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Klemenz L, Wolf I, Storz J, Schultze-Seemann S, Gratzke C, Lauw S, Brückner R, Wolf P. Photoimmunotherapy of HER2-expressing Breast Cancer Cells. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:361-367. [PMID: 38944426 PMCID: PMC11215433 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant disease worldwide. Localized stages of BC can be successfully treated by surgery. However, local recurrence occurs in about 4-10% of patients, requiring systemic treatments that impair the patients' quality of life and shortens life expectancy. Therefore, new therapeutic options are needed, which can be used intraoperatively and contribute to the complete removal of residual tumor cells in the surgical area. In the present study, we describe a cysteine-modified variant of the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab, that was coupled to the silicon phthalocyanine photosensitizer dye WB692-CB1 for the photoimmunotherapy (PIT) of BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cysteine modified trastuzumab variant was cloned and expressed in Expi293F cells. After purification via immobilized affinity chromatography, the antibody was coupled to the dye. Cell binding of the antibody and the antibody dye conjugate was measured by flow cytometry. After incubation of BC cells with the conjugate and activation of the dye by irradiation with red light, cell viability was determined. RESULTS The antibody and the conjugate showed specific binding to HER2-expressing BC cells. Treatment of the HER2high BC cell line SK-BR-3 with the conjugate followed by irradiation with a red light dose of 32 J/cm2 led to complete cell killing within 24 h. CONCLUSION Our novel antibody dye conjugate represents a promising candidate for intraoperative treatment of localized BC, aiming to eliminate residual tumor cells in the surgical area and potentially reduce local recurrence, thereby improving recovery prospects for BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Klemenz
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Storz
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susan Lauw
- Core Facility Signaling Factory & Robotics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Brückner
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Fischer A, Masilamani AP, Schultze-Seemann S, Wolf I, Gratzke C, Fuchs H, Wolf P. Synergistic Cytotoxicity of a Toxin Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and the Glycosylated Triterpenoid SO1861 in Prostate Cancer. J Cancer 2023; 14:3039-3049. [PMID: 37859824 PMCID: PMC10583583 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of advanced prostate cancer lacks specificity and curative intent. Therefore, the need for new targeted therapeutic approaches is high. In the present study, we generated the new targeted toxin EGF-PE24mutΔREDLK binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of prostate cancer cells. It consists of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) as binding domain and a de-immunized variant of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE), called PE24mutΔREDLK, as toxin domain. The toxin domain contains a deletion of the C-terminal KDEL-like motif REDLK to prevent its transport from sorting endosomes via the KDEL receptor mediated pathway into the cytosol, where it can inhibit cellular protein biosynthesis and induce apoptosis. Indeed, REDLK deletion resulted in a strong decrease in cytotoxicity of the targeted toxin in prostate cancer cells compared to the parental targeted toxin EGF-PE24mut. However, addition of the plant glycosylated triterpenoid SO1861, which is known to mediate the release of biomolecules from endolysosomal compartments into the cytosol, resulted in an up to almost 7,000-fold enhanced synergistic cytotoxicity. Moreover, combination of PE24mutΔREDLK with SO1861 led to a cytotoxicity that was even 16- to 300-fold enhanced compared to that of EGF-PE24mut. Endolysosomal entrapment of the non-toxic targeted toxin EGF-PE24mutΔREDLK followed by activation through enhanced endosomal escape therefore represents a new promising approach for the future treatment of advanced prostate cancer with high efficacy and diminished side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Fischer
