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Li Y, Li XM, Yang KD, Tong WH. Advancements in ovarian cancer immunodiagnostics and therapeutics via phage display technology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1402862. [PMID: 38863706 PMCID: PMC11165035 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1402862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, ranking as the seventh most prevalent malignancy among women globally, faces significant challenges in diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The difficulties in early detection are amplified by the limitations and inefficacies inherent in current screening methodologies, highlighting a pressing need for more efficacious diagnostic and treatment strategies. Phage display technology emerges as a pivotal innovation in this context, utilizing extensive phage-peptide libraries to identify ligands with specificity for cancer cell markers, thus enabling precision-targeted therapeutic strategies. This technology promises a paradigm shift in ovarian cancer management, concentrating on targeted drug delivery systems to improve treatment accuracy and efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Through a meticulous review, this paper evaluates the revolutionary potential of phage display in enhancing ovarian cancer therapy, representing a significant advancement in combating this challenging disease. Phage display technology is heralded as an essential instrument for developing effective immunodiagnostic and therapeutic approaches in ovarian cancer, facilitating early detection, precision-targeted medication, and the implementation of customized treatment plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao-meng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kai-di Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei-hua Tong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Lv X, Song X, Long Y, Zeng D, Lan X, Gai Y. Preclinical evaluation of a dual-receptor targeted tracer [ 68Ga]Ga-HX01 in 10 different subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 51:54-67. [PMID: 37642706 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06412-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The integrin αvβ3 and aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) play vital roles in the tumor angiogenesis process. They are highly expressed in a variety of tumor cells and proliferating endothelial cells during angiogenesis, which have been considered as highly promising targets for tumor imaging. Arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) and asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) are two peptides specifically binding to the integrin αvβ3 and CD13, respectively. In this study, we optimized our previously developed probe and preclinically evaluated the new integrin αvβ3 and CD13 dual-targeted probe, NOTA-RGD-NGR (denoted as HX01) radiolabeled with 68Ga, in 10 different subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models. METHODS The specific activity and radiochemical purity of [68Ga]Ga-HX01 were identified. The dual-receptor targeting ability was confirmed by a series of blocking studies and partly muted tracers using BxPC-3 xenograft model. The dynamic imaging study and dose escalation study were explored to determine the optimal imaging time point and dosage in the BxPC-3 xenograft model. Next, we established a variety of subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models including pancreas (BxPC-3), breast (MCF-7), gallbladder (NOZ), lung (HCC827), ovary (SK-OV-3), colorectal (HCT-8), liver (HuH-7), stomach (NUGC-4), and glioma (U87) cancers. All models underwent [68Ga]Ga-HX01 PET/CT imaging about 2 weeks post-inoculation, with a subset of them undergoing [18F]FDG PET/CT scan performed concurrently, and their results were compared. In addition, ex vivo biodistribution studies were also performed for verifying the semi-quantitative results of the non-invasive PET images. RESULTS [68Ga]Ga-HX01 significantly outperformed single target probes in the BxPC-3 xenograft model. All blocking and single target groups exhibited significantly descending tumor uptake. The high tumor uptakes were found in BxPC-3, MCF-7, and NOZ subcutaneous tumors (%ID/g > 1.1), while middle uptakes were observed in HCC827, SK-OV-3, HCT-8, and HuH-7 subcutaneous tumor (%ID/g 0.7-1.0). Due to the low background, the tumor-to-muscle and tumor-to-blood ratios of [68Ga]Ga-HX01 were higher than that of [18F]FDG. CONCLUSIONS [68Ga]Ga-HX01, as a dual target imaging agent, exhibited superior in vivo performance in different subcutaneous and orthotopic mice models of human tumors over [18F]FDG and its respectively mono-receptor targeted agents, which warrants the future clinical translation for tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Ave 1277, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiangming Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Ave 1277, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Ave 1277, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Dexing Zeng
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Ave 1277, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Yongkang Gai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Ave 1277, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Trencsényi G, Enyedi KN, Mező G, Halmos G, Képes Z. NGR-Based Radiopharmaceuticals for Angiogenesis Imaging: A Preclinical Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12675. [PMID: 37628856 PMCID: PMC10454655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612675] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumour progression and metastatic spread; therefore, the development of specific vectors targeting angiogenesis has attracted the attention of several researchers. Since angiogenesis-associated aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) is highly expressed on the surface of activated endothelial cells of new blood vessels and a wide range of tumour cells, it holds great promise for imaging and therapy in the field of cancer medicine. The selective binding capability of asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) motif containing molecules to APN/CD13 makes radiolabelled NGR peptides promising radiopharmaceuticals for the non-invasive, real-time imaging of APN/CD13 overexpressing malignancies at the molecular level. Preclinical small animal model systems are major keystones for the evaluation of the in vivo imaging behaviour of radiolabelled NGR derivatives. Based on existing literature data, several positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radioisotopes have been applied so far for the labelling of tumour vasculature homing NGR sequences such as Gallium-68 (68Ga), Copper-64 (64Cu), Technetium-99m (99mTc), Lutetium-177 (177Lu), Rhenium-188 (188Re), or Bismuth-213 (213Bi). Herein, a comprehensive overview is provided of the recent preclinical experiences with radiolabelled imaging probes targeting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Trencsényi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Translational Imaging, Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei St. 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Kata Nóra Enyedi
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (K.N.E.); (G.M.)
