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Weng D, Guo R, Dong C, Luo Y, Qiu D, Xu L, Xu G. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Fibroblast Activation Protein Using a Targeted Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent. Mol Pharm 2024. [PMID: 39159402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to synthesize a quinoline-based MRI contrast agent, Gd-DOTA-FAPI04, and assess its capacity for targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-positive tumors in vivo. Gd-DOTA-FAPI04 was synthesized by attaching a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) complex of gadolinium(III) to FAP inhibitor FAPI04. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of the contrast agent was measured using a Siemens Prisma 3.0T MR system, and the CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate its potential cytotoxicity. Male nude mice bearing tumors grown from FAP-expressing fibrosarcoma cells were divided into experimental (n = 4) and control (n = 4) groups, and T1-weighted image enhancement was measured at different times (0, 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min) postinjection of Gd-DOTA-FAPI04. The control group received an additional preinjection of excess FAPI04. FAP expression in tumor tissue was investigated by using immunohistochemistry with an anti-FAP antibody. The longitudinal relaxivities of gadodiamide and Gd-DOTA-FAPI04 were measured to be 3.734 mM-1 s-1 and 5.323 mM-1 s-1, respectively. The CCK-8 assay demonstrated that Gd-DOTA-FAPI04 has minimal toxicity to cultured human fibrosarcoma cells. In vivo MRI showed that peak accumulation of Gd-DOTA-FAPI04 in FAP-expressing tumors occurred 1 h postinjection and could be blocked by preinjection of excess FAPI04. Immunohistochemical analysis of harvested tumor tissue supported the above findings. Gd-DOTA-FAPI04 is a promising contrast agent for in vivo imaging of FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinghu Weng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Multimodal Medical Imaging Technology and Clinical Application, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Wuhan Clinical Research and Development Center of Brain Resuscitation and Functional Imaging, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Changling Dong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Multimodal Medical Imaging Technology and Clinical Application, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Wuhan Clinical Research and Development Center of Brain Resuscitation and Functional Imaging, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Dasheng Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Liying Xu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Multimodal Medical Imaging Technology and Clinical Application, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Wuhan Clinical Research and Development Center of Brain Resuscitation and Functional Imaging, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Guobin Xu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Multimodal Medical Imaging Technology and Clinical Application, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Wuhan Clinical Research and Development Center of Brain Resuscitation and Functional Imaging, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
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2
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Nicolescu C, Kim J, Sun D, Lu ZR. Assessment of the Efficacy of the Combination of RNAi of lncRNA DANCR with Chemotherapy to Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Magnetic Resonance Molecular Imaging. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:381-388. [PMID: 38446033 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) differentiation antagonizing noncoding RNA (DANCR) is overexpressed in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and promotes cell migration and proliferation. TNBC is limited in treatment options relative to hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and is commonly treated with chemotherapy, which is often compromised by acquired resistance. DANCR has been implicated in the development of chemoresistance across multiple cancer types. Here, we applied magnetic resonance molecular imaging (MRMI) with a targeted contrast agent, MT218, specific to extradomain-B fibronectin (EDB-FN), a marker for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of paclitaxel and ZD2-PEG-ECO/siDANCR nanoparticles (ZD2-siDANCR-ELNP) to treat TNBC. The treatment of orthotopic MDA-MB-231 TNBC in mice with paclitaxel significantly suppressed tumor growth but with a significant increase of EDB-FN in the tumor, as revealed by MRMI and immunohistochemistry. Combining ZD2-siDANCR-ELNP with paclitaxel further reduced tumor sizes, along with reduced EDB-FN expression. Interestingly, MT218-MRMI revealed a lower reduction of tumor signal enhancement with the combination treatment than that with the siDANCR treatment alone, which was supported by higher cell density in the tumors treated with the combination therapy, as shown by histochemical analysis. MT218-MRMI clearly revealed the changes of the tumor microenvironment in response to various therapies and is effective to noninvasively assess the response of TNBC tumors to the therapies. Regulating oncogenic lncRNA DANCR is an effective strategy for improving the outcomes of chemotherapy in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calin Nicolescu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Jiyoon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Da Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Li D, Kirberger M, Qiao J, Gui Z, Xue S, Pu F, Jiang J, Xu Y, Tan S, Salarian M, Ibhagui O, Hekmatyar K, Yang JJ. Protein MRI Contrast Agents as an Effective Approach for Precision Molecular Imaging. