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Benfante V, Stefano A, Ali M, Laudicella R, Arancio W, Cucchiara A, Caruso F, Cammarata FP, Coronnello C, Russo G, Miele M, Vieni A, Tuttolomondo A, Yezzi A, Comelli A. An Overview of In Vitro Assays of 64Cu-, 68Ga-, 125I-, and 99mTc-Labelled Radiopharmaceuticals Using Radiometric Counters in the Era of Radiotheranostics. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13071210. [PMID: 37046428 PMCID: PMC10093267 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13071210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Radionuclides are unstable isotopes that mainly emit alpha (α), beta (β) or gamma (γ) radiation through radiation decay. Therefore, they are used in the biomedical field to label biomolecules or drugs for diagnostic imaging applications, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and/or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A growing field of research is the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for use in cancer treatments. Preclinical studies are the gold standard for translational research. Specifically, in vitro radiopharmaceutical studies are based on the use of radiopharmaceuticals directly on cells. To date, radiometric β- and γ-counters are the only tools able to assess a preclinical in vitro assay with the aim of estimating uptake, retention, and release parameters, including time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity and kinetic parameters. This review has been designed for researchers, such as biologists and biotechnologists, who would like to approach the radiobiology field and conduct in vitro assays for cellular radioactivity evaluations using radiometric counters. To demonstrate the importance of in vitro radiopharmaceutical assays using radiometric counters with a view to radiogenomics, many studies based on 64Cu-, 68Ga-, 125I-, and 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals have been revised and summarized in this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Benfante
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Alessandro Stefano
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Walter Arancio
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Cucchiara
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies), Via Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Caruso
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies), Via Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Cammarata
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Claudia Coronnello
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Monica Miele
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vieni
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies), Via Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Tuttolomondo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anthony Yezzi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Albert Comelli
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Klussmeier A, Aurich S, Niederstadt L, Wiedenmann B, Grötzinger C. Secretin Receptor as a Target in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Expression Analysis and Ligand Development. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030536. [PMID: 35327338 PMCID: PMC8944975 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Secretin was originally discovered as a gastrointestinal peptide that stimulates fluid secretion from the pancreas and liver and delays gastric emptying. In disease, a secretin receptor (SCTR) was found to occur as a splice variant in gastrinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Overexpression of SCTR has been described for gastrinomas, carcinoid tumors of the lung and cholangiocarcinoma. SCTR therefore is considered a candidate target for molecular tumor imaging as well as for peptide receptor radioligand therapy (PRRT) in a number of oncological indications. The aim of this study was to characterize SCTR expression in esophageal and pancreatic cancer, demonstrating for the first time high SCTR overexpression in these tumor types. In total, 65 of 70 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues stained strongly positive for SCTR in immunohistochemistry, as did most of the 151 esophageal cancer samples, with minor influence of grading in both entities. In addition, the aim of this study was to further delineate residues in human secretin that are critical for binding to and activation of human SCTR. For a potential development of short and metabolically stable analogs for clinical use, it was intended to probe the peptide for its capacity to incorporate deletions and substitutions without losing its affinity to SCTR. In a systematic approach, a library of 146 secretin variants containing single amino acid substitutions as well as truncations on either end was tested in β-arrestin2-GFP translocation and fluorescent ligand internalization assays employing high-content analysis, in cAMP assays which run in agonist and antagonist mode, and in radioligand binding. The main structural determinants of SCTR binding and activation were localized to the N-terminus, with His1, Asp3 being among the most sensitive positions, followed by Phe6, Thr7 and Leu10. Aminoterminal truncation caused a rapid decline in receptor activity and most of these variants proved to be partial agonists showing antagonistic properties. In this study, the most potent novel antagonist showed an IC50 of 309 ± 74 nM in the β-arrestin2-GFP translocation assay on human SCTR while remaining a weak partial agonist. Future studies will have to demonstrate the utility of further enhanced secretin analogues as tracers for in vivo imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Klussmeier
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (S.A.); (L.N.); (B.W.)
