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Rodríguez M, Pérez L, Gavilondo JV, Garrido G, Bequet-Romero M, Hernández I, Huerta V, Cabrera G, Pérez M, Ramos O, Leyva R, León M, Ramos PL, Triguero A, Hernández A, Sánchez B, Ayala M, Soto J, González E, Mendoza O, Tiel K, Pujol M. Comparative in vitro and experimental in vivo studies of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody nimotuzumab and its aglycosylated form produced in transgenic tobacco plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2013; 11:53-65. [PMID: 23046448 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A broad variety of foreign genes can be expressed in transgenic plants, which offer the opportunity for large-scale production of pharmaceutical proteins, such as therapeutic antibodies. Nimotuzumab is a humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) recombinant IgG1 antibody approved in different countries for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, paediatric and adult glioma, and nasopharyngeal and oesophageal cancers. Because the antitumour mechanism of nimotuzumab is mainly attributed to its ability to interrupt the signal transduction cascade triggered by EGF/EGFR interaction, we have hypothesized that an aglycosylated form of this antibody, produced by mutating the N(297) position in the IgG(1) Fc region gene, would have similar biochemical and biological properties as the mammalian-cell-produced glycosylated counterpart. In this paper, we report the production and characterization of an aglycosylated form of nimotuzumab in transgenic tobacco plants. The comparison of the plantibody and nimotuzumab in terms of recognition of human EGFR, effect on tyrosine phosphorylation and proliferation in cells in response to EGF, competition with radiolabelled EGF for EGFR, affinity measurements of Fab fragments, pharmacokinetic and biodistribution behaviours in rats and antitumour effects in nude mice bearing human A431 tumours showed that both antibody forms have very similar in vitro and in vivo properties. Our results support the idea that the production of aglycosylated forms of some therapeutic antibodies in transgenic plants is a feasible approach when facing scaling strategies for anticancer immunoglobulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilyn Rodríguez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, Havana, Cuba.
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Beckford Vera DR, Eigner S, Eigner Henke K, Leyva Montaña R, Melichar F, Beran M. (177)Lu/ (90)Y intermediate-affinity monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR and HER2/c-neu: preparation and preclinical evaluation. Recent Results Cancer Res 2013; 194:301-317. [PMID: 22918766 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-27994-2_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a rational target of anticancer therapies due to its overexpression in a variety of malignant epithelial tumors. Nevertheless, this antigen is also present in normal tissues. Consequently, monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind to EGFR-overexpressing tumors will be choice drug candidates for development of radioimmunoconjugates (RIC). Nimotuzumab (h-R3) and trastuzumab are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which would preferentially target tissues with EGFR and HER2 overexpression, respectively. In this chapter, we describe preparation and evaluation of the targeting properties of RIC formed by (177)Lu/(90)Y and monoclonal antibodies which selectively target EGFR- and HER2/c-neu-overexpressing tissues. mAbs were labeled with n.c.a. (177)Lu/(90)Y using bifunctional chelating agents. RIC binding properties and toxicity were evaluated in vitro using cell lines with varying antigen expression. In vivo tumor targeting properties of RIC were evaluated in mice bearing colorectal (SNU-C2B) and A431 tumor xenografts. RICs were prepared with specific activities up to 2 GBq/mg without significant loss in biological activity. (90)Y-h-R3/trastuzumab increased cell growth inhibition compared with unmodified mAbs or (90)YCl(3) alone in cell lines with overexpression of the target antigen. (177)Lu-h-R3 showed significantly higher uptake in A431 (22.8 ± 3.1% ID/g) than in SNU-C2B (8.8 ± 4.1% ID/g) xenografts at 72 h post injection, indicating strong association between tumor uptake and EGFR expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis R Beckford Vera
