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Yang T, Shi D, Lin Q, Shen H, Tan H, Liu Y, Shi H, Cheng D. Synthesis, Screening, and Evaluation of Theranostic Molecular CPCR4-Based Probe Targeting CXCR4. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2415-2424. [PMID: 38606663 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01221] [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] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Chemokines and chemokine receptors are indispensable to play a key role in the development of malignant tumors. As one of the most widely expressed chemokine receptors, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been a popular research focus. In most tumors, CXCR4 expression is significantly upregulated. Moreover, integrated nuclide diagnosis and therapy targeting CXCR4 show great potential. [68Ga]Ga-pentixafor, a radioligand targeting CXCR4, exhibits a strong affinity for CXCR4 both in vivo and in vitro. However, [177Lu]Lu-pentixather, the therapeutic companion of [68Ga]Ga-pentixafor, requires significant refinement to mitigate its pronounced hepatic biodistribution. The objective of this study was to synthesize theranostic molecular tracers with superior CXCR4 targeting functions. The Daudi cell line, which highly expressed CXCR4, and the MM.1S cell line, which weakly expressed CXCR4, were used in this study. Based on the pharmacophore cyclo (-d-Tyr-n-me-d-Orn-l-Arg-L-2-NAL-Gly-) (CPCR4) of pentixafor, six tracers were synthesized: [124I]I-1 ([124I]I-CPCR4), [99mTc]Tc-2 ([99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-CPCR4), [124I]I-3 ([124I]I-pentixafor), [18F]AlF-4 ([18F]AlF-NETA-CPCR4), [99mTc]Tc-5 ([99mTc]Tc-MAG3-CPCR4) and [124I]I-6 ([124I]I-pentixafor-Ga) and their radiochemical purities were all higher than 95%. After positron emission tomography (PET)/single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, the [124I]I-6 group exhibited the best target-nontarget ratio. At the same time, comparing the [68Ga]Ga-pentixafor group with the [124I]I-6 group, we found that the [124I]I-6 group had a better target-nontarget ratio and lower uptake in nontarget organs. Therefore, compound 6 was selected for therapeutic radionuclide (131I) labeling, and the tumor-bearing animal models were treated with [131I]I-6. The volume of the tumor site was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with the control group, and no significant side effects were found. [124I]I-6 and [131I]I-6 showed excellent affinity for targeting CXCR4, and they showed great potential for the integrated diagnosis and treatment of tumors with high CXCR4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dai Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qingyu Lin
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hua Shen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Hui Tan
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuxia Liu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Hongcheng Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dengfeng Cheng
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Fath MA, Liu D, Ewald JT, Robles-Planells C, Tomanek-Chalkley AM, Graves SA, Howe JR, O'Dorisio TM, Rastogi P, Bellizzi AM, O'Dorisio MS, Menda Y, Spitz DR. Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Radioligand Targeted Therapy Using 177Lutetium-pentixather for Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cancers. Radiat Res 2024; 201:35-47. [PMID: 37989124 PMCID: PMC10896455 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00064.1] [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] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Intermediate to high-grade lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs; i.e., atypical carcinoid tumors) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are currently difficult to cure. These tumors were found to express the CXCR4 G-protein coupled receptor that can be targeted with radioligands. PCR and flow cytometric analysis of lung NET and NEC cell lines using an anti-CXCR4 antibody demonstrated that all cell lines tested expressed CXCR4. PET/CT imaging with 68Galium-pentixafor in mouse xenografts of NETs and NECs verified tumor targeting that was blocked by a CXCR4 agonist. Clonogenic survival analysis demonstrated a more than additive enhancement of killing when 1 μM auranofin (a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor) was used as a radiosensitizer in combination with 177Lu-pentixather (10 μCi). DMS273 small cell lung cancer xenografts in female nude mice treated with 25 μCi/g 177Lu-pentixather induced inhibition of tumor growth and resulted in an increase in overall survival without causing unacceptable normal tissue toxicities. Immunohistochemical staining of 95 retrospective human samples (containing 90 small cell lung carcinomas) demonstrated 84% CXCR4 positivity. In a multivariable analysis of this cohort that included age, gender, stage, primary site, SSTR2 status, and CXCR4 status, Cox regression models determined that only distant metastasis at presentation (P < 0.01) and a CXCR4 H-score >30 (P = 0.04) were significantly associated with reduced survival. Prospective clinical testing of patient tumors identified CXCR4-positivity in 76% of 21 NECs, 67% of 15 lung NETs (including 8 of 10 atypical carcinoids), and 0% of 25 non-lung NETs (including 5 NETS G3s). These data support the hypothesis that CXCR4-targeted theranostics can be utilized effectively for select NETs and NECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Fath
