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Höffgen KS, Dabel J, Konken CP, Depke DA, Hermann S, Dörner W, Schelhaas S, Schäfers M, Mootz HD. Combining poly-epitope MoonTags and labeled nanobodies for signal amplification in cell-specific PET imaging in vivo. Nucl Med Biol 2024; 136-137:108937. [PMID: 38964257 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2024.108937] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Immunorecognition provides an excellent basis for targeted imaging techniques covering a wide range from basic research to diagnostics and from single cells to whole organisms. Fluorescence- or radioisotope-labeled antibodies, antibody fragments or nanobodies enable a direct signal readout upon binding and allow for versatile imaging from microscopy to whole-body imaging. However, as the signal intensity directly correlates with the number of labeled antibodies bound to their epitopes (1:1 binding), sensitivity for low-expressing epitopes can be limiting for visualization. For the first time, we developed poly-epitope tags with multiple copies (1 to 7) of a short peptide epitope, specifically the MoonTag, that are recognized by a labeled nanobody and aimed at signal amplification in microscopy and cell-specific PET imaging. In transiently transfected HeLa cells or stably transduced A4573 cells we characterized complex formation and in vitro signal amplification. Indeed, using fluorescently and radioactively labeled nanobodies we found an approximately linear signal amplification with increasing numbers of epitope copies in vitro. To test the poly-epitope approach in vivo, A4573 tumor cells were injected subcutaneously into the shoulder of NSG mice, with A4573 tumor cells expressing a poly-epitope of 7 MoonTags on one side and WT cells on the other side. Using a [68Ga]-labeled NODAGA-conjugated MoonTag nanobody, we performed PET/CT imaging at day 8-9 after tumor implantation. Specific binding of a [68Ga]-labeled NODAGA-conjugated MoonTag nanobody was observed in 7xMoonTag tumors (1.7 ± 0.5%ID/mL) by PET imaging, showing significantly higher radiotracer accumulation compared to the WT tumors (1.1 ± 0.3%ID/mL; p < 0.01). Ex vivo gamma counter measurements confirmed significantly higher uptake in 7xMoonTag tumors compared to WT tumors (p < 0.001). In addition, MoonTag nanobody binding was detected by autoradiography which was spatially matched with histological analysis of the tumor tissues. In conclusion, we expect nanobody-based poly-epitope tag strategies to be widely applicable for multimodal imaging techniques given the advantageous properties of nanobodies and their amenability to genetic and chemical engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Dabel
- University of Münster, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Münster, Germany
| | - Christian P Konken
- University of Münster, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Münster, Germany; University Hospital Münster, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Dominic A Depke
- University of Münster, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Münster, Germany
| | - Sven Hermann
- University of Münster, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Dörner
- University of Münster, Institute of Biochemistry, Münster, Germany
| | - Sonja Schelhaas
- University of Münster, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Schäfers
- University of Münster, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Münster, Germany; University Hospital Münster, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Münster, Germany.
| | - Henning D Mootz
- University of Münster, Institute of Biochemistry, Münster, Germany.
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2
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Yu T, Zheng F, He W, Muyldermans S, Wen Y. Single domain antibody: Development and application in biotechnology and biopharma. Immunol Rev 2024. [PMID: 39166870 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13381] [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] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) are a unique type of antibodies devoid of light chains, and comprised of two heavy chains-only that recognize their cognate antigen by virtue of a single variable domain also referred to as VHH, single domain antibody (sdAb), or nanobody (Nb). These functional HCAbs, serendipitous discovered about three decades ago, are exclusively found in camelids, comprising dromedaries, camels, llamas, and vicugnas. Nanobodies have become an essential tool in biomedical research and medicine, both in diagnostics and therapeutics due to their beneficial properties: small size, high stability, strong antigen-binding affinity, low immunogenicity, low production cost, and straightforward engineering into more potent affinity reagents. The occurrence of HCAbs in camelids remains intriguing. It is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation, equipping camelids with a robust adaptive immune defense suitable to respond to the pressure from a pathogenic invasion necessitating a more profound antigen recognition and neutralization. This evolutionary innovation led to a simplified HCAb structure, possibly supported by genetic mutations and drift, allowing adaptive mutation and diversification in the heavy chain variable gene and constant gene regions. Beyond understanding their origins, the application of nanobodies has significantly advanced over the past 30 years. Alongside expanding laboratory research, there has been a rapid increase in patent application for nanobodies. The introduction of commercial nanobody drugs such as Cablivi, Nanozora, Envafolimab, and Carvykti has boosted confidence among in their potential. This review explores the evolutionary history of HCAbs, their ontogeny, and applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, focusing on approved and ongoing medical research pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yu
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenbo He
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yurong Wen
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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3