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:170-186. [PMID: 38180819 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cancer and other acute and chronic diseases are results of perturbations of common molecular determinants in key biological and signaling processes. Imaging is critical for characterizing dynamic changes in tumors and metastases, the tumor microenvironment, tumor-stroma interactions, and drug targets, at multiscale levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged to be a primary imaging modality for both clinical and preclinical applications due to its advantages over other modalities, including sensitivity to soft tissues, nondepth limitations, and the use of nonionizing radiation. However, extending the application of MRI to achieve both qualitative and quantitative precise molecular imaging with the capability to quantify molecular biomarkers for early detection, staging, and monitoring therapeutic treatment requires the capacity to overcome several major challenges including the trade-off between metal-binding affinity and relaxivity, which is an issue frequently associated with small chelator contrast agents. In this review, we will introduce the criteria of ideal contrast agents for precision molecular imaging and discuss the relaxivity of current contrast agents with defined first shell coordination water molecules. We will then report our advances in creating a new class of protein-targeted MRI contrast agents (ProCAs) with contributions to relaxivity largely derived from the secondary sphere and correlation time. We will summarize our rationale, design strategy, and approaches to the development and optimization of our pioneering ProCAs with desired high relaxivity, metal stability, and molecular biomarker-targeting capability, for precision MRI. From first generation (ProCA1) to third generation (ProCA32), we have achieved dual high r1 and r2 values that are 6- to 10-fold higher than clinically approved contrast agents at magnetic fields of 1.5 T, and their relaxivity values at high field are also significantly higher, which enables high resolution during small animal imaging. Further engineering of multiple targeting moieties enables ProCA32 agents that have strong biomarker-binding affinity and specificity for an array of key molecular biomarkers associated with various chronic diseases, while maintaining relaxation and exceptional metal-binding and selectivity, serum stability, and resistance to transmetallation, which are critical in mitigating risks associated with metal toxicity. Our leading product ProCA32.collagen has enabled the first early detection of liver metastasis from multiple cancers at early stages by mapping the tumor environment and early stage of fibrosis from liver and lung in vivo, with strong translational potential to extend to precision MRI for preclinical and clinical applications for precision diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjun Li
- From the Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA (D.L., M.K., J.Q., Z.G., S.X., P.F., J.J., S.T., M.S., O.I., K.H., J.J.Y.); and InLighta BioSciences, LLC, Marietta, GA (Y.X., J.J.Y)
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Li Y, Apseloff G, Tweedle MF, Gao S, Lu ZR. Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of the Cancer-Targeting MRI Contrast Agent MT218 in Healthy Males. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:165-169. [PMID: 38015107 PMCID: PMC10987082 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of MT218, a peptide-targeted gadolinium-based contrast agent, in healthy males. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-ascending-dose study including 30 healthy male subjects. In each dose group (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 mmol/kg), 4 subjects received MT218 and 2 subjects received placebo (saline) in bolus injections. The highest dose group (0.08 mmol/kg) was assessed in 2 cohorts, 1 fasted and 1 nonfasted. Clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, and electrocardiograms were investigated. Gadolinium concentrations were measured in plasma samples collected before administration and over a 24-hour period postinjection, and in urine specimens collected until 22 days. A noncompartmental model was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. A clinical and biological safety follow-up was carried out for up to 6 months. RESULTS No clinically significant modifications in biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis, electrocardiogram parameters, or vital signs were reported at any time point for any treatment group. No serious adverse events were observed in any dose group. Transient dizziness, hyperhidrosis, and injection site coldness were the main adverse events reported in both the MT218 and placebo groups. The mean total apparent clearance decreased slightly with increasing dose, and the median plasma t 1/2 ranged from 1.7 hours in the 0.01 mmol/kg group to 2.7 hours in the 0.08 mmol/kg nonfasted group. MT218 was rapidly excreted via renal filtration with 42.9% to 52.8% of the injected dose measured in urine within the first hour after administration, and 92.5% to 117.3% in urine within 24 hours. No Gd was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in urine after 21 days. CONCLUSION Single intravenous administration of MT218 was safely tolerated in the healthy males. Its pharmacokinetic parameters and safety profile are well aligned with those of other gadolinium-based contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Li
- Molecular Theranostics, LLC, Cleveland, OH 44114
| | - Glen Apseloff
- Ohio Clinical Trials, 1380 Edgehill Road, Columbus, OH 43212
| | - Michael F. Tweedle
- Wright Center of Innovation, Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Songqi Gao
- Molecular Theranostics, LLC, Cleveland, OH 44114