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Dijie Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Jordan T Ewald
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Claudia Robles-Planells
- Department of Pediatrics, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Ann M Tomanek-Chalkley
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Stephen A Graves
- Department of Radiology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - James R Howe
- Department of Surgery, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Thomas M O'Dorisio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Prerna Rastogi
- Department of Pathology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Andrew M Bellizzi
- Department of Pathology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - M Sue O'Dorisio
- Department of Pediatrics, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Yusuf Menda
- Department of Radiology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
| | - Douglas R Spitz
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
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Konrad M, Rinscheid A, Wienand G, Nittbaur B, Wester HJ, Janzen T, Lapa C, Pfob CH, Schottelius M. [ 99mTc]Tc-PentixaTec: development, extensive pre-clinical evaluation, and first human experience. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:3937-3948. [PMID: 37597009 PMCID: PMC10611619 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06395-x] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The clinical success non-invasive imaging of CXCR4 expression using [68 Ga]Ga-PentixaFor-PET warrants an expansion of the targeting concept towards conventional scintigraphy/SPECT with their lower cost and general availability. To this aim, we developed and comparatively evaluated a series of 99mTc-labeled cyclic pentapeptides based on the PentixaFor scaffold. METHODS Six mas3-conjugated CPCR4 analogs with different 4-aminobenzoic acid (Abz)-D-Ala-D-Arg-aa3 linkers (L1-L6) as well as the corresponding HYNIC- and N4-analogs of L6-CPCR4 were synthesized via standard SPPS. Competitive binding studies (IC50 and IC50inv) were carried out using Jurkat T cell lymphoma cells and [125I]FC-131 as radioligand. Internalization kinetics were investigated using hCXCR4-overexpressing Chem-1 cells. Biodistribution studies and small animal SPECT/CT imaging (1 h p.i.) were carried out using Jurkat xenograft bearing CB17/SCID mice. Based on the preclinical results, [99mTc]Tc-N4-L6-CPCR4 ([99mTc]Tc-PentixaTec) was selected for an early translation to the human setting. Five patients with hematologic malignancies underwent [99mTc]Tc-N4-L6-CPCR4 SPECT/planar imaging with individual dosimetry. RESULTS Of the six mas3-conjugated peptides, mas3-L6-CPCR4 (mas3-dap-r-a-Abz-CPCR4) showed the highest CXCR4 affinity (IC50 = 5.0 ± 1.3 nM). Conjugation with N4 (N4-L6-CPCR4) further improved hCXCR4 affinity to 0.6 ± 0.1 nM. [99mTc]Tc-N4-L6-CPCR4 also showed the most efficient internalization (97% of total cellular activity at 2 h) and the highest tumor accumulation (8.6 ± 1.3% iD/g, 1 h p.i.) of the compounds investigated. Therefore, [99mTc]Tc-N4-L6-CPCR4 (termed [99mTc]Tc-PentixaTec) was selected for first-in-human application. [99mTc]Tc-PentixaTec was well tolerated, exhibits a favorable biodistribution and dosimetry profile (2.1-3.4 mSv per 500 MBq) and excellent tumor/background ratios in SPECT and planar imaging. CONCLUSION The successive optimization of the amino acid composition of the linker structure and the N-terminal 99mTc-labeling strategies (mas3 vs HYNIC vs N4) has provided [99mTc]Tc-PentixaTec as a novel, highly promising CXCR4-targeted SPECT agent for clinical application. With its excellent CXCR4 affinity, efficient internalization, high uptake in CXCR4-expressing tissues, suitable clearance/biodistribution characteristics, and favorable human dosimetry, it holds great potential for further clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Konrad
- Chair for Pharmaceutical Radiochemistry, Faculties of Chemistry and Medicine, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Andreas Rinscheid
- Medical Physics and Radiation Protection, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Georgine Wienand
- Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Nittbaur
- Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Wester
- Chair for Pharmaceutical Radiochemistry, Faculties of Chemistry and Medicine, Technische Universität München, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Tilman Janzen
- Medical Physics and Radiation Protection, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Constantin Lapa
- Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christian Helmut Pfob
- Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Margret Schottelius