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Medina Pérez VM, Baselga M, Schuhmacher AJ. Single-Domain Antibodies as Antibody-Drug Conjugates: From Promise to Practice-A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2681. [PMID: 39123409 PMCID: PMC11311928 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152681] [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: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent potent cancer therapies that deliver highly toxic drugs to tumor cells precisely, thus allowing for targeted treatment and significantly reducing off-target effects. Despite their effectiveness, ADCs can face limitations due to acquired resistance and potential side effects. OBJECTIVES This study focuses on advances in various ADC components to improve both the efficacy and safety of these agents, and includes the analysis of several novel ADC formats. This work assesses whether the unique features of VHHs-such as their small size, enhanced tissue penetration, stability, and cost-effectiveness-make them a viable alternative to conventional antibodies for ADCs and reviews their current status in ADC development. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, this study focused on VHHs as components of ADCs, examining advancements and prospects from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2024. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect and LILACS using specific terms related to ADCs and single-domain antibodies. Retrieved articles were rigorously evaluated, excluding duplicates and non-qualifying studies. The selected peer-reviewed articles were analyzed for quality and synthesized to highlight advancements, methods, payloads, and future directions in ADC research. RESULTS VHHs offer significant advantages for drug conjugation over conventional antibodies due to their smaller size and structure, which enhance tissue penetration and enable access to previously inaccessible epitopes. Their superior stability, solubility, and manufacturability facilitate cost-effective production and expand the range of targetable antigens. Additionally, some VHHs can naturally cross the blood-brain barrier or be easily modified to favor their penetration, making them promising for targeting brain tumors and metastases. Although no VHH-drug conjugates (nADC or nanoADC) are currently in the clinical arena, preclinical studies have explored various conjugation methods and linkers. CONCLUSIONS While ADCs are transforming cancer treatment, their unique mechanisms and associated toxicities challenge traditional views on bioavailability and vary with different tumor types. Severe toxicities, often linked to compound instability, off-target effects, and nonspecific blood cell interactions, highlight the need for better understanding. Conversely, the rapid distribution, tumor penetration, and clearance of VHHs could be advantageous, potentially reducing toxicity by minimizing prolonged exposure. These attributes make single-domain antibodies strong candidates for the next generation of ADCs, potentially enhancing both efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Manuel Medina Pérez
- Molecular Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Marta Baselga
- Molecular Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Alberto J. Schuhmacher
- Molecular Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Fundación Aragonesa para la Investigación y el Desarrollo (ARAID), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
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4
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Houvast RD, Badr N, March T, de Muynck LDAN, Sier VQ, Schomann T, Bhairosingh S, Baart VM, Peeters JAHM, van Westen GJP, Plückthun A, Burggraaf J, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer AL, Sier CFM. Preclinical evaluation of EpCAM-binding designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) as targeting moieties for bimodal near-infrared fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging of cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:2179-2192. [PMID: 37642704 PMCID: PMC11178671 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06407-w] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) can play a key role in improving radical resection rates by assisting surgeons to gain adequate visualization of malignant tissue intraoperatively. Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) possess optimal pharmacokinetic and other properties for in vivo imaging. This study aims to evaluate the preclinical potential of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-binding DARPins as targeting moieties for near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging of cancer. METHODS EpCAM-binding DARPins Ac2, Ec4.1, and non-binding control DARPin Off7 were conjugated to IRDye 800CW and their binding efficacy was evaluated on EpCAM-positive HT-29 and EpCAM-negative COLO-320 human colon cancer cell lines. Thereafter, NIRF and PA imaging of all three conjugates were performed in HT-29_luc2 tumor-bearing mice. At 24 h post-injection, tumors and organs were resected and tracer biodistributions were analyzed. RESULTS Ac2-800CW and Ec4.1-800CW specifically bound to HT-29 cells, but not to COLO-320 cells. Next, 6 nmol and 24 h were established as the optimal in vivo dose and imaging time point for both DARPin tracers. At 24 h post-injection, mean tumor-to-background ratios of 2.60 ± 0.3 and 3.1 ± 0.3 were observed for Ac2-800CW and Ec4.1-800CW, respectively, allowing clear tumor delineation using the clinical Artemis NIRF imager. Biodistribution analyses in non-neoplastic tissue solely showed high fluorescence signal in the liver and kidney, which reflects the clearance of the DARPin tracers. CONCLUSION Our encouraging results show that EpCAM-binding DARPins are a promising class of targeting moieties for pan-carcinoma targeting, providing clear tumor delineation at 24 h post-injection. The work described provides the preclinical foundation for DARPin-based bimodal NIRF/PA imaging of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben D Houvast
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Nada Badr
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Taryn March
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Vincent Q Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Timo Schomann
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shadhvi Bhairosingh
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Victor M Baart
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Judith A H M Peeters
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard J P van Westen
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacobus Burggraaf
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Cornelis F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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5
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Cong Y, Devoogdt N, Lambin P, Dubois LJ, Yaromina A. Promising Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches Based on VHHs for Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:371. [PMID: 38254860 PMCID: PMC10814765 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020371] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the distinctive structure of heavy chain-only antibodies in species belonging to the Camelidae family has elicited significant interest in their variable antigen binding domain (VHH) and gained attention for various applications, such as cancer diagnosis and treatment. This article presents an overview of the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of VHHs as compared to conventional antibodies, and their usage in diverse applications. The singular properties of VHHs are explained, and several strategies that can augment their utility are outlined. The preclinical studies illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of distinct VHHs in diverse formats against solid cancers are summarized, and an overview of the clinical trials assessing VHH-based agents in oncology is provided. These investigations demonstrate the enormous potential of VHHs for medical research and healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cong
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (Y.C.); (P.L.)