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Mező
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (K.N.E.); (G.M.)
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Halmos
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei St. 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Zita Képes
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Translational Imaging, Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei St. 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
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Sun L, Gai Y, Li Z, Li H, Li J, Muschler J, Kang R, Tang D, Zeng D. Heterodimeric RGD-NGR PET Tracer for the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:580-589. [PMID: 35229260 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-022-01704-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most lethal gastrointestinal cancer, and its poor prognosis is highly associated with the lack of an efficient early detection technology. Here, we report that RGD-NGR heterodimer labeled with PET isotope could be applied in PDAC early detection. PROCEDURES The RGD-NGR tracer was first compared with its corresponding monomeric counterparts via PET imaging studies using mice bearing a subcutaneous BxPC3 tumor. Subsequently, the RGD-NGR tracer was evaluated in autochthonous mouse models with spontaneously developed late stage PanIN lesions (KCER mice) or PDAC (KPC mice) via both PET imaging studies and ex vivo biodistribution studies. Furthermore, a comparison between 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]F-FDG) and the RGD-NGR tracer was conducted via PET imaging of the same KCH mouse bearing spontaneously developed PDAC. H&E staining was performed to confirm the malignant pancreatic tissue in the KCH mouse. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to confirm the expression of integrin αVβ3 and CD13. RESULTS The RGD-NGR tracer exhibited improved in vivo performance as compared with its corresponding monomeric counterparts on the subcutaneous BxPC3 tumor mouse model. Subsequent evaluation in autochthonous mouse models demonstrated its capability to detect both pre-malignant and malignant pancreases. Further comparison with [18F]F-FDG revealed the superiority of the proposed heterodimer in imaging spontaneously developed PDAC. H&E staining confirmed the malignant pancreatic tissue in the KCH mouse, while the expression of both integrin αVβ3 and CD13 receptors was demonstrated with immunofluorescence staining. CONCLUSION The proposed RGD-NGR heterodimer possesses the potential to be applied in the PDAC early detection for high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyi Sun
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97229, USA.
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Yongkang Gai
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Zhonghan Li
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97229, USA
| | - Huiqiang Li
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jianchun Li
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - John Muschler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97229, USA
| | - Rui Kang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Dexing Zeng
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97229, USA.
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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Zhu L, Ding Z, Li X, Wei H, Chen Y. Research Progress of Radiolabeled Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) Peptides for Imaging and Therapy. Mol Imaging 2021; 19:1536012120934957. [PMID: 32862776 PMCID: PMC7466889 DOI: 10.1177/1536012120934957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motifs have vasculature-homing properties via interactions with the aminopeptidase N (CD13) expressed on tumor neovasculature. Numerous NGR peptides with different molecular scaffolds have been exploited for targeted delivery of different compounds for imaging and therapy. When conjugated with NGR, complexes recognize the CD13 receptor expressed on the tumor vasculature, which improves the specificity to tumor and avoids systematic toxic reactions. Both preclinical and clinical studies performed with these products suggest that NGR-mediated vascular targeting is an effective strategy for delivering bioactive amounts of cytokines to tumor endothelial cells. For molecular imaging, radiolabeled peptides have been the most successful approach and have been translated into clinic. This review describes current data on radiolabeled tumor vasculature-homing NGR peptides for imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 556508The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhikai Ding
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 556508The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingliang Li
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyuan Wei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 556508The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 556508The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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Targeting Tissue Factor to Tumor Vasculature to Induce Tumor Infarction. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112841. [PMID: 34200318 PMCID: PMC8201357 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Among multiple other functional roles of tissue factor (TF) and other coagulation proteins in the development and targeting of malignant disease, some scientific groups are attempting to modify TF and target the molecule or truncated forms of the molecule to tumor vasculature to selectively induce local blood vessel thromboembolic occlusion resulting in tumor infarction. This review briefly describes the characteristics and development of some of these proteins and structures, including tTF-NGR, which as the first drug candidate from this class has entered clinical trials in cancer patients. Abstract Besides its central functional role in coagulation, TF has been described as being operational in the development of malignancies and is currently being studied as a possible therapeutic tool against cancer. One of the avenues being explored is retargeting TF or its truncated extracellular part (tTF) to the tumor vasculature to induce tumor vessel occlusion and tumor infarction. To this end, multiple structures on tumor vascular wall cells have been studied at which tTF has been aimed via antibodies, derivatives, or as bifunctional fusion protein through targeting peptides. Among these targets were vascular adhesion molecules, oncofetal variants of fibronectin, prostate-specific membrane antigens, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and co-receptors, integrins, fibroblast activation proteins, NG2 proteoglycan, microthrombus-associated fibrin-fibronectin, and aminopeptidase N. Targeting was also attempted toward cellular membranes within an acidic milieu or toward necrotic tumor areas. tTF-NGR, targeting tTF primarily at aminopeptidase N on angiogenic endothelial cells, was the first drug candidate from this emerging class of coaguligands translated to clinical studies in cancer patients. Upon completion of a phase I study, tTF-NGR entered randomized studies in oncology to test the therapeutic impact of this novel therapeutic modality.