- Translational Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Rue du Bugnon 25A, Agora, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- AGORA, Pôle de Recherche Sur Le Cancer, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- SCCL Swiss Cancer Center Leman, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Gaonkar RH, Schmidt YT, Mansi R, Almeida-Hernanadez Y, Sanchez-Garcia E, Harms M, Münch J, Fani M. Development of a New Class of CXCR4-Targeting Radioligands Based on the Endogenous Antagonist EPI-X4 for Oncological Applications. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37328158 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The peptide fragment of human serum albumin that was identified as an inhibitor of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), termed EPI-X4, was investigated as a scaffold for the development of CXCR4-targeting radio-theragnostics. Derivatives of its truncated version JM#21 (ILRWSRKLPCVS) were conjugated to 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and tested in Jurkat and Ghost-CXCR4 cells. Ligand-1, -2, -5, -6, -7, -8, and -9 were selected for radiolabeling. Molecular modeling indicated that 177Lu-DOTA incorporation C-terminally did not interfere with the CXCR4 binding. Lipophilicity, in vitro plasma stability, and cellular uptake hinted 177Lu-7 as superior. In Jurkat xenografts, all radioligands showed >90% washout from the body within an hour, with the exception of 177Lu-7 and 177Lu-9. 177Lu-7 demonstrated best CXCR4-tumor targeting. Ex vivo biodistribution and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging of 177Lu-7/68Ga-7 showed the same distribution profile for both radioligands, characterized by very low uptake in all nontargeted organs except the kidneys. The data support the feasibility of CXCR4-targeting with EPI-X4-based radioligands and designate ligand-7 as a lead candidate for further optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuvir Haridas Gaonkar
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Theragnostics, University Hospital Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Yannik Tim Schmidt
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Theragnostics, University Hospital Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Rosalba Mansi
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Theragnostics, University Hospital Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Yasser Almeida-Hernanadez
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45117, Germany
- Computational Bioengineering, Faculty of Bio- and Chemical Engineering, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45117, Germany
- Computational Bioengineering, Faculty of Bio- and Chemical Engineering, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Melpomeni Fani
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Theragnostics, University Hospital Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
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Yu J, Zhou X, Shen L. CXCR4-Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals for the Imaging and Therapy of Malignant Tumors. Molecules 2023; 28:4707. [PMID: 37375261 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124707] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), also known as fusin or CD184, is a 7-transmembrane helix G-protein-coupled receptor that is encoded by the CXCR4 gene. Involved in various physiological processes, CXCR4 could form an interaction with its endogenous partner, chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), which is also named SDF-1. In the past several decades, the CXCR4/CXCL12 couple has attracted a large amount of research interest due to its critical functions in the occurrence and development of refractory diseases, such as HIV infection, inflammatory diseases, and metastatic cancer, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Furthermore, overexpression of CXCR4 in tumor tissues was shown to have a high correlation with tumor aggressiveness and elevated risks of metastasis and recurrence. The pivotal roles of CXCR4 have encouraged an effort around the world to investigate CXCR4-targeted imaging and therapeutics. In this review, we would like to summarize the implementation of CXCR4-targeted radiopharmaceuticals in the field of various kinds of carcinomas. The nomenclature, structure, properties, and functions of chemokines and chemokine receptors are briefly introduced. Radiopharmaceuticals that could target CXCR4 will be described in detail according to their structure, such as pentapeptide-based structures, heptapeptide-based structures, nonapeptide-based structures, etc. To make this review a comprehensive and informative article, we would also like to provide the predictive prospects for the CXCR4-targeted species in future clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yu
- HTA Co., Ltd., Beijing 102413, China
- Department of Nuclear Technology Application, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- HTA Co., Ltd., Beijing 102413, China
| | - Langtao Shen
- HTA Co., Ltd., Beijing 102413, China
- National Isotope Center of Engineering and Technology, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China