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Runge VM, Heverhagen JT. A New Era in Magnetic Resonance Contrast Media. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:105-107. [PMID: 37862104 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Next-generation gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), including both high relaxivity agents and targeted agents, and manganese-based agents with a high probably of commercial success are discussed in some depth. It is highly likely that gadopiclenol and gadoquatrane, both next-generation high relaxivity gadolinium-based compounds, will come in time to replace the current macrocyclic gadolinium chelates, despite the wide acceptance, very high safety profile, and high stability of the latter group. Current research has also made possible the development of 2 new targeted gadolinium chelates, which look very promising, with the potential to improve cancer detection (for both MT218 and ProCA32.collagen) as well as diseases of collagen (for the latter agent). Further work with manganese-based compounds, a topic left fallow for more than 20 years, has also now produced 2 agents with high potential for clinical use, one (manganese chloride tetrahydrate, administered orally) developed primarily for imaging of the liver and the other (Mn-PyC3A, administered intravenously) as a gadolinium-free replacement for the GBCAs. New detail has recently emerged regarding specific circumscribed subregions of the brain with specialized cytoarchitecture and functions in which high gadolinium concentrations are seen following injection of the linear agent gadodiamide. These findings pave the way for tailored functional neurological testing, specifically in patients at potential risk due to the continued wide use in many countries across the world of the linear GBCAs. The impact of artificial intelligence is also critically discussed, with its most likely applications being dose reduction and new clinical indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Val M Runge
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Interventional, and Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Xu W, Ye X, Wu M, Jiang X, Hugo Tse LH, Gu Y, Shu K, Xu L, Jian Y, Mo G, Xu J, Ding Y, Gao R, Shen J, Ye F, Yan Z, Dai L. Chiral Gd-DOTA as a Versatile Platform for Hepatobiliary and Tumor Targeting MRI Contrast Agents. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14669-14682. [PMID: 37855413 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The leakage of gadolinium ions (Gd3+) from commercial Gd3+-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in patients is currently the major safety concern in clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and the lack of task-specific GBCAs limits its usage in the early detection of disease and imaging of specific biological regions. Herein, ultrastable GBCAs were constructed via decorating chiral Gd-DOTA with a phenylic analogue to one of the pendent arms, and the stability constant was determined as high as 27.08, accompanied by negligible decomplexation in 1 M of HCl over 2 years. A hepatic-specific chiral Gd-DOTA was screened out as a potential alternative to commercial Gd-EOB-DTPA, while combination with functional molecules favored chiral Gd-DOTA as tumor targeting probes. Therefore, the novel chiral Gd-DOTA is believed to be an ideal platform for designing the next generation of GBCAs for various clinical purposes due to its outstanding inert nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyuan Xu
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xinjian Ye
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Lik Hang Hugo Tse
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Yanjuan Gu
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Kun Shu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Liuhui Xu
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Yong Jian
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Gengshen Mo
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Jiao Xu
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yinghui Ding
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Ruonan Gao
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Jianliang Shen
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Zhihan Yan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Lixiong Dai
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Innovation and Application of Intelligent Radiotherapy Technology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
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Nicolescu C, Schilb A, Kim J, Sun D, Hall R, Gao S, Gilmore H, Schiemann WP, Lu ZR. Evaluating Dual-Targeted ECO/siRNA Nanoparticles against an Oncogenic lncRNA for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy with Magnetic Resonance Molecular Imaging. CHEMICAL & BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2023; 1:461-470. [PMID: 37655165 PMCID: PMC10466452 DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.3c00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation antagonizing noncoding RNA (DANCR) is recognized as an oncogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) overexpressed in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We showed in a previous study that RNAi with targeted multifunctional ionizable lipid ECO/siRNA nanoparticles was effective to regulate this undruggable target for effective treatment of TNBC. In this study, we developed dual-targeted ECO/siDANCR nanoparticles by targeting a tumor extracellular matrix oncoprotein, extradomain B fibronectin (EDB-FN), and integrins overexpressed on cancer cells for enhanced delivery of siDANCR. The treatment of Hs578T TNBC cells and MCF-7 estrogen receptor-positive cells in vitro resulted in significant down-regulation of DANCR and EDB-FN and suppressed invasion and 3D spheroid formation of the cells. Magnetic resonance molecular imaging (MRMI) with an EDB-FN-targeted contrast agent, MT218, was used to noninvasively evaluate tumor response to treatment with the targeted ECO/siDANCR nanoparticles in female nude mice bearing orthotopic Hs578T and MCF-7 xenografts. MRMI with MT218 was effective to differentiate between aggressive TNBC with high DANCR and EDB-FN expression and ER+ MCF-7 tumors with low expression of the targets. MRMI showed that the dual-targeted ECO/siDANCR nanoparticles resulted in more significant inhibition of tumor growth in both models than the controls and significantly reduced EDB-FN expression in the TNBC tumors. The combination of MRMI and dual-targeted ECO/siDANCR nanoparticles is a promising approach for image-guided treatment of TNBC by regulating the onco-lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calin Nicolescu
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Andrew Schilb
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Jiyoon Kim
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Da Sun
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Ryan Hall
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Songqi Gao
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Hannah Gilmore