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Yang Y, Zhang J, Zou H, Shen Y, Deng S, Wu Y. Synthesis and evaluation of 68Ga-labeled dimeric cNGR peptide for PET imaging of CD13 expression with ovarian cancer xenograft. J Cancer 2021; 12:244-252. [PMID: 33391421 PMCID: PMC7738837 DOI: 10.7150/jca.49628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have shown that peptides containing the asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) sequence can specifically bind to CD13 (aminopeptidase N) receptor, a tumor neovascular biomarker that is over-expressed on the surface of angiogenic blood vessels and various tumor cells, and it plays an important role in angiogenesis and tumor progression. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled dimeric cyclic NGR (cNGR) peptide as a new molecular probe that binds to CD13 in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: A dimeric cNGR peptide conjugated with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) was synthesized and labeled with 68Ga. In vitro uptake and binding analyses of the 68Ga- DOTA-c(NGR)2 were performed in two ovarian tumor cell lines, ES2 and SKOV3, which had different CD13 expression patterns. An in vivo biodistribution study was performed in normal mice, and micro positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was conducted in nude mice bearing ES2 and SKOV3 tumors. Results:68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 was prepared with high radiochemical purity (>95%), and it was stable both in saline at room temperature and in bovine serum at 37°C for 3 h. In vitro studies showed that the uptake of 68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 in ES2 cells was higher compared with SKOV3 cells, and such uptake could be blocked by the cold DOTA-c(NGR)2. Biodistribution studies demonstrated that 68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 was rapidly cleared from blood and mainly excreted from the kidney. MicroPET imaging of ES2 tumor xenografts showed the focal uptake of 68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 in tumors from 1 to 1.5 h post-injection. The high-contrast tumor visualization occurred at 1 h, corresponding to the highest tumor/background ratio of 10.30±0.26. The CD13-specific tumor targeting of the 68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 was further supported by the reduced uptake of the probe in ES2 tumors by co-injection of the unlabeled cold peptide. In SKOV3 tumor models, the tumor was not obviously visible under the same imaging conditions. Conclusions:68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 was easily synthesized, and it showed favorable CD13-specific targeting ability by in vitro data and microPET imaging with ovarian cancer xenografts. Collectively, 68Ga-DOTA-c(NGR)2 might be a potential PET imaging probe for non-invasive evaluation of the CD13 receptor expression in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Affiliated Suzhou Science & Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215153, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, China
| | - Huifeng Zou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Affiliated Suzhou Science & Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215153, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Affiliated Suzhou Science & Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215153, China
| | - Shengming Deng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Yiwei Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
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First-In-Class CD13-Targeted Tissue Factor tTF-NGR in Patients with Recurrent or Refractory Malignant Tumors: Results of a Phase I Dose-Escalation Study. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061488. [PMID: 32517329 PMCID: PMC7352358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Aminopeptidase N (CD13) is present on tumor vasculature cells and some tumor cells. Truncated tissue factor (tTF) with a C-terminal NGR-peptide (tTF-NGR) binds to CD13 and causes tumor vascular thrombosis with infarction. Methods: We treated 17 patients with advanced cancer beyond standard therapies in a phase I study with tTF-NGR (1-h infusion, central venous access, 5 consecutive days, and rest periods of 2 weeks). The study allowed intraindividual dose escalations between cycles and established Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) and Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) by verification cohorts. Results: MTD was 3 mg/m2 tTF-NGR/day × 5, q day 22. DLT was an isolated and reversible elevation of high sensitivity (hs) Troponin T hs without clinical sequelae. Three thromboembolic events (grade 2), tTF-NGR-related besides other relevant risk factors, were reversible upon anticoagulation. Imaging by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed major tumor-specific reduction of blood flow in all measurable lesions as proof of principle for the mode of action of tTF-NGR. There were no responses as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), although some lesions showed intratumoral hemorrhage and necrosis after tTF-NGR application. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a t1/2(terminal) of 8 to 9 h without accumulation in daily administrations. Conclusion: tTF-NGR is safely applicable with this regimen. Imaging showed selective reduction of tumor blood flow and intratumoral hemorrhage and necrosis.