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Martin S, Viertl D, Janz A, Habringer S, Keller U, Schottelius M. Influence of corticosteroid treatment on CXCR4 expression in DLBCL. EJNMMI Res 2023; 13:40. [PMID: 37162652 PMCID: PMC10172459 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-023-00993-4] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CXCR4-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) with [177Lu]Lu/[90Y]Y-PentixaTher has recently evolved as a promising therapeutic option for patients with advanced hematological cancers. Given their advanced disease stage, most patients scheduled for PentixaTher RLT require concomitant or bridging chemotherapy to prevent intermittent tumor progression. These (mostly combination) therapies may cause significant downregulation of tumoral CXCR4 expression, challenging the applicability of PentixaTher RLT. This study therefore aimed at investigating the influence of corticosteroids, a central component of these chemotherapies, on CXCR4 regulation in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS Different DLBCL cell lines (Daudi, OCI-LY1, SUDHL-4, -5-, -6 and -8) as well as the human T-cell lymphoma cell line Jurkat were incubated with Dexamethasone (Dex; 0.5 and 5 µM, respectively) and Prednisolone (Pred; 5 and 50 µM, respectively) for different time points (2 h, 24 h). Treatment-induced modulation of cellular CXCR4 surface expression was assessed via flow cytometry (FC) and compared to untreated cells. A radioligand binding assay with [125I]CPCR4.3 was performed in parallel using the same cells. To quantify potential corticosteroid treatment effects on tumoral CXCR4 expression in vivo, OCI-LY1 bearing NSG mice were injected 50 µg Dex/mouse i.p. (daily for 6 days). Then, a biodistribution study (1 h p.i.) using [68Ga]PentixaTher was performed, and tracer biodistribution in treated (n = 5) vs untreated mice (n = 5) was compared. RESULTS In the in vitro experiments, a strongly cell line-dependent upregulation of CXCR4 was observed for both Dex and Pred treatment, with negligible differences between the high and low dose. While in Jurkat, Daudi and SUDHL-8 cells, CXCR4 expression remained unchanged, a 1.5- to 3.5-fold increase in CXCR4 cell surface expression was observed for SUDHL-5 < SUDHL-4 /-6 < OCI-LY1 via FC compared to untreated cells. This increase in CXCR4 expression was also reflected in correspondingly enhanced [125I]CPCR4.3 accumulation in treated cells, with a linear correlation between FC and radioligand binding data. In vivo, Dex treatment led to a general increase of [68Ga]PentixaTher uptake in all organs compared to untreated animals, as a result of a higher tracer concentration in blood. However, we observed an overproportionally enhanced [68Ga]PentixaTher uptake in the OCI-LY1 tumors in treated (21.0 ± 5.5%iD/g) vs untreated (9.2 ± 2.8%iD/g) mice, resulting in higher tumor-to-background ratios in the treatment group. CONCLUSION Overall, corticosteroid treatment (Dex/Pred) consistently induced an upregulation of CXCR4 expression DBLCL cells in vitro, albeit in a very cell line-dependent manner. For the cell line with the most pronounced Dex-induced CXCR4 upregulation, OCI-LY1, the in vitro findings were corroborated by an in vivo biodistribution study. This confirms that at least the corticosteroid component of stabilizing chemotherapy regimens in DLBCL patients prior to [177Lu]Lu-PentixaTher RLT does not lead to downregulation of the molecular target CXCR4 and may even have a beneficiary effect. However, further studies are needed to investigate if and to what extent the other commonly used chemotherapeutic agents affect CXCR4 expression on DLBCL to ensure the choice of an appropriate treatment regimen prior to [177Lu]Lu/[90Y]Y-PentixaTher RLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Martin
- Translational Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 25A, Agora, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- AGORA, Pôle de Recherche Sur Le Cancer, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- SCCL Swiss Cancer Center Leman, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Viertl
- Translational Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 25A, Agora, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- AGORA, Pôle de Recherche Sur Le Cancer, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- SCCL Swiss Cancer Center Leman, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anna Janz
- PentixaPharm GmbH, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Habringer
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center (MDC), 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center (MDC), 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Margret Schottelius