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anie Priscilla Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry; Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Masilamani AP, Huber N, Nagl C, Dettmer-Monaco V, Monaco G, Wolf I, Schultze-Seemann S, Taromi S, Gratzke C, Fuchs H, Wolf P. Enhanced cytotoxicity of a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A based immunotoxin against prostate cancer by addition of the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1211824. [PMID: 37484018 PMCID: PMC10358361 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1211824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins consist of an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a specific cell surface structure and a cytotoxic domain that kills the cell after cytosolic uptake. Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) based immunotoxins directed against a variety of tumor entities have successfully entered the clinic. PE possesses a KDEL-like motif (REDLK) that enables the toxin to travel from sorting endosomes via the KDEL-receptor pathway to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), from where it is transported into the cytosol. There, it ADP-ribosylates the eukaryotic elongation factor 2, resulting in ribosome inhibition and finally apoptosis. One major problem of immunotoxins is their lysosomal degradation causing the need for much more immunotoxin molecules than finally required for induction of cell death. The resulting dose limitations and substantially increased side effects require new strategies to achieve improved cytosolic uptake. Here we generated an immunotoxin consisting of a humanized single chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the de-immunized PE variant PE24mut. This immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mut, showed high and specific cytotoxicity in PSMA-expressing prostate cancer cells. We deleted the REDLK sequence to prevent transport to the ER and achieve endosomal entrapment. The cytotoxicity of this immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK, was greatly reduced. To restore activity, we added the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861 and observed an up to 190,000-fold enhanced cytotoxicity corresponding to a 57-fold enhancement compared to the initial immunotoxin with the REDLK sequence. A biodistribution study with different routes of administration clearly showed that the subcutaneous injection of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK in mice resulted in the highest tumor uptake. Treatment of mice bearing prostate tumors with a combination of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK plus SO1861 resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and enhanced overall survival compared to the monotherapies. The endosomal entrapment of non-toxic anti-PSMA immunotoxins followed by enhanced endosomal escape by SO1861 provides new therapeutic options in the future management of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anie P. Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nathalie Huber
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Nagl
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Viviane Dettmer-Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gianni Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanaz Taromi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, University Furtwangen, VS-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Preclinical comparative study of [ 18F]AlF-PSMA-11 and [ 18F]PSMA-1007 in varying PSMA expressing tumors. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15744. [PMID: 36130980 PMCID: PMC9492661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20060-7] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of 18F-labeled PSMA-targeting PET radiotracers have been developed, including [18F]AlF-PSMA-11. As there is only limited data on the comparison with other 18F-labeled PSMA PET tracers, a comparative preclinical study between [18F]AlF-PSMA-11 and [18F]PSMA-1007 was conducted. Mice with varying PSMA expressing tumors (C4-2, 22Rv1 and PC-3, each n = 5) underwent two PET/CT scans with both [18F]AlF-PSMA-11 and [18F]PSMA-1007. Ten additional mice bearing C4-2 xenografts were subjected to ex vivo biodistribution with either [18F]AlF-PSMA-11 (n = 5) or [18F]PSMA-1007 (n = 5). Absolute SUVmean and SUVmax values were significantly higher for [18F]PSMA-1007 scans in both C4-2 tumors (p < 0.01) and 22Rv1 tumors (p < 0.01). In C4-2 xenograft bearing mice, the tumor-to-organ ratios did not significantly differ between [18F]AlF-PSMA-11 and [18F]PSMA-1007 for liver, muscle, blood and salivary glands (p > 0.05). However, in 22Rv1 xenograft bearing mice, all tumor-to-organ ratios were higher for [18F]AlF-PSMA-11 (p < 0.01). In healthy organs, [18F]PSMA-1007 uptake was higher in the liver, gallbladder, small intestines and glands. Biodistribution data confirmed the increased uptake in the heart, small intestines and liver with [18F]PSMA-1007. Absolute tumor uptake was higher with [18F]PSMA-1007 in all tumors. Tumor-to-organ ratios did not differ significantly in high PSMA expressing tumors, but were higher for [18F]AlF-PSMA-11 in low PSMA expressing tumors. Furthermore, [18F]PSMA-1007 showed higher uptake in healthy organs.