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Philippe Lambin
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (Y.C.); (P.L.)
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J. Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (Y.C.); (P.L.)
| | - Ala Yaromina
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (Y.C.); (P.L.)
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Declerck NB, Huygen C, Mateusiak L, Stroet MCM, Hernot S. The GEM-handle as convenient labeling strategy for bimodal single-domain antibody-based tracers carrying 99mTc and a near-infrared fluorescent dye for intra-operative decision-making. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285923. [PMID: 38035094 PMCID: PMC10684908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285923] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-operative fluorescence imaging has demonstrated its ability to improve tumor lesion identification. However, the limited tissue penetration of the fluorescent signals hinders the detection of deep-lying or occult lesions. Integrating fluorescence imaging with SPECT and/or intra-operative gamma-probing synergistically combines the deep tissue penetration of gamma rays for tumor localization with the precision of fluorescence imaging for precise tumor resection. In this study, we detail the use of a genetically encoded multifunctional handle, henceforth referred to as a GEM-handle, for the development of fluorescent/radioactive bimodal single-domain antibody (sdAb)-based tracers. A sdAb that targets the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) was engineered to carry a GEM-handle containing a carboxy-terminal hexahistidine-tag and cysteine-tag. A two-step labeling strategy was optimized and applied to site-specifically label IRDye800CW and 99mTc to the sdAb. Bimodal labeling of the sdAbs proved straightforward and successful. 99mTc activity was however restricted to 18.5 MBq per nmol fluorescently-labeled sdAb to prevent radiobleaching of IRDye800CW without impeding SPECT/CT imaging. Subsequently, the in vivo biodistribution and tumor-targeting capacity of the bimodal tracer were evaluated in uPAR-positive tumor-bearing mice using SPECT/CT and fluorescence imaging. The bimodal sdAb showed expected renal background signals due to tracer clearance, along with slightly elevated non-specific liver signals. Four hours post-injection, both SPECT/CT and fluorescent images achieved satisfactory tumor uptake and contrast, with significantly higher values observed for the anti-uPAR bimodal sdAb compared to a control non-targeting sdAb. In conclusion, the GEM-handle is a convenient method for designing and producing bimodal sdAb-based tracers with adequate in vivo characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sophie Hernot
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Laboratory (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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7
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do Valle NCH, Janssen S, Stroet MCM, Pollenus S, Van den Block S, Devoogdt N, Debacker JM, Hernot S, De Rooster H. Safety assessment of fluorescently labeled anti-EGFR Nanobodies in healthy dogs. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1266288. [PMID: 37781693 PMCID: PMC10538052 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1266288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Surgical resection is one of the main treatment options for several types of cancer, the desired outcome being complete removal of the primary tumor and its local metastases. Any malignant tissue that remains after surgery may lead to relapsing disease, negatively impacting the patient's quality of life and overall survival. Fluorescence imaging in surgical oncology aims to facilitate full resection of solid tumors through the visualization of malignant tissue during surgery, following the administration of a fluorescent contrast agent. An important class of targeting molecules are Nanobodies® (Nbs), small antigen-binding fragments derived from camelid heavy chain only antibodies. When coupled with a fluorophore, Nbs can bind to a specific receptor and demarcate tumor margins through a fluorescence camera, improving the accuracy of surgical intervention. A widely investigated target for fluorescence-guided surgery is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is overexpressed in several types of tumors. Promising results with the fluorescently labeled anti-EGFR Nb 7D12-s775z in murine models motivated a project employing the compound in a pioneering study in dogs with spontaneous cancer. Methods: To determine the safety profile of the study drug, three healthy purpose-bred dogs received an intravenous injection of the tracer at 5.83, 11.66, and 19.47 mg/m2, separated by a 14-day wash-out period. Physical examination and fluorescence imaging were performed at established time points, and the animals were closely monitored between doses. Blood and urine values were analyzed pre- and 24 h post administration. Results: No adverse effects were observed, and blood and urine values stayed within the reference range. Images of the oral mucosa, acquired with a fluorescence imaging device (Fluobeam®), suggest rapid clearance, which was in accordance with previous in vivo studies. Discussion: These are the first results to indicate that 7D12-s775z is well tolerated in dogs and paves the way to conduct clinical trials in canine patients with EGFR-overexpressing spontaneous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayra Cristina Herreira do Valle