- Translational Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 25A, Agora, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- AGORA, Pôle de Recherche Sur Le Cancer, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- SCCL Swiss Cancer Center Leman, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Renard I, Domarkas J, Poty S, Burke BP, Roberts DP, Goze C, Denat F, Cawthorne CJ, Archibald SJ. In vivo validation of 68Ga-labeled AMD3100 conjugates for PET imaging of CXCR4. Nucl Med Biol 2023; 120-121:108335. [PMID: 37068392 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2023.108335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The chemokine receptor CXCR4 has been shown to be over-expressed in multiple types of cancer and is usually associated with aggressive phenotypes and poor prognosis. Successfully targeting and imaging the expression level of this receptor in tumours could inform treatment selection and facilitate patient stratification. METHODS Known conjugates of AMD3100 that are specific to CXCR4 have been radiolabelled with gallium-68 and evaluated in naïve and tumour-bearing mice. Tumour uptake of the radiotracers was compared to the known CXCR4-specific PET imaging agent, [68Ga]Pentixafor. RESULTS Ex vivo biodistribution in naïve animals showed CXCR4-mediated uptake in the liver with both radiotracers, confirmed by blocking experiments with the high affinity CXCR4 antagonist Cu2CB-Bicyclam (IC50 = 3 nM). PET/CT imaging studies revealed one tracer to have a higher accumulation in the tumour (SUVMean of 0.89 ± 0.14 vs 0.32 ± 0.11). CXCR4-specificity of the best performing tracer was confirmed by administration of a blocking dose of Cu2CB-Bicyclam, showing a 3- and 6-fold decrease in tumour and liver uptake, respectively. CONCLUSION AND ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE This initial study offers some interesting insights on the impact of some structural features on the pharmacokinetics and metabolic stability of the radiotracer. Additionally, as Pentixafor only binds to human CXCR4, the development of CXCR4-targeted imaging agents that bind to the receptor across different species could significantly help with preclinical evaluation of new CXCR4-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaline Renard
- Centre for Biomedicine and PET Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Juozas Domarkas
- Centre for Biomedicine and PET Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Sophie Poty
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, UMR 6302, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Benjamin P Burke
- Centre for Biomedicine and PET Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - David P Roberts
- Centre for Biomedicine and PET Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Christine Goze
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, UMR 6302, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France.
| | - Franck Denat
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, UMR 6302, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France.
| | - Christopher J Cawthorne
- Centre for Biomedicine and PET Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK; Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Stephen J Archibald
- Centre for Biomedicine and PET Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK.
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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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Autoradiography on deparaffinized tissue sections - A feasibility study with 68Ga-labeled PET-tracers. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 189:110425. [PMID: 36030760 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110425] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Tissue available for retrospective research questions is often already paraffin-embedded for better preservation. However, in vitro autoradiography (AURA) is normally performed on cryopreserved tissue sections. We hypothesized a) that it would also be feasible with deparaffinized tissue sections, enabling the use of human paraffin-embedded tissue for in vitro AURA and b) that the results would be comparable to those obtained with corresponding cryosections. For that purpose, the clinically relevant oncological targets CXCR4, SSTR and PSMA were evaluated. In vitro AURA on deparaffinized tissue sections was feasible, but only with the two receptor ligands [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor and [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC. [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 did not show any binding on deparaffinized tissue sections, suggesting that native tissue is required for an interaction between this inhibitor and the enzyme.
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10
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Schottelius M, Herrmann K, Lapa C. In Vivo Targeting of CXCR4-New Horizons. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5920. [PMID: 34885030 PMCID: PMC8656854 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Given its pre-eminent role in the context of tumor cell growth as well as metastasis, the C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has attracted a lot of interest in the field of nuclear oncology, and clinical evidence on the high potential of CXCR4-targeted theranostics is constantly accumulating. Additionally, since CXCR4 also represents a key player in the orchestration of inflammatory responses to inflammatory stimuli, based on its expression on a variety of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells (e.g., macrophages and T-cells), CXCR4-targeted inflammation imaging has recently gained considerable attention. Therefore, after briefly summarizing the current clinical status quo of CXCR4-targeted theranostics in cancer, this review primarily focuses on imaging of a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases via the quantification of tissue infiltration with CXCR4-expressing immune cells. An up-to-date overview of the ongoing preclinical and clinical efforts to visualize inflammation and its resolution over time is provided, and the predictive value of the CXCR4-associated imaging signal for disease outcome is discussed. Since the sensitivity and specificity of CXCR4-targeted immune cell imaging greatly relies on the availability of suitable, tailored imaging probes, recent developments in the field of CXCR4-targeted imaging agents for various applications are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margret Schottelius