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Aayush A, Darji S, Dhawan D, Enstrom A, Broman MM, Idrees MT, Kaimakliotis H, Ratliff T, Knapp D, Thompson D. Targeted elastin-like polypeptide fusion protein for near-infrared imaging of human and canine urothelial carcinoma. Oncotarget 2022; 13:1004-1016. [PMID: 36082359 PMCID: PMC9447490 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystoscopic visualization of bladder cancer is an essential method for initial bladder cancer detection and diagnosis, transurethral resection, and monitoring for recurrence. We sought to develop a new intravesical imaging agent that is more specific and sensitive using a polypeptide based NIR (near-infrared) probe designed to detect cells bearing epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) that are overexpressed in 80% of urothelial carcinoma (UC) cases. The NIR imaging agent consisted of an elastin like polypeptide (ELP) fused with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and conjugated to Cy5.5 to give Cy5.5-N24-EGF as a NIR contrast agent. In addition to evaluation in human cells and tissues, the agent was tested in canine cell lines and tissue samples with naturally occurring invasive UC. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy were used to test cell-associated fluorescence of the probe in T24 human UC cells, and in K9TCC-SH (high EGFR expression) and K9TCC-Original (low EGF expression) canine cell lines. The probe specifically engages these cells through EGFR within 15 min of incubation and reached saturation within a clinically relevant 1 h timeframe. Furthermore, ex vivo studies with resected canine and human bladder tissues showed minimal signal from normal adjacent tissue and significant NIR fluorescence labeling of tumor tissue, in good agreement with our in vitro findings. Differential expression of EGFR ex vivo was revealed by our probe and confirmed by anti-EGFR immunohistochemical staining. Taken together, our data suggests Cy5.5-ELP-EGF is a NIR probe with improved sensitivity and selectivity towards BC that shows excellent potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayush Aayush
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, Bindley Bioscience Center, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Saloni Darji
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, Bindley Bioscience Center, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Deepika Dhawan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Alexander Enstrom
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Meaghan M. Broman
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Muhammad T. Idrees
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hristos Kaimakliotis
- Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Timothy Ratliff
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Deborah Knapp
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - David Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, Bindley Bioscience Center, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Pang Z, Gu MD, Tang T. Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cancer Therapy: Current Knowledge, Challenges and Future Perspectives. Front Oncol 2022; 12:891187. [PMID: 35574361 PMCID: PMC9095937 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.891187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance, undesirable toxicity and lack of selectivity are the major challenges of conventional cancer therapies, which cause poor clinical outcomes and high mortality in many cancer patients. Development of alternative cancer therapeutics are highly required for the patients who are resistant to the conventional cancer therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The success of a new cancer therapy depends on its high specificity to cancer cells and low toxicity to normal cells. Utilization of bacteria has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Attenuated or genetically modified bacteria were used to inhibit tumor growth, modulate host immunity, or deliver anti-tumor agents. The bacteria-derived immunotoxins were capable of destructing tumors with high specificity. These bacteria-based strategies for cancer treatment have shown potent anti-tumor effects both in vivo and in vitro, and some of them have proceeded to clinical trials. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen, is one of the common bacteria used in development of bacteria-based cancer therapy, particularly known for the Pseudomonas exotoxin A-based immunotoxins, which have shown remarkable anti-tumor efficacy and specificity. This review concisely summarizes the current knowledge regarding the utilization of P. aeruginosa in cancer treatment, and discusses the challenges and future perspectives of the P. aeruginosa-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Pang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Meng-Di Gu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Tong Tang
- School of Art & Design, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