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Brand C, Greve B, Bölling T, Eich HT, Willich N, Harrach S, Hintelmann H, Lenz G, Mesters RM, Kessler T, Schliemann C, Berdel WE, Schwöppe C. Radiation synergizes with antitumor activity of CD13-targeted tissue factor in a HT1080 xenograft model of human soft tissue sarcoma. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229271. [PMID: 32084238 PMCID: PMC7034830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Truncated tissue factor (tTF) retargeted by NGR-peptides to aminopeptidase N (CD13) in tumor vasculature is effective in experimental tumor therapy. tTF-NGR induces tumor growth inhibition in a variety of human tumor xenografts of different histology. To improve on the therapeutic efficacy we have combined tTF-NGR with radiotherapy. METHODS Serum-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human HT1080 sarcoma cells were irradiated in vitro, and upregulated early-apoptotic phosphatidylserine (PS) on the cell surface was measured by standard flow cytometry. Increase of cellular procoagulant function in relation to irradiation and PS cell surface concentration was measured in a tTF-NGR-dependent Factor X activation assay. In vivo experiments with CD-1 athymic mice bearing human HT1080 sarcoma xenotransplants were performed to test the systemic therapeutic effects of tTF-NGR on tumor growth alone or in combination with regional tumor ionizing radiotherapy. RESULTS As shown by flow cytometry with HUVEC and HT1080 sarcoma cells in vitro, irradiation with 4 and 6 Gy in the process of apoptosis induced upregulation of PS presence on the outer surface of both cell types. Proapoptotic HUVEC and HT1080 cells both showed significantly higher procoagulant efficacy on the basis of equimolar concentrations of tTF-NGR as measured by FX activation. This effect can be reverted by masking of PS with Annexin V. HT1080 human sarcoma xenografted tumors showed shrinkage induced by combined regional radiotherapy and systemic tTF-NGR as compared to growth inhibition achieved by either of the treatment modalities alone. CONCLUSIONS Irradiation renders tumor and tumor vascular cells procoagulant by PS upregulation on their outer surface and radiotherapy can significantly improve the therapeutic antitumor efficacy of tTF-NGR in the xenograft model used. This synergistic effect will influence design of future clinical combination studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Brand
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Burkhard Greve
- Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation-Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Tobias Bölling
- Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation-Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Hans T. Eich
- Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation-Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Normann Willich
- Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation-Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Saliha Harrach
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Heike Hintelmann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Rolf M. Mesters
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Torsten Kessler
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E. Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- * E-mail: (CSch); (WEB)
| | - Christian Schwöppe
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- * E-mail: (CSch); (WEB)
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Kessler T, Baumeier A, Brand C, Grau M, Angenendt L, Harrach S, Stalmann U, Schmidt LH, Gosheger G, Hardes J, Andreou D, Dreischalück J, Lenz G, Wardelmann E, Mesters RM, Schwöppe C, Berdel WE, Hartmann W, Schliemann C. Aminopeptidase N (CD13): Expression, Prognostic Impact, and Use as Therapeutic Target for Tissue Factor Induced Tumor Vascular Infarction in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Transl Oncol 2018; 11:1271-1282. [PMID: 30125801 PMCID: PMC6113655 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminopeptidase N (CD13) is expressed on tumor vasculature and tumor cells. It represents a candidate for targeted therapy, e.g., by truncated tissue factor (tTF)-NGR, binding to CD13, and causing tumor vascular thrombosis. We analyzed CD13 expression by immunohistochemistry in 97 patients with STS who were treated by wide resection and uniform chemo-radio-chemotherapy. Using a semiquantitative score with four intensity levels, CD13 was expressed by tumor vasculature, or tumor cells, or both (composite value, intensity scores 1-3) in 93.9% of the STS. In 49.5% tumor cells, in 48.5% vascular/perivascular cells, and in 58.8%, composite value showed strong intensity score 3 staining. Leiomyosarcoma and synovial sarcoma showed low expression; fibrosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma showed high expression. We found a significant prognostic impact of CD13, as high expression in tumor cells or vascular/perivascular cells correlated with better relapse-free survival and overall survival. CD13 retained prognostic significance in multivariable analyses. Systemic tTF-NGR resulted in significant growth reduction of CD13-positive human HT1080 sarcoma cell line xenografts. Our results recommend further investigation of tTF-NGR in STS patients. CD13 might be a suitable predictive biomarker for patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Kessler
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
| | - Ariane Baumeier
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Caroline Brand
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Michael Grau
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Linus Angenendt
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Saliha Harrach