- Department
of Pathology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - William P. Schiemann
- Case
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Case
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Hall RC, Vaidya AM, Schiemann WP, Pan Q, Lu ZR. RNA-Seq Analysis of Extradomain A and Extradomain B Fibronectin as Extracellular Matrix Markers for Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050685. [PMID: 36899821 PMCID: PMC10000746 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternatively spliced forms of fibronectin, called oncofetal fibronectin, are aberrantly expressed in cancer, with little to no expression in normal tissue, making them attractive biomarkers to exploit for tumor-targeted therapeutics and diagnostics. While prior studies have explored oncofetal fibronectin expression in limited cancer types and limited sample sizes, no studies have performed a large-scale pan-cancer analysis in the context of clinical diagnostics and prognostics to posit the utility of these biomarkers across multiple cancer types. In this study, RNA-Seq data sourced from the UCSC Toil Recompute project were extracted and analyzed to determine the correlation between the expression of oncofetal fibronectin, including extradomain A and extradomain B fibronectin, and patient diagnosis and prognosis. We determined that oncofetal fibronectin is significantly overexpressed in most cancer types relative to corresponding normal tissues. In addition, strong correlations exist between increasing oncofetal fibronectin expression levels and tumor stage, lymph node activity, and histological grade at the time of diagnosis. Furthermore, oncofetal fibronectin expression is shown to be significantly associated with overall patient survival within a 10-year window. Thus, the results presented in this study suggest oncofetal fibronectin as a commonly upregulated biomarker in cancer with the potential to be used for tumor-selective diagnosis and treatment applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Hall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Amita M. Vaidya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - William P. Schiemann
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Quintin Pan
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-216-368-0187; Fax: +1-216-368-4969
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9
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Lu ZR, Laney V, Li Y. Targeted Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Molecular Imaging of Cancer. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:2833-2847. [PMID: 36121350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a clinical imaging modality that provides high-resolution images of soft tissues, including cancerous lesions. Stable gadolinium(III) chelates have been used as contrast agents (CA) in MRI to enhance the contrast between the tissues of interest and surrounding tissues for accurate diagnostic imaging. Magnetic resonance molecular imaging (MRMI) of cancer requires targeted CA to specifically elucidate cancer-associated molecular processes and can provide high-resolution delineation and characterization of cancer for precision medicine. The main challenge for MRMI is the lack of sufficient sensitivity to detect the low concentration of the cellular oncogenic markers. In addition, targeted CA must satisfy regulatory safety requirements prior to clinical development. Up to now, there is no FDA-approved targeted CA for MRMI of cancer.In this Account, we discuss the latest developments in the design and development of clinically translatable targeted CA for MRMI of cancer, with an emphasis on our own research. The primary limitation of MRMI can be overcome by designing small molecular targeted CA to target abundant cancer-specific targets found in the tumor microenvironment (TME). For example, aggressive tumors have a unique extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of oncoproteins, which can be used as targetable markers for MRMI. We have designed and prepared small peptide conjugates of clinical contrast agents, including Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA, to target fibrin-fibronectin clots in tumors. These small molecular CA have been effective in enhancing MRMI detection of solid tumors and have demonstrated the ability to detect submillimeter cancer micrometastases in mouse tumor models, exceeding the detection limit of current clinical imaging modalities. We have also identified extradomain B fibronectin (EDB-FN), an oncofetal subtype of fibronectin, as a promising TME target to leverage in the design and development of small peptide targeted CA for clinical translation. The expression level of EDB-FN is correlated with invasiveness of cancer cells and poor patient survival of multiple cancer types. ZD2 peptide with a sequence of seven amino acids (TVRTSAD) was identified to specifically bind to the EDB protein fragment. Several ZD2 conjugates of macrocyclic GBCA, including Gd-DOTA and Gd(HP-DO3A), have been synthesized and tested in mouse tumor models. ZD2-N3-Gd(HP-DO3A) (MT218) with a high r1 relaxivity was selected as the lead agent for clinical translation. The physicochemical properties and preclinical assessments of MT218 are summarized in this Account. MRMI of EDB-FN with MT218 can effectively detect invasive tumors of multiple cancers with risk-stratification and monitor tumor response to anticancer therapies in mouse models. Currently, MT218 is in clinical trials for precision cancer MRMI. Herein, we will show that using targeted MRI contrast agents specific to abundant TME biomarkers is a pragmatic solution for effective precision cancer imaging in high spatial resolution. And thus, we illustrate a replicable approach for CA development that is vital for cancer MRMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Wickenden Building, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Victoria Laney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Wickenden Building, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Yajuan Li
- Molecular Theranostics, 7100 Euclid Ave, Suite 152, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, United States
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