- Translational Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Medicine and of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Constantin Lapa
- Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
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Osl T, Schmidt A, Schwaiger M, Schottelius M, Wester HJ. A new class of PentixaFor- and PentixaTher-based theranostic agents with enhanced CXCR4-targeting efficiency. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:8264-8280. [PMID: 32724470 PMCID: PMC7381729 DOI: 10.7150/thno.45537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive PET imaging of CXCR4 expression in cancer and inflammation as well as CXCR4-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) have recently found their way into clinical research by the development of the theranostic agents [68Ga]PentixaFor (cyclo(D-Tyr1-D-[NMe]Orn2(AMBS-[68Ga]DOTA)-Arg3-Nal4-Gly5) = [68Ga]DOTA-AMBS-CPCR4) and [177Lu/90Y]PentixaTher (cyclo(D-3-iodo-Tyr1-D-[NMe]Orn2(AMBS-[177Lu/90Y]DOTA)-Arg3-Nal4-Gly5) = [177Lu/90Y]DOTA-AMBS-iodoCPCR4). Although convincing clinical results have already been obtained with both agents, this study was designed to further investigate the required structural elements for improved ligand-receptor interaction for both peptide cores (CPCR4 and iodoCPCR4). To this aim, a series of DOTA-conjugated CPCR4- and iodoCPCR4-based ligands with new linker structures, replacing the AMBA-linker in PentixaFor and PentixaTher, were synthesized and evaluated. Methods: The in vitro investigation of the novel compounds alongside with the reference peptides PentixaFor and PentixaTher encompassed the determination of hCXCR4 and mCXCR4 affinity (IC50) of the respective natGa-, natLu-, natY- and natBi-complexes in Jurkat and Eμ-myc 1080 cells using [125I]FC-131 and [125I]CPCR4.3 as radioligands, respectively, as well as the evaluation of the internalization and externalization kinetics of selected 68Ga- and 177Lu-labeled compounds in hCXCR4-transfected Chem-1 cells. Comparative small animal PET imaging studies (1h p.i.) as well as in vivo biodistribution studies (1, 6 and 48h p.i.) were performed in Daudi (human B cell lymphoma) xenograft bearing CB17 SCID mice. Results: Based on the affinity data and cellular uptake studies, [68Ga/177Lu]DOTA-r-a-ABA-CPCR4 and [68Ga/177Lu]DOTA-r-a-ABA-iodoCPCR4 (with r-a-ABA = D-Arg-D-Ala-4-aminobenzoyl-) were selected for further evaluation. Both analogs show app. 10-fold enhanced hCXCR4 affinity compared to the respective references [68Ga]PentixaFor and [177Lu]PentixaTher, four times higher cellular uptake in hCXCR4 expressing cells and improved cellular retention. Unfortunately, the improved in vitro binding and uptake characteristics of [68Ga]DOTA-r-a-ABA-CPCR4 and -iodoCPCR4 could not be recapitulated in initial PET imaging studies; both compounds showed similar uptake in the Daudi xenografts as [68Ga]PentixaFor, alongside with higher background accumulation, especially in the kidneys. However, the subsequent biodistribution studies performed for the corresponding 177Lu-labeled analogs revealed a clear superiority of [177Lu]DOTA-r-a-ABA-CPCR4 and [177Lu]DOTA-r-a-ABA-iodoCPCR4 over [177Lu]PentixaTher with respect to tumor uptake (18.3±3.7 and 17.2±2.0 %iD/g, respectively, at 1h p.i. vs 12.4±3.7%iD/g for [177Lu]PentixaTher) as well as activity retention in tumor up to 48h. Especially for [177Lu]DOTA-r-a-ABA-CPCR4 with its low background accumulation, tumor/organ ratios at 48h were 2- to 4-fold higher than those obtained for [177Lu]PentixaTher (except for kidney). Conclusions: The in-depth evaluation of a series of novel CPCR4- and iodoCPCR4 analogs with modified linker structure has yielded reliable structure-activity relationships. It was generally observed that a) AMBA-by-ABA-substitution leads to enhanced ligand internalization, b) the extension of the ABA-linker by two additional amino acids (DOTA-Xaa2-Xaa1-ABA-) provides sufficient linker length to minimize the interaction of the [M3+]DOTA-chelate with the receptor, and that c) introduction of a cationic side chain (Xaa2) greatly enhances receptor affinity of the constructs, obliterating the necessity for Tyr1-iodination of the pentapeptide core to maintain high receptor affinity (such as in [177Lu]PentixaTher). As a result, [177Lu]DOTA-r-a-ABA-CPCR4 has emerged from this study as a powerful second-generation therapeutic CXCR4 ligand with greatly improved targeting efficiency and tumor retention and will be further evaluated in preclinical and clinical CXCR4-targeted dosimetry and RLT studies.
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