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ursula Stalmann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lars Henning Schmidt
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Gosheger
- Department of Orthopedics and Tumor-Orthopedics, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Jendrik Hardes
- Department of Orthopedics and Tumor-Orthopedics, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Dimosthenis Andreou
- Department of Orthopedics and Tumor-Orthopedics, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Johannes Dreischalück
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Sankt Elisabeth Hospital Guetersloh, Guetersloh
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; Translational Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, Muenster, Germany
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Rolf M Mesters
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christian Schwöppe
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, Muenster, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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11
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Meng Y, Zhang Z, Liu K, Ye L, Liang Y, Gu W. Aminopeptidase N (CD13) targeted MR and NIRF dual-modal imaging of ovarian tumor xenograft. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2018; 93:968-974. [PMID: 30274135 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The development of tumor-specific imaging nanoprobes with the potential to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis has become an area of intense research. Aminopeptidase N (CD13) predominantly expresses on the surface of ovarian tumor cells and can be specifically recognized by Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) peptide. The applicability of CD13 as a target for specific ovarian tumor imaging, however, remains unexploited so far. In this study, Cy5.5-labeled, NGR-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles (Cy5.5-NGR-Fe3O4 NPs) were prepared as an ovarian tumor specific bimodal imaging nanoprobe. It is demonstrated that the conjugation of NGR targeting moiety leads to a higher cellular uptake toward ES-2 cells, the human ovarian carcinoma cells that highly express CD13. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging of ovarian tumor xenograft reveals that the Fe3O4-Cy5.5-NGR NPs results in a significant T2* signal reduction in the tumor. Meanwhile, near infrared fluorescence imaging indicates a higher accumulation of Fe3O4-Cy5.5-NGR NPs in the tumor xenograft. Therefore, CD13 could be applied as a novel and efficient target for constructing ovarian tumor specific nanoprobes with improved accuracy for ovarian tumor diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Meng
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, PR China
| | - Zixin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, PR China
| | - Kang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Ling Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Yuting Liang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, PR China.
| | - Wei Gu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
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12
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Stucke-Ring J, Ronnacker J, Brand C, Höltke C, Schliemann C, Kessler T, Schmidt LH, Harrach S, Mantke V, Hintelmann H, Hartmann W, Wardelmann E, Lenz G, Wünsch B, Müller-Tidow C, Mesters RM, Schwöppe C, Berdel WE. Combinatorial effects of doxorubicin and retargeted tissue factor by intratumoral entrapment of doxorubicin and proapoptotic increase of tumor vascular infarction. Oncotarget 2018; 7:82458-82472. [PMID: 27738341 PMCID: PMC5347705 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Truncated tissue factor (tTF), retargeted to tumor vasculature by GNGRAHA peptide (tTF-NGR), and doxorubicin have therapeutic activity against a variety of tumors. We report on combination experiments of both drugs using different schedules. We have tested fluorescence- and HPLC-based intratumoral pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin, flow cytometry for cellular phosphatidylserine (PS) expression, and tumor xenograft studies for showing in vivo apoptosis, proliferation decrease, and tumor shrinkage upon combination therapy with doxorubicin and induced tumor vascular infarction. tTF-NGR given before doxorubicin inhibits the uptake of the drug into human fibrosarcoma xenografts in vivo. Reverse sequence does not influence the uptake of doxorubicin into tumor, but significantly inhibits the late wash-out phase, thus entrapping doxorubicin in tumor tissue by vascular occlusion. Incubation of endothelial and tumor cells with doxorubicin in vitro increases PS concentrations in the outer layer of the cell membrane as a sign of early apoptosis. Cells expressing increased PS concentrations show comparatively higher procoagulatory efficacy on the basis of equimolar tTF-NGR present in the Factor X assay. Experiments using human M21 melanoma and HT1080 fibrosarcoma xenografts in athymic nude mice indeed show a combinatorial tumor growth inhibition applying doxorubicin and tTF-NGR in sequence over single drug treatment. Combination of cytotoxic drugs such as doxorubicin with tTF-NGR-induced tumor vessel infarction can improve pharmacodynamics of the drugs by new mechanisms, entrapping a cytotoxic molecule inside tumor tissue and reciprocally improving procoagulatory activity of tTF-NGR in the tumor vasculature via apoptosis induction in tumor endothelial and tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Stucke-Ring
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Julian Ronnacker