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simone Janssen
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marcus C. M. Stroet
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie Pollenus
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sonja Van den Block
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jens M. Debacker
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sophie Hernot
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hilde De Rooster
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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8
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Yong Joon Kim J, Sang Z, Xiang Y, Shen Z, Shi Y. Nanobodies: Robust miniprotein binders in biomedicine. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 195:114726. [PMID: 36754285 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Variable domains of heavy chain-only antibodies (VHH), also known as nanobodies (Nbs), are monomeric antigen-binding domains derived from the camelid heavy chain-only antibodies. Nbs are characterized by small size, high target selectivity, and marked solubility and stability, which collectively facilitate high-quality drug development. In addition, Nbs are readily expressed from various expression systems, including E. coli and yeast cells. For these reasons, Nbs have emerged as preferred antibody fragments for protein engineering, disease diagnosis, and treatment. To date, two Nb-based therapies have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Numerous candidates spanning a wide spectrum of diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders are under preclinical and clinical investigation. Here, we discuss the structural features of Nbs that allow for specific, versatile, and strong target binding. We also summarize emerging technologies for identification, structural analysis, and humanization of Nbs. Our main focus is to review recent advances in using Nbs as a modular scaffold to facilitate the engineering of multivalent polymers for cutting-edge applications. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges for Nb development and envision new opportunities in Nb-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Yong Joon Kim
- Center of Protein Engineering and Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1, Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhe Sang
- Center of Protein Engineering and Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1, Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yufei Xiang
- Center of Protein Engineering and Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1, Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zhuolun Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Center of Protein Engineering and Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1, Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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9
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van Manen L, de Muynck LDAN, Baart VM, Bhairosingh S, Debie P, Vahrmeijer AL, Hernot S, Mieog JSD. Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Pancreatic Cancer Using a Fluorescently Labelled Anti-CEA Nanobody Probe: A Preclinical Study. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040618. [PMID: 37189366 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular fluorescence-guided surgery using near-infrared light has the potential to improve the rate of complete resection of cancer. Typically, monoclonal antibodies are being used as targeting moieties, however smaller fragments, such as single-domain antibodies (i.e., Nanobodies®) improve tumor specificity and enable tracer injection on the same day as surgery. In this study, the feasibility of a carcinoembryonic antigen-targeting Nanobody (NbCEA5) conjugated to two zwitterionic dyes (ZW800-1 Forte [ZW800F] and ZW800-1) for visualization of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was investigated. After site-specific conjugation of NbCEA5 to the zwitterionic dyes, binding specificity was evaluated on human PDAC cell lines with flow cytometry. A dose escalation study was performed for both NbCEA5-ZW800F and NbCEA5-ZW800-1 in mice with subcutaneously implanted pancreatic tumors. Fluorescence imaging was performed up to 24 h after intravenous injection. Furthermore, the optimal dose for NbCEA5-ZW800-1 was injected in mice with orthotopically implanted pancreatic tumors. A dose-escalation study showed superior mean fluorescence intensities for NbCEA5-ZW800-1 compared to NbCEA5-ZW800F. In the orthotopic tumor models, NbCEA5-ZW800-1 accumulated specifically in pancreatic tumors with a mean in vivo tumor-to-background ratio of 2.4 (SD = 0.23). This study demonstrated the feasibility and potential advantages of using a CEA-targeted Nanobody conjugated to ZW800-1 for intraoperative PDAC imaging.