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Ammon A, Mellenthin L, Emmerich C, Naschberger E, Stürzl M, Mackensen A, Müller F. Reduced cytotoxicity by mutation of Lysine 590 of Pseudomonas exotoxin can be restored in an optimized, Lysine-free immunotoxin. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2022; 2:ltac007. [PMID: 35919491 PMCID: PMC9327129 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltac007] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins, which are fusion proteins of an antibody fragment and a fragment of a bacterial or a plant toxin, induce apoptosis in target cells by inhibition of protein synthesis. ADP-ribosylating toxins often have few lysine residues in their catalytic domain. As they are the target for ubiquitination, the low number of lysines possibly prevents ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the toxin in the cytosol. To reduce this potential degradation, we aimed to generate a lysine-free (noK), Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE)-based immunotoxin. The new generation 24 kDa PE, which lacks all but the furin-cleavage site of domain II, was mutated at lysine 590 (K590) and at K606 in a CD22-targeting immunotoxin and activity was determined against various B cell malignancies in vitro and in vivo. On average, K590 mutated to arginine (R) reduced cytotoxicity by 1.3-fold and K606R enhanced cytotoxicity by 1.3-fold compared to wild type (wt). Mutating K590 to histidine or deleting K590 did not prevent this loss in cytotoxicity. Neither stability nor internalization rate of K590R could explain reduced cytotoxicity. These results highlight the relevance of lysine 590 for PE intoxication. In line with in vitro results, the K606R mutant was more than 1.8-fold more active than the other variants in vivo suggesting that this single mutation may be beneficial when targeting CD22-positive malignancies. Finally, reduced cytotoxicity by K590R was compensated for by K606R and the resulting lysine-free variant achieved wt-like activity in vitro and in vivo. Thus, PE24-noK may represent a promising candidate for down-stream applications that would interfere with lysines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ammon
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Mellenthin
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Charlotte Emmerich
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Naschberger
- Division of Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Translational Research Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Stürzl
- Division of Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Translational Research Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Zhang T, Cai J, Xu M, Ma X, Wang H, Wang M, Han Z, Wang J, Smith E, Li Z, Wu Z. Development of 18F-Labeled Vinyl Sulfone-PSMAi Conjugates as New PET Agents for Prostate Cancer Imaging. Mol Pharm 2021; 19:720-727. [PMID: 34936367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands have been rapidly adopted as part of patient care for prostate cancer. In this study, a new series of 18F-labeled PSMA-targeting agents was developed based on the high-affinity Glu-ureido-Lys scaffold and 18F-vinyl sulfones (VSs), the tumor uptake and tumor/major organ contrast of which could be tuned by pharmacokinetic linkers within the molecules. In particular, 18F-PEG3-VS-PSMAi showed the highest tumor uptake (12.1 ± 2.2%ID/g at 0.5 h p.i.) and 18F-PEG2-VS-PSMAi showed the highest tumor-to-liver ratio (T/L = 3.7 ± 1.0, 4.8 ± 1.2, and 6.3 ± 1.1 at 0.5, 1.5, and 3 h p.i. respectively). Significantly, compared with the FDA-approved 68Ga-PSMA-11, the newly developed 18F-PEG3-VS-PSMAi has an almost double tumor uptake (P < 0.0001) when tested in the same animal model. In conclusion, 18F-VS-labeled PSMA ligands are promising PET agents with prominent tumor uptake and high contrast. The lead agents 18F-PEG2-VS-PSMAi and 18F-PEG3-VS-PSMAi warrant further evaluation in prostate cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jinghua Cai
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Muyun Xu
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Xinrui Ma
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Mengzhe Wang
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zhaoguo Han
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jason Wang
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Eric Smith
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zibo Li
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Wolf P. Targeted Toxins for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080986. [PMID: 34440190 PMCID: PMC8391386 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, new treatment options are urgently needed for advanced stages of the disease. Targeted toxins are chemical conjugates or fully recombinant proteins consisting of a binding domain directed against a target antigen on the surface of cancer cells and a toxin domain, which is transported into the cell for the induction of apoptosis. In the last decades, targeted toxins against prostate cancer have been developed. Several challenges, however, became apparent that prevented their direct clinical use. They comprise immunogenicity, low target antigen binding, endosomal entrapment, and lysosomal/proteasomal degradation of the targeted toxins. Moreover, their efficacy is impaired by prostate tumors, which are marked by a dense microenvironment, low target antigen expression, and apoptosis resistance. In this review, current findings in the development of targeted toxins against prostate cancer in view of effective targeting, reduction of immunogenicity, improvement of intracellular trafficking, and overcoming apoptosis resistance are discussed. There are promising approaches that should lead to the clinical use of targeted toxins as therapeutic alternatives for advanced prostate cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; ; Tel.: +49-761-270-28921