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Caroline Brand
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Carsten Höltke
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Torsten Kessler
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lars Henning Schmidt
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Saliha Harrach
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Verena Mantke
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Heike Hintelmann
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Gerhard-Domagk Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Westfalian Wilhelms-University, Muenster, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Rolf M Mesters
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christian Schwöppe
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A (Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pneumology), University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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13
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Satpati D, Sharma R, Sarma HD, Dash A. Comparative evaluation of 68 Ga-labeled NODAGA, DOTAGA, and HBED-CC-conjugated cNGR peptide chelates as tumor-targeted molecular imaging probes. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 91:781-788. [PMID: 29130625 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The biological behavior of 68 Ga-based radiopharmaceuticals can be significantly affected by the chelators' attributes (size, charge, lipophilicity). Thus, this study aimed at examining the influence of three different chelators, DOTAGA, NODAGA, and HBED-CC on the distribution pattern of 68 Ga-labeled NGR peptides targeting CD13 receptors. 68 Ga-DOTAGA-c(NGR), 68 Ga-NODAGA-c(NGR), and 68 Ga-HBED-CC-c(NGR) were observed to be hydrophilic with respective log p values being -3.5 ± 0.2, -3.3 ± 0.08, and -2.8 ± 0.14. The three radiotracers exhibited nearly similar uptake in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 tumor cells with 86%, 63%, and 33% reduction during blocking studies with unlabeled cNGR peptide for 68 Ga-DOTAGA-c(NGR), 68 Ga-NODAGA-c(NGR), and 68 Ga-HBED-CC-c(NGR), respectively, indicating higher receptor specificity of the first two radiotracers. The neutral radiotracer 68 Ga-NODAGA-c(NGR) demonstrated better target-to-non-target ratios during in vivo studies compared to its negatively charged counterparts, 68 Ga-DOTAGA-c(NGR) and 68 Ga-HBED-CC-c(NGR). The three radiotracers had similar HT-1080 tumor uptake and being hydrophilic exhibited renal excretion with minimal uptake in non-target organs. Significant reduction (p < .005) in HT-1080 tumor uptake of the radiotracers was observed during blocking studies. It may be inferred from these studies that the three radiotracers are promising probes for in vivo imaging of CD13 receptor expressing cancer sites; however, 68 Ga-NODAGA-c(NGR) is a better candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drishty Satpati
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Haladhar Dev Sarma
- Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Ashutosh Dash
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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14
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Ma W, Shao Y, Yang W, Li G, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Zuo C, Chen K, Wang J. Evaluation of (188)Re-labeled NGR-VEGI protein for radioimaging and radiotherapy in mice bearing human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 xenografts. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:9121-9. [PMID: 26768609 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-4810-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) is an anti-angiogenic protein, which includes three isoforms: VEGI-174, VEGI-192, and VEGI-251. The NGR (asparagine-glycine-arginine)-containing peptides can specifically bind to CD13 (Aminopeptidase N) receptor which is overexpressed in angiogenic blood vessels and tumor cells. In this study, a novel NGR-VEGI fusion protein was prepared and labeled with (188)Re for radioimaging and radiotherapy in mice bearing human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 xenografts. Single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging results revealed that (188)Re-NGR-VEGI exhibits good tumor-to-background contrast in CD13-positive HT-1080 tumor xenografts. The CD13 specificity of (188)Re-NGR-VEGI was further verified by significant reduction of tumor uptake in HT-1080 tumor xenografts with co-injection of the non-radiolabeled NGR-VEGI protein. The biodistribution results demonstrated good tumor-to-muscle ratio (4.98 ± 0.25) of (188)Re-NGR-VEGI at 24 h, which is consistent with the results from SPECT imaging. For radiotherapy, 18.5 MBq of (188)Re-NGR-VEGI showed excellent tumor inhibition effect in HT-1080 tumor xenografts with no observable toxicity, which was confirmed by the tumor size change and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of major mouse organs. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that (188)Re-NGR-VEGI has the potential as a theranostic agent for CD13-targeted tumor imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, CSC 103, Los Angeles, CA, 90033-9061, USA
| | - Yahui Shao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital of Jinan Military Region, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Weidong Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Guiyu Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Yingqi Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mingru Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Changjing Zuo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, CSC 103, Los Angeles, CA, 90033-9061, USA.