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10
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Guo X, Li C, Jia X, Qu Y, Li M, Cao C, Zhang Z, Qu Q, Luo S, Tang J, Liu H, Hu Z, Tian J. NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided colorectal cancer surgery targeting CEACAM5 by a nanobody. EBioMedicine 2023; 89:104476. [PMID: 36801616 PMCID: PMC9972495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgery is the cornerstone of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, yet complete removal of the tumour remains a challenge. The second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) fluorescent molecular imaging is a novel technique, which has broad application prospects in tumour surgical navigation. We aimed to evaluate the ability of CEACAM5-targeted probe for CRC recognition and the value of NIR-II imaging-guided CRC resection. METHODS We constructed the probe 2D5-IRDye800CW by conjugated anti-CEACAM5 nanobody (2D5) with near-infrared fluorescent dye IRDye800CW. The performance and benefits of 2D5-IRDye800CW at NIR-II were confirmed by imaging experiments in mouse vascular and capillary phantom. Then mouse colorectal cancer subcutaneous tumour model (n = 15), orthotopic model (n = 15), and peritoneal metastasis model (n = 10) were constructed to investigate biodistribution of probe and imaging differences between NIR-I and NIR-II in vivo, and then tumour resection was guided by NIR-II fluorescence. Fresh human colorectal cancer specimens were incubated with 2D5-IRDye800CW to verify its specific targeting ability. FINDINGS 2D5-IRDye800CW had an NIR-II fluorescence signal extending to 1600 nm and bound specifically to CEACAM5 with an affinity of 2.29 nM. In vivo imaging, 2D5-IRDye800CW accumulated rapidly in tumour (15 min) and could specifically identify orthotopic colorectal cancer and peritoneal metastases. All tumours were resected under NIR-II fluorescence guidance, even smaller than 2 mm tumours were detected, and NIR-II had a higher tumour-to-background ratio than NIR-I (2.55 ± 0.38, 1.94 ± 0.20, respectively). 2D5-IRDye800CW could precisely identify CEACAM5-positive human colorectal cancer tissue. INTERPRETATION 2D5-IRDye800CW combined with NIR-II fluorescence has translational potential as an aid to improve R0 surgery of colorectal cancer. FUNDINGS This study was supported by Beijing Natural Science Foundation (JQ19027), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFA0205200), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (61971442, 62027901, 81930053, 92059207, 81227901, 82102236), Beijing Natural Science Foundation (L222054), CAS Youth Interdisciplinary Team (JCTD-2021-08), the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA16021200), the Zhuhai High-level Health Personnel Team Project (Zhuhai HLHPTP201703), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (JKF-YG-22-B005) and Capital Clinical Characteristic Application Research (Z181100001718178). The authors would like to acknowledge the instrumental and technical support of the multi-modal biomedical imaging experimental platform, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyong Guo
- Clinical College of Armed Police General Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Department of Gastroenterology of The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Changjian Li
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine (Beihang University), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaohua Jia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yawei Qu
- Department of Control Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Beijing Mentougou District Hospital, Beijing, 102300, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- Clinical College of Armed Police General Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Department of Gastroenterology of The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Caiguang Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine (Beihang University), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qiaojun Qu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; College of Medical Imaging, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Shuangling Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Jianqiang Tang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Clinical College of Armed Police General Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Department of Gastroenterology of The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; Beijing Mentougou District Hospital, Beijing, 102300, China.
| | - Zhenhua Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Jie Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine (Beihang University), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, 100191, China; School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Nishino H, Turner MA, Amirfakhri S, Lwin TM, Hosseini M, Singer BB, Hoffman RM, Bouvet M. Proof of Principle of Combining Fluorescence-Guided Surgery with Photoimmunotherapy to Improve the Outcome of Pancreatic Cancer Therapy in an Orthotopic Mouse Model. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:618-625. [PMID: 36057899 PMCID: PMC9726788 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-12466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is a recalcitrant disease in which R0 resection is often not achieved owing to difficulty in visualization of the tumor margins and proximity of adjacent vessels. To improve outcomes, we have developed fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) and photoimmunotherapy (PIT) using a fluorescent tumor-specific antibody. METHODS Nude mice received surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) of the human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3 expressing green fluorescent protein. An anti-carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) monoclonal antibody (6G5j) was conjugated to the 700-nm fluorescent dye IR700DyeDX (6G5j-IR700DX). Three weeks after SOI, 16 mice received 50 μg 6G5j-IR700DX via the tail vein 24 h before surgery and were randomized to two groups: FGS-only (n = 8) and FGS + PIT (n = 8). All tumors were imaged with the Pearl Trilogy imaging system and resected under the guidance of the FLARE imaging system. The FGS + PIT group received PIT of the post-surgical bed at an intensity of 150 mW/cm2 for 30 min. Mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after initial surgery, and tumors were imaged with a Dino-Lite digital microscope, excised, and weighed. RESULTS The 6G5j-IR700DX dye illuminated the orthotopic pancreatic tumors for FGS and PIT. The metastatic recurrence rate was 100.0% for FGS-only and 25.0% for FGS + PIT (p = 0.007). The average total recurrent tumor weight was 2370.3 ± 1907.8 mg for FGS-only and 705.5 ± 1200.0 mg for FGS + PIT (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS FGS and adjuvant PIT can be combined by using a single antibody-fluorophore conjugate to significantly reduce the frequency of pancreatic cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Nishino
