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Ebrahimi F, Zargari NR, Akhlaghi M, Asghari SM, Abdi K, Balalaie S, Asadi M, Beiki D. Synthesis, Radiolabeling, and Biodistribution Study of a Novel DOTA-Peptide for Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors in the Molecular Imaging of Breast Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:899. [PMID: 39065596 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16070899] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
As angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and metastasis, leading to more cancer-related deaths, the angiogenic process can be considered as a target for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGR-1) and VEGFR-2 have high expression on breast cancer cells and contribute to angiogenesis and tumor development. Thus, early diagnosis through VEGFR-1/2 detection is an excellent strategy that can significantly increase a patient's chance of survival. In this study, the VEGFR1/2-targeting peptide VGB3 was conjugated with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), using 6-aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) as a spacer to prevent steric hindrance in binding. DOTA-Ahx-VGB3 was radiolabeled with Gallium-68 (68Ga) efficiently. An in vitro cell binding assay was assessed in the 4T1 cell line. The tumor-targeting potential of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Ahx-VGB3 was conducted for 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Consequently, high radiochemical purity [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Ahx-VGB3 (RCP = 98%) was prepared and stabilized in different buffer systems. Approximately 17% of the radiopeptide was internalized after 2 h incubation and receptor binding as characterized by the IC50 value being about 867 nM. The biodistribution and PET/CT studies revealed that [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Ahx-VGB3 reached the tumor site and was excreted rapidly by the renal system. These features convey [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Ahx-VGB3 as a suitable agent for the noninvasive visualization of VEGFR-1/2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ebrahimi
- Department of Nuclear Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Akhlaghi
- Research Center for Nuclear Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1411713135, Iran
| | - S Mohsen Asghari
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Khosrou Abdi
- Department of Nuclear Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Saeed Balalaie
- Peptide Chemistry Research Institute, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 158754416, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Asadi
- Research Center for Nuclear Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1411713135, Iran
| | - Davood Beiki
- Department of Nuclear Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
- Research Center for Nuclear Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1411713135, Iran
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Yin Q, Han H, Shi K, Zhou J, Zheng S, Yao K, Shentu X. Targeted dexamethasone nano-prodrug for corneal neovascularization management. Biomed J 2024; 47:100592. [PMID: 37004870 PMCID: PMC10826162 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To overcome the drawbacks of traditional therapy for corneal neovascularization (CNV), we evaluated the efficacy of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated Ala-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly (APRPG) peptide modified dexamethasone (Dex), a novel nano-prodrug (Dex-PEG-APRPG, DPA). METHODS Characterization of DPA nano-prodrug were measured with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses. Cytotoxicity and effects on cell migration and tube formation of DPA were evaluated in vitro. A murine CNV model was established by cornea alkali burn. The injured corneas were given eye drops of DPA (0.2 mM), Dex solution (0.2 mM), Dexp (2 mM), or normal saline three times a day. After two weeks, eyes were obtained for the analysis of histopathology, immunostaining, and mRNA expression. RESULTS DPA with an average diameter of 30 nm, presented little cytotoxicity and had good ocular biocompatibility. More importantly, DPA showed specific targeting to vascular endothelial cells with efficient inhibition on cell migration and tube formation. In a mouse CNV model, clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical examination results revealed DPA had a much stronger angiogenesis suppression than Dex, resembling a clinical drug with an order of magnitude higher concentration. This was ascribed to the significant downregulations in the expression of pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory factors in the corneas. In vivo imaging results also demonstrated that APRPG could prolong ocular retention time. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that DPA nano-prodrug occupies advantages of specific targeting ability and improved bioavailability over conventional therapy, and holds great potential for safe and efficient CNV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichuan Yin
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haijie Han
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Shi
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiayue Zhou
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sifan Zheng
- GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Xingchao Shentu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 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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Louis B, Nail V, Nachar O, Bouhlel A, Moyon A, Balasse L, Simoncini S, Chabert A, Fernandez S, Brige P, Hache G, Tintaru A, Morgat C, Dignat-George F, Garrigue P, Guillet B. Design and preclinical evaluation of a novel apelin-based PET radiotracer targeting APJ receptor for molecular imaging of angiogenesis. Angiogenesis 2023; 26:463-475. [PMID: 36973482 PMCID: PMC10328853 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-023-09875-8] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