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Stenberg VY, Juzeniene A, Bruland ØS, Larsen RH. In situ Generated <sup>212</sup>Pb-PSMA Ligand in a <sup>224</sup>Ra-Solution for Dual Targeting of Prostate Cancer Sclerotic Stroma and PSMA-positive Cells. Curr Radiopharm 2021; 13:130-141. [PMID: 32389119 PMCID: PMC7527546 DOI: 10.2174/1874471013666200511000532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background: New treatments combating bone and extraskeletal metastases are needed for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The majority of metastases overexpress prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), making it an ideal candidate for targeted radionuclide therapy. Objective: The aim of this study was to test a novel liquid 224Ra/212Pb-generator for the rapid preparation of a dual-alpha targeting solution. Here, PSMA-targeting ligands are labelled with 212Pb in the 224Ra-solution in transient equilibrium with daughter nuclides. Thus, natural bone-seeking 224Ra targeting sclerotic bone metastases and 212Pb-chelated PSMA ligands targeting PSMA-expressing tumour cells are obtained. Methods: Two PSMA-targeting ligands, the p-SCN-Bn-TCMC-PSMA ligand (NG001), specifically developed for chelating 212Pb, and the most clinically used DOTA-based PSMA-617 were labelled with 212Pb. Radiolabelling and targeting potential were investigated in situ, in vitro (PSMA-positive C4-2 human prostate cancer cells) and in vivo (athymic mice bearing C4-2 xenografts). Results: NG001 was rapidly labelled with 212Pb (radiochemical purity >94% at concentrations of ≥15 µg/ml) using the liquid 224Ra/212Pb-generator. The high radiochemical purity and stability of [212Pb]Pb-NG001 were demonstrated over 48 hours in the presence of ascorbic acid and albumin. Similar binding abilities of the 212Pb-labelled ligands were observed in C4-2 cells. The PSMA ligands displayed comparable tumour uptake after 2 hours, but NG001 showed a 3.5-fold lower kidney uptake than PSMA-617. Radium-224 was not chelated and, hence, showed high uptake in bones. Conclusion: A fast method for the labelling of PSMA ligands with 212Pb in the 224Ra/212Pb-solution was developed. Thus, further in vivo studies with dual tumour targeting by alpha-particles are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilde Y Stenberg
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Nucligen AS, Oslo, Norway,Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Asta Juzeniene
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øyvind S Bruland
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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11
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George R, Gsottberger F, Ammon A, Wendland K, Mellenthin L, Mackensen A, Müller F. Triton X-114 and Amine-Based Wash Strategy Reduces Lipopolysaccharides to FDA Limit and Achieves Purer, More Potent Recombinant Immunotoxin. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:713-720. [PMID: 33793193 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Many proteins are still routinely expressed prokaryotically in Escherichia coli, some because they are toxic to eukaryotes. Immunotoxins, which are fusion proteins of a targeting moiety and a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A, kill target cells by arresting protein synthesis. Thus, immunotoxins must be expressed in E. coli. Proteins expressed in E. coli are contaminated by endotoxin (also called lipopolysaccharides (LPS)). LPS binds to toll-like receptors, inducing up to life-threatening systemic inflammation in mammals. Therefore, accepted LPS limits for therapeutics as well as for substances used in immunological studies in animals are very low. Here, we report the use of Triton X-114 and polyamine-based wash strategies, which only in combination achieved LPS-contamination well below FDA limits. Resulting LPS-reduced immunotoxins were purer and up to 2.4-fold more active in vitro. Increased activity was associated with a 2.4-fold increase in affinity on cell surface expressed target antigen. The combination method maintained enzymatic function, protein stability, and in vivo efficacy and was effective for Fab as well as dsFv formats. With some modifications, the principle of this novel combination may be applied to any chromatography-based purification process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka George
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Gsottberger
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Ammon
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wendland