- Department of Surgery, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA ,Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA ,Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Michael A. Turner
- Department of Surgery, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA ,Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Siamak Amirfakhri
- Department of Surgery, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA ,Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Thinzar M. Lwin
- Department of Surgery, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA ,Department of Surgical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA USA
| | - Mojgan Hosseini
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Bernhard B. Singer
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert M. Hoffman
- Department of Surgery, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA ,AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA USA
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA ,Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
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12
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Wu SY, Wu FG, Chen X. Antibody-Incorporated Nanomedicines for Cancer Therapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109210. [PMID: 35142395 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-based cancer therapy, one of the most significant therapeutic strategies, has achieved considerable success and progress over the past decades. Nevertheless, obstacles including limited tumor penetration, short circulation half-lives, undesired immunogenicity, and off-target side effects remain to be overcome for the antibody-based cancer treatment. Owing to the rapid development of nanotechnology, antibody-containing nanomedicines that have been extensively explored to overcome these obstacles have already demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy and clinical translation potential. This review intends to offer an overview of the advancements of antibody-incorporated nanoparticulate systems in cancer treatment, together with the nontrivial challenges faced by these next-generation nanomedicines. Diverse strategies of antibody immobilization, formats of antibodies, types of cancer-associated antigens, and anticancer mechanisms of antibody-containing nanomedicines are provided and discussed in this review, with an emphasis on the latest applications. The current limitations and future research directions on antibody-containing nanomedicines are also discussed from different perspectives to provide new insights into the construction of anticancer nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Yu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Fu-Gen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
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13
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Li B, Qin X, Mi LZ. Nanobodies: from structure to applications in non-injectable and bispecific biotherapeutic development. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:7110-7122. [PMID: 35535618 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr00306f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The increasing demand for convenient, miniaturized and multifunctional antibodies necessitates the development of novel antigen-recognition molecules for biological and medical studies. Nanobodies, the functional variable regions of camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies, as a new tool, complement the conventional antibodies and are in the stage of rapid development. The outstanding advantages of nanobodies include a stable structure, easy production, excellent water solubility, high affinity toward antigens and low immunogenicity. With promising application potential, nanobodies are now increasingly applied to various studies, including protein structure analysis, microscopic imaging, medical diagnosis, and drug development. The approval of the first nanobody drug Caplacizumab by the FDA disclosed the therapeutic potential of nanobodies. The outbreak of COVID-19 accelerated the development of nanobody drugs in non-injectable and bispecific biotherapeutic applications. Herein, we reviewed recent studies on the nanobody structure, screening and their applications in protein structure analysis and nanobody drugs, especially on non-injectable nanobody and bispecific nanobody development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxuan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Xiaohong Qin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Li-Zhi Mi
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China.
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14
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Awad RM, Meeus F, Ceuppens H, Ertveldt T, Hanssens H, Lecocq Q, Mateusiak L, Zeven K, Valenta H, De Groof TWM, De Vlaeminck Y, Krasniqi A, De Veirman K, Goyvaerts C, D'Huyvetter M, Hernot S, Devoogdt N, Breckpot K. Emerging applications of nanobodies in cancer therapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:143-199. [PMID: 35777863 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, requiring treatment tailored to the unique phenotype of the patient's tumor. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and variants thereof have enabled targeted therapies to selectively target cancer cells. Cancer cell-specific mAbs have been used for image-guided surgery and targeted delivery of radionuclides or toxic agents, improving classical treatment strategies. Cancer cell-specific mAbs can further inhibit tumor cell growth or can stimulate immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells, a feature that has also been achieved through mAb-mediated manipulation of immune cells and pathways. Drawbacks of mAbs and their variants, together with the discovery of camelid heavy chain-only antibodies and the many advantageous features of their variable domains, referred to as VHHs, single domain antibodies or nanobodies (Nbs), resulted in the exploration of Nbs as an alternative targeting moiety. We therefore review the state-of-the-art as well as novel exploitation strategies of Nbs for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fien Meeus
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Ceuppens
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Ertveldt
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heleen Hanssens
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lukasz Mateusiak
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katty Zeven
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hana Valenta
- Lab for Nanobiology, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ahmet Krasniqi
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'Huyvetter