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Beckford Vera DR, Eigner S, Henke KE, Lebeda O, Melichar F, Beran M. Preparation and preclinical evaluation of 177Lu-nimotuzumab targeting epidermal growth factor receptor overexpressing tumors. Nucl Med Biol 2012; 39:3-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2011.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Vera DRB, Eigner S, Beran M, Henke KE, Laznickova A, Laznicek M, Melichar F, Chinol M. Preclinical evaluation of (177)lu-nimotuzumab: a potential tool for radioimmunotherapy of epidermal growth factor receptor-overexpressing tumors. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2011; 26:287-97. [PMID: 21711096 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2010.0916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The humanized monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab (h-R3) has demonstrated an exceptional and better clinical profile than other monoclonal antibodies for immunotherapy of epidermal growth factor receptor-overexpressing tumors. This work deals with the preparation and radiolabeling optimization of (177)Lu-Nimotuzumab and their preclinical evaluation. METHODS Nimotuzumab was conjugated with S-2-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane tetraacetic acid (p-SCN-Bn-DOTA), testing different molar ratios. The immunoconjugates were characterized. The radiolabeling with (177)Lu was optimized. Radioimmunoconjugates stability was tested in 2-[bis[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]acetic acid (DTPA) excess and human serum. In vitro studies were performed in tumor model cell lines. Receptor-specific binding was tested by competitive inhibition. (177)Lu-Nimotuzumab in vivo studies were conducted in healthy and xenograft animals. RESULTS Nimotuzumab conjugates were obtained with high purity. Radiolabeling yield and specific activities ranged from 63.6% to 94.5% and from 748 to 1142 MBq/mg, respectively. The stability in DTPA excess and human serum was 95.9% and 93.2% after 10 days, respectively. The radioimmunoconjugate showed specific receptor binding in tumor cell lines. Biodistribution in healthy animals showed the typical behavior of the immunoconjugates based on monoclonal antibodies. The study in xenografts mice demonstrated uptake of (177)Lu-Nimotuzumab in the tumor and reticuloendothelial organs. CONCLUSIONS (177)Lu-Nimotuzumab was obtained with high purity and specific activities under optimal conditions without significant loss in immunoreactivity and might be a potential radioimmunoconjugate for radioimmunotherapy of tumors with epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Rolando Beckford Vera
- Radiopharmaceutical Department, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Rez, Czech Republic.
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Tolmachev V, Friedman M, Sandström M, Eriksson TL, Rosik D, Hodik M, Ståhl S, Frejd FY, Orlova A. Affibody Molecules for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeting In Vivo: Aspects of Dimerization and Labeling Chemistry. J Nucl Med 2009; 50:274-83. [DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.108.055525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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SPECT imaging with 99mTc-labeled EGFR-specific nanobody for in vivo monitoring of EGFR expression. Mol Imaging Biol 2008; 10:167-75. [PMID: 18297364 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-008-0133-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2007] [Revised: 11/30/2007] [Accepted: 12/14/2007] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs with high incidence in various carcinomas. The oncogenic expression of the receptor has been exploited for immunoglobulin-based diagnostics and therapeutics. We describe the use of a llama single-domain antibody fragment, termed Nanobody, for the in vivo radioimmunodetection of EGFR overexpressing tumors using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in mice. METHODS Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis was performed to evaluate the specificity and selectivity of 8B6 Nanobody to bind EGFR on EGFR overexpressing cells. The Nanobody was then labeled with (99m)Tc via its C-terminal histidine tail. Uptake in normal organs and tissues was assessed by ex vivo analysis. In vivo tumor targeting of (99m)Tc-8B6 Nanobody was evaluated via pinhole SPECT in mice bearing xenografts of tumor cells with either high (A431) or moderate (DU145) overexpression of EGFR. RESULTS FACS analysis indicated that the 8B6 Nanobody only recognizes cells overexpressing EGFR. In vivo blood clearance of (99m)Tc-8B6 Nanobody is relatively fast (half-life, 1.5 h) and mainly via the kidneys. At 3 h postinjection, total kidney accumulation is high (46.6+/-0.9%IA) compared to total liver uptake (18.9+/-0.6%IA). Pinhole SPECT imaging of mice bearing A431 xenografts showed higher average tumor uptake (5.2+/-0.5%IA/cm(3)) of (99m)Tc-8B6 Nanobody compared to DU145 xenografts (1.8+/-0.3%IA/cm(3), p<0.001). CONCLUSION The EGFR-binding Nanobody investigated in this study shows high specificity and selectivity towards EGFR overexpressing cells. Pinhole SPECT analysis with (99m)Tc-8B6 Nanobody enabled in vivo discrimination between tumors with high and moderate EGFR overexpression. The favorable biodistribution further corroborates the suitability of Nanobodies for in vivo tumor imaging.