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
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15
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Brand C, Fröhlich M, Ring J, Schliemann C, Kessler T, Mantke V, König S, Lücke M, Mesters RM, Berdel WE, Schwöppe C. Tumor Growth Inhibition via Occlusion of Tumor Vasculature Induced by N-Terminally PEGylated Retargeted Tissue Factor tTF-NGR. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:3749-58. [PMID: 26310827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
tTF-NGR retargets the extracellular domain of tissue factor via a C-terminal peptide GNGRAHA, a ligand of the surface protein aminopeptidase N (CD13) and upon deamidation of integrin αvβ3, to tumor vasculature. tTF-NGR induces tumor vascular infarction with consecutive antitumor activity against xenografts and selectively inhibits tumor blood flow in cancer patients. Since random PEGylation resulted in favorable pharmacodynamics of tTF-NGR, we performed site-directed PEGylation of PEG units to the N-terminus of tTF-NGR to further improve the antitumor profile of the molecule. Mono-PEGylation to the N-terminus did not change the procoagulatory activity of the tTF-NGR molecule as measured by Factor X activation. Experiments to characterize pharmacokinetics in mice showed a more than 1 log step higher mean area under the curve of PEG20k-tTF-NGR over tTF-NGR. Acute (24 h) tolerability upon intravenous application for the mono-PEGylated versus non-PEGylated tTF-NGR compounds was comparable. PEG20k-tTF-NGR showed clear antitumor efficacy in vivo against human tumor xenografts when systemically applied. However, site-directed mono-PEGylation to the N-terminus does not unequivocally improve the therapeutic profile of tTF-NGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Brand
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Max Fröhlich
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Janine Ring
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Torsten Kessler
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Verena Mantke
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Simone König
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Martin Lücke
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Rolf M Mesters
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Christian Schwöppe
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, ‡Integrated Functional Genomics (IZKF Muenster), and §Central Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Muenster , Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, D-48129 Muenster, Germany
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16
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Kim DW, Kim WH, Kim MH, Kim CG. Synthesis and evaluation of novel Tc-99m labeled NGR-containing hexapeptides as tumor imaging agents. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2015; 58:30-5. [PMID: 25583160 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR)-containing peptides targeting aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 can be an excellent candidate for targeting ligands in molecular tumor imaging. In this study, we developed two NGR-containing hexapeptides, and evaluated the diagnostic performance of Tc-99m labeled hexapeptides as molecular imaging agents in an HT-1080 fibrosarcoma-bearing murine model. Peptides were synthesized using Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis. Radiochemical purity of Tc-99m was evaluated using instant thin-layer chromatography. The uptake of two NGR-containing hexapeptides within HT-1080 cells was evaluated in vitro. In HT-1080 fibrosarcoma tumor-bearing mice, gamma images were acquired. A biodistribution study was performed to calculate percentage of the injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). Two hexapeptides, glutamic acid-cysteine-glycine (ECG)-NGR and NGR-ECG were successfully synthesized. After radiolabeling procedures with Tc-99m, the complexes Tc-99m hexapeptides were prepared in high yield. The uptake of Tc-99m ECG-NGR within the tumor cells had been assured by in vitro studies. The gamma camera imaging in the murine model showed that Tc-99m ECG-NGR was accumulated substantially in the subcutaneously engrafted tumor. However, Tc-99m NGR-ECG was accumulated minimally in the tumor. Two NGR-containing hexapeptides, ECG-NGR and NGR-ECG were developed as molecular imaging agents to target APN/CD13 in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma. Tc-99m ECG-NGR showed a significant uptake in the tumor, and it is a good candidate for tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae-Weung Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea; Research Unit of Molecular Imaging Agent (RUMIA), Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
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17
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Máté G, Kertész I, Enyedi KN, Mező G, Angyal J, Vasas N, Kis A, Szabó É, Emri M, Bíró T, Galuska L, Trencsényi G. In vivo imaging of Aminopeptidase N (CD13) receptors in experimental renal tumors using the novel radiotracer (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR). Eur J Pharm Sci 2015; 69:61-71. [PMID: 25592229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) plays an important role in tumor neoangiogenic process and the development of metastases. Furthermore, it may serve as a potential target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Previous studies have already shown that asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) peptides specifically bind to APN/CD13. The aim of the study was to synthesize and investigate the APN/CD13 specificity of a novel (68)Ga-labeled NOTA-c(NGR) molecule in vivo using miniPET. METHODS c[KNGRE]-NH2 peptide was conjugated with p-SCN-Bn-NOTA and was labeled with Ga-68 ((68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR)). Orthotopic and heterotopic transplanted mesoblastic nephroma (NeDe) bearing Fischer-344 rats were prepared, on which biodistribution studies and miniPET scans were performed for both (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) and ανβ3 integrin selective (68)Ga-NODAGA-[c(RGD)]2 tracers. APN/CD13 receptor expression of NeDe tumors and metastases was analyzed by western blot. RESULTS (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) was produced with high specific activity (5.13-5.92GBq/μmol) and with excellent radiochemical purity (95%<), at all cases. Biodistribution studies in normal rats showed that uptake of the (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) was significantly (p⩽0.05) lower in abdominal organs in comparison with (68)Ga-NODAGA-[c(RGD)]2. Both radiotracers were mainly excreted from the kidney. In NeDe tumor bearing rats higher (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) accumulation was found in the tumors than that of the (68)Ga-NODAGA-[c(RGD)]2. Using orthotopic transplantation, metastases were developed which showed specific (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) uptake. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of APN/CD13 expression in NeDe tumors and metastases. CONCLUSION Our novel radiotracer (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) showed specific binding to the APN/CD13 expressed ortho- and heterotopic transplanted NeDe tumors. Therefore, (68)Ga-NOTA-c(NGR) is a suitable tracer for the detection of APN/CD13 positive tumors and metastases in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Máté
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Kertész
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Kata Nóra Enyedi
- MTA-ELTE, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös L. University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös L. University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Angyal
- Department of Periodontology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Vasas
- Department of Physiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Kis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Éva Szabó
- Department of Periodontology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miklós Emri
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Bíró
- Department of Physiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Galuska
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - György Trencsényi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary; Scanomed LTD, Debrecen, Hungary.
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18
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Shao Y, Liang W, Kang F, Yang W, Ma X, Li G, Zong S, Chen K, Wang J. A direct comparison of tumor angiogenesis with ⁶⁸Ga-labeled NGR and RGD peptides in HT-1080 tumor xenografts using microPET imaging. Amino Acids 2014; 46:2355-64. [PMID: 24990522 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1788-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Peptides containing asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence are being developed for tumor angiogenesis-targeted imaging and therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of NGR- and RGD-based probes for imaging tumor angiogenesis in HT-1080 tumor xenografts. Two PET probes, (68)Ga-NOTA-G₃-NGR2 and ⁶⁸Ga-NOTA-G₃-RGD2, were successfully prepared. In vitro stability, partition coefficient, tumor cell binding, as well as in vivo biodistribution properties were also analyzed for both PET probes. The results revealed that the two probes were both hydrophilic and stable in vitro and in vivo, and they were excreted predominately and rapidly through the kidneys. For both probes, the higher tumor uptake and lower accumulation in vital organs were determined. No significant difference between two probes was observed in terms of tumor uptake and the in vivo biodistribution properties. We concluded that these two probes are promising in tumor angiogenesis imaging. ⁶⁸Ga-NOTA-G₃-NGR2 has the potential as an alternative for PET imaging in patients with fibrosarcoma, and it may offer an opportunity to noninvasively monitor CD13-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Shao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 15 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
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19
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D'Onofrio N, Caraglia M, Grimaldi A, Marfella R, Servillo L, Paolisso G, Balestrieri ML. Vascular-homing peptides for targeted drug delivery and molecular imaging: meeting the clinical challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1846:1-12. [PMID: 24704283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The vasculature of each organ expresses distinct molecular signatures critically influenced by the pathological status. The heterogeneous profile of the vascular beds has been successfully unveiled by the in vivo phage display, a high-throughput tool for mapping normal, diseased, and tumor vasculature. Specific challenges of this growing field are targeted therapies against cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as novel bioimaging diagnostic tools. Tumor vasculature-homing peptides have been extensively evaluated in several preclinical and clinical studies both as targeted-therapy and diagnosis. To date, results from several Phase I and II trials have been reported and many other trials are currently ongoing or recruiting patients. In this review, advances in the identification of novel peptide ligands and their corresponding receptors on tumor endothelium through the in vivo phage display technology are discussed. Emphasis is given to recent findings in the clinical setting of vascular-homing peptides selected by in vivo phage display for the treatment of advanced malignancies and their altered vascular beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia D'Onofrio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Grimaldi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Marfella
- Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Servillo
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Paolisso
- Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Balestrieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
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