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie, Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Aurich
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (S.A.); (L.N.); (B.W.)
| | - Lars Niederstadt
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (S.A.); (L.N.); (B.W.)
| | - Bertram Wiedenmann
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (S.A.); (L.N.); (B.W.)
| | - Carsten Grötzinger
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (S.A.); (L.N.); (B.W.)
- Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 13353 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Wei P, Tang H, Li D. Insights into pancreatic cancer etiology from pathway analysis of genome-wide association study data. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46887. [PMID: 23056513 PMCID: PMC3464266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and the etiology of this highly lethal disease has not been well defined. To identify genetic susceptibility factors for pancreatic cancer, we conducted pathway analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) data in 3,141 pancreatic cancer patients and 3,367 controls with European ancestry. METHODS Using the gene set ridge regression in association studies (GRASS) method, we analyzed 197 pathways identified from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. We used the logistic kernel machine (LKM) test to identify major contributing genes to each pathway. We conducted functional enrichment analysis of the most significant genes (P<0.01) using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). RESULTS Two pathways were significantly associated with risk of pancreatic cancer after adjusting for multiple comparisons (P<0.00025) and in replication testing: neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, (Ps<0.00002), and the olfactory transduction pathway (P = 0.0001). LKM test identified four genes that were significantly associated with risk of pancreatic cancer after Bonferroni correction (P<1×10(-5)): ABO, HNF1A, OR13C4, and SHH. Functional enrichment analysis using DAVID consistently found the G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway (including both neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and olfactory transduction pathways) to be the most significant pathway for pancreatic cancer risk in this study population. CONCLUSION These novel findings provide new perspectives on genetic susceptibility to and molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wei
- Division of Biostatistics and Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Hongwei Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Donghui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Verma M. Pancreatic cancer biomarkers and their implication in cancer diagnosis and epidemiology. Cancers (Basel) 2010; 2:1830-7. [PMID: 24281203 PMCID: PMC3840448 DOI: 10.3390/cancers2041830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Biomarkers are needed to detect this cancer early during the disease development and for screening populations to identify those who are at risk. In cancer, “biomarker” refers to a substance or process that is indicative of the presence of cancer in the body. A biomarker might be either a molecule secreted by a tumor or it can be a specific response of the body to the presence of cancer. Genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, glycomic, and imaging biomarkers can be used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and epidemiology. A number of potential biomarkers have been identified for pancreatic cancer. These markers can be assayed in non-invasively collected biofluids. These biomarkers need analytical and clinical validation so that they can be used for the purpose of screening and diagnosing pancreatic cancer and determining disease prognosis. In this article, the latest developments in pancreatic cancer biomarkers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Verma
- Methods and Technologies Branch, Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institues of Health (NIH), 6130 Executive Blvd., Suite 5100. Bethesda, MD 20892-7324, USA.
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Körner M, Waser B, Reubi JC, Miller LJ. CCK(2) receptor splice variant with intron 4 retention in human gastrointestinal and lung tumours. J Cell Mol Med 2009; 14:933-43. [PMID: 19627395 PMCID: PMC2888751 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00859.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The wild-type cholecystokinin type 2 (CCK2) receptor is expressed in many gastrointestinal and lung tumours. A splice variant of the CCK2 receptor with retention of intron 4 (CCK2Ri4sv) showing constitutive activity associated with increased tumour growth was described in few colorectal, pancreatic and gastric cancers. Given the potential functional and clinical importance of this spliceoform, its occurrence was quantitatively characterized in a broad collection of 81 gastrointestinal and lung tumours, including insulinomas, ileal carcinoids, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), gastric, colorectal and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, cholangiocellular and hepatocellular carcinomas, small cell lung cancers (SCLC), non-SCLC (nSCLC) and bronchopulmonary carcinoids, as well as 21 samples of corresponding normal tissues. These samples were assessed for transcript expression of total CCK2 receptor, wild-type CCK2 receptor and CCK2Ri4sv with end-point and real-time RT-PCR, and for total CCK2 receptor protein expression on the basis of receptor binding with in vitro receptor autoradiography. Wild-type CCK2 receptor transcripts were found in the vast majority of tumours and normal tissues. CCK2Ri4sv mRNA expression was present predominantly in insulinomas (incidence 100%), GIST (100%) and SCLC (67%), but rarely in pancreatic, colorectal and gastric carcinomas and nSCLC. It was not found in wild-type CCK2 receptor negative tumours or any normal tissues tested. CCK2Ri4sv transcript levels in individual tumours were low, ranging from 0.02% to 0.14% of total CCK2 receptor transcripts. In conclusion, the CCK2Ri4sv is a marker of specific gastrointestinal and lung tumours. With its high selectivity for and high incidence in SCLC and GIST, it may represent an attractive clinical target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Körner
