was identified as an independent risk factor for patient prognosis (HR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.16-2.11, p = 0.003). There was no correlation between CLDN18.2 expression and HER2, Lauren type, tumour size, TNM stage, or any other clinicopathological characteristic. In CLDN18.2-positive tumours, fractions of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells were significantly higher than those in CLDN18.2-negative tumours. Patients with CLDN18.2-negative expression and significant CD4 + T-cell or CD8 + T-cell infiltration had the best prognosis (5-year OS: 61.0%, P = 0.036; 5-year OS: 62.2%, P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS CLDN18.2 is expressed at a low level in tumour tissues and serves as an independent prognostic factor for patients with GC. Furthermore, CLDN18.2 correlates with immune infiltrating cells and PD-L1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canming Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yukai Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563006, Guizhou, China
| | - Jinxia Chen
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuhong Pang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yubo Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China.
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