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Torres LA, Perera A, Batista JF, Hernández A, Crombet T, Ramos M, Neninger E, Pérez M, Sánchez EL, Romero S, Aguilar V, Coca MA, Iznaga-Escobar N. Phase I/II clinical trial of the humanized anti-EGF-r monoclonal antibody h-R3 labelled with 99mTc in patients with tumour of epithelial origin. Nucl Med Commun 2006; 26:1049-57. [PMID: 16264350 DOI: 10.1097/00006231-200512000-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the biodistribution, internal radiation dosimetry and toxicity of the humanized MAb h-R3 labelled with Tc in humans. METHODS Twenty-five patients with suspected epithelial-derived tumours were included in this study and divided into two groups: group I consisted of 10 patients who received 3 mg/1110 MBq (3 mg/30 mCi); and group II consisted of 15 patients who received 6 mg/2220 MBq (6 mg/60 mCi). Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and planar images, and multiple blood and urine samples were collected up to 24 h after injection. Haematological parameters and adverse effects were classified according to the WHO criteria. Biodistribution, human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) response and absorbed doses were estimated and reported. RESULTS Liver, spleen, kidneys and heart were identified as source organs. Their higher uptakes were 53.3+/-6.4%ID, 2.0+/-1.4%ID, 9.8+/-4.3%ID and 2.8+/-0.9%ID, respectively. The urinary bladder and large intestine also had a significant uptake. The mean urinary excretion was around 22%ID. The liver received the highest absorbed doses followed by the kidneys and the urinary bladder wall. There were no haematological or biochemical abnormalities with clinical significance related to the product. No patient developed HAMA response. Preliminary analysis of clinical results showed a sensitivity of 76.5% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that Tc-h-R3 could be used in patients in a safe and effective way, for the diagnosis of epithelial-derived tumours at the two evaluated dose levels.
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Kamath S, Buolamwini JK. Targeting EGFR and HER-2 receptor tyrosine kinases for cancer drug discovery and development. Med Res Rev 2006; 26:569-94. [PMID: 16788977 DOI: 10.1002/med.20070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Conventional anticancer therapy using cytotoxic drugs lacks selectivity and is prone to toxicity and drug resistance. Anticancer therapies targeting aberrant growth factor receptor signaling are gaining interest. The erbB receptor family belongs to the type I, the receptor tyrosine kinases class, and comprises EGFR, HER-2, HER-3, and HER-4. It has been targeted for solid tumor therapy, including breast, ovarian, colon, head-and-neck, and non-small-cell lung cancers. This review summarizes structural aspects of this class of growth factor receptors, their oncogenic expression, and various pharmacological interventions including biological products and small molecules that inhibit these enzymes. We have also discussed various mutations that occur in EGFR and their consequences on anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantaram Kamath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA
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Calvo E, Rowinsky EK. Clinical experience with monoclonal antibodies to epidermal growth factor receptor. Curr Oncol Rep 2005; 7:96-103. [PMID: 15717942 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-005-0034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Recent knowledge about the intermediate steps and final consequences of ligand-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation has clearly supported the notion that EGFR plays a fundamental role in regulating the proliferation and survival of malignant neoplasms. Among the rationally designed target-based therapeutics that are being assessed, those targeting EGFR appear to be some of the most clinically relevant. The strategy of using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to block ligand binding to the extracellular domain of the EGFR has led to the development of therapeutics that robustly arrest malignant cell proliferation and, in some cases, induce profound tumor regression. The chimeric mAb against EGFR, cetuximab, has already been approved by regulatory agencies worldwide to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Other mAbs against EGFR, particularly panitumumab (ABX-EGF), h-R3, and EMD72000, are in advanced stages of clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Calvo
- Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7979 Wurzbach Road, 4th Floor, Zeller Building, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Sridhar SS, Seymour L, Shepherd FA. Inhibitors of epidermal-growth-factor receptors: a review of clinical research with a focus on non-small-cell lung cancer. Lancet Oncol 2003; 4:397-406. [PMID: 12850190 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(03)01137-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite aggressive surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women with overall cure rates of less than 15%. Recent advances in our understanding of cellular signalling and its critical role in tumorigenesis has led to the development of novel therapies which may offer new hope. In particular, the epidermal growth-factor receptor superfamily is an attractive therapeutic target because it is commonly overexpressed in malignant disease, regulates many vital cellular processes, and seems to be a negative prognostic indicator. Several selective inhibitors of this family of receptors are currently being evaluated in several cancers including NSCLC. In this review we examine current preclinical and clinical evidence on monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab, ABX-EGF, EMD72000, MAb ICR62, h-R3, MDX-447, MDX-H210, trastuzumab, and 2C4), immunoconjugates (Y10, Ua30:2, Mab806), anti-EGF vaccine (YMB2000), and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (gefitinib, erlotinib, CI1033, GW572016, EKB 569, PKI166, PD158780, and TAK 165).
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikala S Sridhar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine of the University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital and the University of Toronto, Canada
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Matamoros Fernández LE, Kalume DE, Calvo L, Fernández Mallo M, Vallin A, Roepstorff P. Characterization of a recombinant monoclonal antibody by mass spectrometry combined with liquid chromatography. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2001; 752:247-61. [PMID: 11270865 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(00)00503-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this report, we present the characterization of a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for the human epidermal growth factor receptor (hEGFR). Direct analysis by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) of peptide mixtures and chromatographically isolated fractions allowed identification of 94.0% and 85.4% of the amino acid sequence of light and heavy chains, respectively. Microheterogeneity sources were identified in light and heavy chains and a previously unreported posttranslational modification for immunoglobulins was found. One N-glycosylation site was identified in the heavy chain with non-sialylated bianntenary fucosylated structures. This study is one of the first to assess the potential of MALDI-MS in combination with more conventional protein chemistry techniques for the characterization of monoclonal antibodies.
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Morales AA, Núñez-Gandolff G, Pérez NP, Véliz BC, Caballero-Torres I, Ducongé J, Fernández E, Crespo FZ, Veloso A, Iznaga-Escobar N. Freeze-dried formulation for direct 99mTc-labeling ior-egf/r3 MAb: additives, biodistribution, and stability. Nucl Med Biol 1999; 26:717-23. [PMID: 10587113 DOI: 10.1016/s0969-8051(99)00038-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been useful for immunoscintigraphic applications in clinical diagnosis since they were introduced in nuclear medicine practice. The MAb ior egf/r3 developed at the Center of Molecular Immunology (Havana, Cuba) is a murine antibody that recognizes the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and has been used widely in the radioimmunodiagnosis of tumors of epithelial origin. Based on the direct Schwarz method, the present report describes the preparation of a freeze-dried formulation for radiolabeling the MAb ior egf/r3 with 99mTc for immunoscintigraphic applications. Radiolabeling efficiency, effects on immunoreactivity, biodistribution, pharmacokinetic, and stability of the formulation are reported. The study demonstrated that the freeze-dried formulation can be labeled with 99mTc at high yield. The resulting 99mTc-labeled ior egf/r3 MAb can be used to visualize in vivo human tumors of epithelial origin by immunoscintigraphy studies. The kit does not need any other addition or purification at the time of tagging other than the requisite amount of pertechnetate (40-50 mCi). Because the contents of the kit are lyophilized, no special storage or transportation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Morales
- Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
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