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Hernot
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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15
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Lwin TM, Turner MA, Nishino H, Amirfakhri S, Hernot S, Hoffman RM, Bouvet M. Fluorescent Anti-CEA Nanobody for Rapid Tumor-Targeting and Imaging in Mouse Models of Pancreatic Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:711. [PMID: 35625638 PMCID: PMC9138244 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-specific targeting with fluorescent probes can enhance contrast for identification of cancer during surgical resection and visualize otherwise invisible tumor margins. Nanobodies are the smallest naturally-occurring antigen-binding molecules with rapid pharmacokinetics. The present work demonstrates the efficacy of a fluorescent anti-CEA nanobody conjugated to an IR800 dye to target and label patient derived pancreatic cancer xenografts. After intravenous administration, the probe rapidly localized to the pancreatic cancer tumors within an hour and had a tumor-to-background ratio of 2.0 by 3 h. The fluorescence signal was durable over a prolonged period of time. With the rapid kinetics afforded by fluorescent nanobodies, both targeting and imaging can be performed on the same day as surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinzar M. Lwin
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (T.M.L.); (M.A.T.); (H.N.); (S.A.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michael A. Turner
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (T.M.L.); (M.A.T.); (H.N.); (S.A.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Hiroto Nishino
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (T.M.L.); (M.A.T.); (H.N.); (S.A.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Siamak Amirfakhri
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (T.M.L.); (M.A.T.); (H.N.); (S.A.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Sophie Hernot
- Laboratory for In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Robert M. Hoffman
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (T.M.L.); (M.A.T.); (H.N.); (S.A.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA 92111, USA
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (T.M.L.); (M.A.T.); (H.N.); (S.A.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
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16
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Yang E, Liu Q, Huang G, Liu J, Wei W. Engineering nanobodies for next-generation molecular imaging. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1622-1638. [PMID: 35331925 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, nanobodies have emerged as ideal imaging agents for molecular imaging. Molecular nanobody imaging combines the specificity of nanobodies with the sensitivity of state-of-the-art molecular imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET). Given that modifications of nanobodies alter their pharmacokinetics (PK), the engineering strategies that combine nanobodies with radionuclides determine the effectiveness, reliability, and safety of the molecular imaging probes. In this review, we introduce conjugation strategies that have been applied to nanobodies, including random conjugation, 99mTc tricarbonyl chemistry, sortase A-mediated site-specific conjugation, maleimide-cysteine chemistry, and click chemistries. We also summarize the latest advances in nanobody tracers, emphasizing their preclinical and clinical use. In addition, we elaborate on nanobody-based near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging and image-guided surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erpeng Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200217, China
| | - Qiufang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200217, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200217, China.
| | - Weijun Wei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200217, China.
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17
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Fluorescence Molecular Targeting of Colon Cancer to Visualize the Invisible. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020249. [PMID: 35053365 PMCID: PMC8773892 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of cancer and cancer-related death. Surgery is the only curative modality. Fluorescence-enhanced visualization of CRC with targeted fluorescent probes that can delineate boundaries and target tumor-specific biomarkers can increase rates of curative resection. Approaches to enhancing visualization of the tumor-to-normal tissue interface are active areas of investigation. Nonspecific dyes are the most-used approach, but tumor-specific targeting agents are progressing in clinical trials. The present narrative review describes the principles of fluorescence targeting of CRC for diagnosis and fluorescence-guided surgery with molecular biomarkers for preclinical or clinical evaluation.
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18
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Declerck NB, Mateusiak L, Hernot S. Design and Validation of Site-Specifically Labeled Single-Domain Antibody-Based Tracers for in Vivo Fluorescence Imaging and Image-Guided Surgery. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2446:395-407. [PMID: 35157285 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2075-5_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging has become an established preclinical technique to investigate molecular processes in vivo and to study novel therapies. Furthermore, fluorescence molecular imaging is gaining significant interest from clinicians as an intra-operative guidance tool. This technique makes use of targeted fluorescent tracers as contrast agents that recognize specific biomarkers expressed at the site of disease. Single-domain antibodies have shown to possess excellent properties for in vivo imaging in comparison to conventional antibodies. In this chapter, we describe a method for site-specific conjugation of a near-infrared fluorophore to single-domain antibodies by exploiting cysteine-maleimide chemistry. As opposed to random conjugation, site-specific conjugation results in a homogenously labeled fluorescent tracer and avoids inference with antigen binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi B Declerck
- Laboratory for In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lukasz Mateusiak
- Laboratory for In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Hernot
- Laboratory for In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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19