APJ has been extensively described in the pathophysiology of angiogenesis and cell proliferation. The prognostic value of APJ overexpression in many diseases is now established. This study aimed to design a PET radiotracer that specifically binds to APJ. Apelin-F13A-NODAGA (AP747) was synthesized and radiolabeled with gallium-68 ([68Ga]Ga-AP747). Radiolabeling purity was excellent (> 95%) and stable up to 2 h. Affinity constant of [67Ga]Ga-AP747 was measured on APJ-overexpressing colon adenocarcinoma cells and was in nanomolar range. Specificity of [68Ga]Ga-AP747 for APJ was evaluated in vitro by autoradiography and in vivo by small animal PET/CT in both colon adenocarcinoma mouse model and Matrigel plug mouse model. Dynamic of [68Ga]Ga-AP747 PET/CT biodistributions was realized on healthy mice and pigs for two hours, and quantification of signal in organs showed a suitable pharmacokinetic profile for PET imaging, largely excreted by urinary route. Matrigel mice and hindlimb ischemic mice were submitted to a 21-day longitudinal follow-up with [68Ga]Ga-AP747 and [68Ga]Ga-RGD2 small animal PET/CT. [68Ga]Ga-AP747 PET signal in Matrigel was significantly more intense than that of [68Ga]Ga-RGD2. Revascularization of the ischemic hind limb was followed by LASER Doppler. In the hindlimb, [68Ga]Ga-AP747 PET signal was more than twice higher than that of [68Ga]Ga-RGD2 on day 7, and significantly superior over the 21-day follow-up. A significant, positive correlation was found between the [68Ga]Ga-AP747 PET signal on day 7 and late hindlimb perfusion on day 21. We developed a new PET radiotracer that specifically binds to APJ, [68Ga]Ga-AP747 that showed more efficient imaging properties than the most clinically advanced tracer of angiogenesis, [68Ga]Ga-RGD2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béatrice Louis
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Nail
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pôle Pharmacie, Radiopharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Oriane Nachar
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pôle Pharmacie, Radiopharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Ahlem Bouhlel
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
| | - Anaïs Moyon
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pôle Pharmacie, Radiopharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Laure Balasse
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Pauline Brige
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, LIIE, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume Hache
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
| | - Aura Tintaru
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINaM, Marseille, France
| | - Clément Morgat
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, 33000, Bordeaux, France
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Philippe Garrigue
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France.
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France.
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pôle Pharmacie, Radiopharmacie, Marseille, France.
| | - Benjamin Guillet
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CERIMED, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pôle Pharmacie, Radiopharmacie, Marseille, France
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van der Heide CD, Dalm SU. Radionuclide imaging and therapy directed towards the tumor microenvironment: a multi-cancer approach for personalized medicine. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:4616-4641. [PMID: 35788730 PMCID: PMC9606105 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Targeted radionuclide theranostics is becoming more and more prominent in clinical oncology. Currently, most nuclear medicine compounds researched for cancer theranostics are directed towards targets expressed in only a small subset of cancer types, limiting clinical applicability. The identification of cancer-specific targets that are (more) universally expressed will allow more cancer patients to benefit from these personalized nuclear medicine–based interventions. A tumor is not merely a collection of cancer cells, it also comprises supporting stromal cells embedded in an altered extracellular matrix (ECM), together forming the tumor microenvironment (TME). Since the TME is less genetically unstable than cancer cells, and TME phenotypes can be shared between cancer types, it offers targets that are more universally expressed. The TME is characterized by the presence of altered processes such as hypoxia, acidity, and increased metabolism. Next to the ECM, the TME consists of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), macrophages, endothelial cells forming the neo-vasculature, immune cells, and cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs). Radioligands directed at the altered processes, the ECM, and the cellular components of the TME have been developed and evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies for targeted radionuclide imaging and/or therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the TME targets and their corresponding radioligands. In addition, we discuss what developments are needed to further explore the TME as a target for radionuclide theranostics, with the hopes of stimulating the development of novel TME radioligands with multi-cancer, or in some cases even pan-cancer, application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone U Dalm
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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