- Mayo Clinic, Cancer Center and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
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Körner M, Miller LJ. Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA in cancer: focus on G protein-coupled peptide hormone receptors. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2009; 175:461-72. [PMID: 19574427 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.081135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Through alternative splicing, multiple different transcripts can be generated from a single gene. Alternative splicing represents an important molecular mechanism of gene regulation in physiological processes such as developmental programming as well as in disease. In cancer, splicing is significantly altered. Tumors express a different collection of alternative spliceoforms than normal tissues. Many tumor-associated splice variants arise from genes with an established role in carcinogenesis or tumor progression, and their functions can be oncogenic. This raises the possibility that products of alternative splicing play a pathogenic role in cancer. Moreover, cancer-associated spliceoforms represent potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. G protein-coupled peptide hormone receptors provide a good illustration of alternative splicing in cancer. The wild-type forms of these receptors have long been known to be expressed in cancer and to modulate tumor cell functions. They are also recognized as attractive clinical targets. Recently, splice variants of these receptors have been increasingly identified in various types of cancer. In particular, alternative cholecystokinin type 2, secretin, and growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor spliceoforms are expressed in tumors. Peptide hormone receptor splice variants can fundamentally differ from their wild-type receptor counterparts in pharmacological and functional characteristics, in their distribution in normal and malignant tissues, and in their potential use for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Körner
- Institute of Pathology of the University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 31, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland.
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Körner MU, Hayes GM, Carrigan PE, Rehmann R, Miller LJ, Reubi JC. Wild-type and splice-variant secretin receptors in lung cancer: overexpression in carcinoid tumors and peritumoral lung tissue. Mod Pathol 2008; 21:387-95. [PMID: 18223557 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.3801005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal peptide hormone receptors, like somatostatin receptors, are often overexpressed in human cancer, allowing receptor-targeted tumor imaging and therapy. A novel candidate for these applications is the secretin receptor recently identified in pancreatic and cholangiocellular carcinomas. In the present study, secretin receptors were assessed in a non-gastrointestinal tissue, the human lung. Non-small-cell lung cancers (n=26), small-cell lung cancers (n=10), bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors (n=29), and non-neoplastic lung (n=46) were investigated for secretin receptor protein expression with in vitro receptor autoradiography, using (125)I-[Tyr(10)] rat secretin and for secretin receptor transcripts with RT-PCR. Secretin receptor protein expression was found in 62% of bronchopulmonary carcinoids in moderate to high density, in 12% of non-small cell lung cancers in low density, but not in small cell lung cancers. In tumors found to be secretin receptor positive by autoradiography, RT-PCR revealed transcripts for the wild-type secretin receptor and for novel secretin receptor splice variants. In the non-neoplastic lung, secretin receptor protein expression was observed in low density along the alveolar septa in direct tumor vicinity in cases of acute inflammation, but not in histologically normal lung. In the autoradiographically positive peritumoral lung, RT-PCR showed transcripts for the wild-type secretin receptor and for a secretin receptor spliceoform different from those occurring in lung and gut tumors. In conclusion, secretin receptors are new markers for bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors, and represent the molecular basis for an in vivo targeting of carcinoid tumors for diagnosis and therapy. Furthermore, secretin receptors may play a role in peritumoral lung pathophysiology. Secretin receptor mis-splicing specifically occurs in tumor and non-tumor lung pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike U Körner
- Division of Cell Biology and Experimental Cancer Research, Institute of Pathology of the University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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