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Lwin TM, Turner MA, Amirfakhri S, Nishino H, Debie P, Cosman BC, Hoffman RM, Hernot S, Bouvet M. Rapid tumor-labeling kinetics with a site-specific near-infrared anti-CEA nanobody in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft mouse model of colon cancer. J Surg Oncol 2021; 124:1121-1127. [PMID: 34309885 PMCID: PMC8556245 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Nanobodies are the smallest biologic antigen-binding fragments derived from camelid-derived antibodies. Nanobodies effect a peak tumor signal within minutes of injection and present a novel opportunity for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS). The present study demonstrates the efficacy of an anti-CEA nanobody conjugated to near-infrared fluorophore LICOR-IRDye800CW for rapid intraoperative tumor labeling of colon cancer. METHODS LS174T human colon cancer cells or fragments of patient-derived colon cancer were implanted subcutaneously or orthotopically in nude mice. Anti-CEA nanobodies were conjugated with IRDye800CW and 1-3 nmol were injected intravenously. Mice were serially imaged over time. Peak fluorescence signal and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) were recorded. RESULTS Colon cancer tumors were detectable using fluorescent anti-CEA nanobody within 5 min of injection at all three doses. Maximal fluorescence intensity was observed within 15 min-3 h for all three doses with TBR values ranging from 1.3 to 2.3. In the patient-derived model of colon cancer, fluorescence was detectable with a TBR of 4.6 at 3 h. CONCLUSIONS Fluorescent anti-CEA nanobodies rapidly and specifically labeled colon cancer in cell-line-based and patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models. The kinetics of nanobodies allow for same day administration and imaging. Anti-CEA-nb-800 is a promising and practical molecule for FGS of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinzar M. Lwin
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael A. Turner
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Siamak Amirfakhri
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Hiroto Nishino
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Pieterjan Debie
- Laboratory for In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI-BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bard C. Cosman
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Robert M. Hoffman
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sophie Hernot
- Laboratory for In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI-BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
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Harmand TJ, Islam A, Pishesha N, Ploegh HL. Nanobodies as in vivo, non-invasive, imaging agents. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:685-701. [PMID: 34212147 PMCID: PMC8190910 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00023c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo imaging has become in recent years an incredible tool to study biological events and has found critical applications in diagnostic medicine. Although a lot of efforts and applications have been achieved using monoclonal antibodies, other types of delivery agents are being developed. Among them, VHHs, antigen binding fragments derived from camelid heavy chain-only antibodies, also known as nanobodies, have particularly attracted attention. Indeed, their stability, fast clearance, good tissue penetration, high solubility, simple cloning and recombinant production make them attractive targeting agents for imaging modalities such as PET, SPECT or Infra-Red. In this review, we discuss the pioneering work that has been carried out using VHHs and summarize the recent developments that have been made using nanobodies for in vivo, non-invasive, imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault J Harmand
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromso Norway
| | - Novalia Pishesha
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Society of Fellows, Harvard University Cambridge MA USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Cambridge MA USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
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21
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Unique Benefits of Tumor-Specific Nanobodies for Fluorescence Guided Surgery. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020311. [PMID: 33670740 PMCID: PMC7921980 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-specific fluorescence labeling is promising for real-time visualization of solid malignancies during surgery. There are a number of technologies to confer tumor-specific fluorescence. Antibodies have traditionally been used due to their versatility in modifications; however, their large size hampers efficient fluorophore delivery. Nanobodies are a novel class of molecules, derived from camelid heavy-chain only antibodies, that have shown promise for tumor-specific fluorescence labeling. Nanobodies are ten times smaller than standard antibodies, while maintaining antigen-binding capacity and have advantageous features, including rapidity of tumor labeling, that are reviewed in the present report. The present report reviews special considerations needed in developing nanobody probes, the status of current literature on the use of nanobody probes in fluorescence guided surgery, and potential challenges to be addressed for clinical translation.
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22
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Nanobodies as Versatile Tool for Multiscale Imaging Modalities. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121695. [PMID: 33353213 PMCID: PMC7767244 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging is constantly growing in different areas of preclinical biomedical research. Several imaging methods have been developed and are continuously updated for both in vivo and in vitro applications, in order to increase the information about the structure, localization and function of molecules involved in physiology and disease. Along with these progresses, there is a continuous need for improving labeling strategies. In the last decades, the single domain antigen-binding fragments nanobodies (Nbs) emerged as important molecular imaging probes. Indeed, their small size (~15 kDa), high stability, affinity and modularity represent desirable features for imaging applications, providing higher tissue penetration, rapid targeting, increased spatial resolution and fast clearance. Accordingly, several Nb-based probes have been generated and applied to a variety of imaging modalities, ranging from in vivo and in vitro preclinical imaging to super-resolution microscopy. In this review, we will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art regarding the use of Nbs in several imaging modalities, underlining their extreme versatility and their enormous potential in targeting molecules and cells of interest in both preclinical and clinical studies.
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