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Mellenthin
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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12
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Fischer A, Wolf I, Fuchs H, Masilamani AP, Wolf P. Pseudomonas Exotoxin A Based Toxins Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E753. [PMID: 33260619 PMCID: PMC7761469 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12120753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was found to be a valuable target on prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, EGFR inhibitors mostly failed in clinical studies with patients suffering from PCa. We therefore tested the targeted toxins EGF-PE40 and EGF-PE24mut consisting of the natural ligand EGF as binding domain and PE40, the natural toxin domain of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A, or PE24mut, the de-immunized variant thereof, as toxin domains. Both targeted toxins were expressed in the periplasm of E.coli and evoked an inhibition of protein biosynthesis in EGFR-expressing PCa cells. Concentration- and time-dependent killing of PCa cells was found with IC50 values after 48 and 72 h in the low nanomolar or picomolar range based on the induction of apoptosis. EGF-PE24mut was found to be about 11- to 120-fold less toxic than EGF-PE40. Both targeted toxins were more than 600 to 140,000-fold more cytotoxic than the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib. Due to their high and specific cytotoxicity, the EGF-based targeted toxins EGF-PE40 and EGF-PE24mut represent promising candidates for the future treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Fischer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.F.); (I.W.); (A.P.M.)
- Department of Urology, Antibody-Based Diagnostics and Therapies, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.F.); (I.W.); (A.P.M.)
- Department of Urology, Antibody-Based Diagnostics and Therapies, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Anie Priscilla Masilamani
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.F.); (I.W.); (A.P.M.)
- Department of Urology, Antibody-Based Diagnostics and Therapies, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.F.); (I.W.); (A.P.M.)
- Department of Urology, Antibody-Based Diagnostics and Therapies, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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13
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Engineered Fragments of the PSMA-Specific 5D3 Antibody and Their Functional Characterization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186672. [PMID: 32932591 PMCID: PMC7555429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is an established biomarker for the imaging and experimental therapy of prostate cancer (PCa), as it is strongly upregulated in high-grade primary, androgen-independent, and metastatic lesions. Here, we report on the development and functional characterization of recombinant single-chain Fv (scFv) and Fab fragments derived from the 5D3 PSMA-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). These fragments were engineered, heterologously expressed in insect S2 cells, and purified to homogeneity with yields up to 20 mg/L. In vitro assays including ELISA, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, revealed that the fragments retain the nanomolar affinity and single target specificity of the parent 5D3 antibody. Importantly, using a murine xenograft model of PCa, we verified the suitability of fluorescently labeled fragments for in vivo imaging of PSMA-positive tumors and compared their pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution to the parent mAb. Collectively, our data provide an experimental basis for the further development of 5D3 recombinant fragments for future clinical use.
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14
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PSMA-Directed CAR T Cells Combined with Low-Dose Docetaxel Treatment Induce Tumor Regression in a Prostate Cancer Xenograft Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 18:226-235. [PMID: 32728611 PMCID: PMC7372156 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy targeting CD19 has shown remarkable success in patients with lymphoid malignancies, the potency of CAR T cells in solid tumors is low so far. To improve the efficacy of CAR T cells targeting prostate carcinoma, we designed a novel CAR that recognizes a new epitope in the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and established novel paradigms to apply CAR T cells in a preclinical prostate cancer model. In vitro characterization of the D7 single-chain antibody fragment-derived anti-PSMA CAR confirmed that the choice of the co-stimulatory domain is a major determinant of CAR T cell activation, differentiation, and exhaustion. In vivo, focal injections of the PSMA CAR T cells eradicated established human prostate cancer xenografts in a preclinical mouse model. Moreover, systemic intravenous CAR T cell application significantly inhibited tumor growth in combination with non-ablative low-dose docetaxel chemotherapy, while docetaxel or CAR T cell application alone was not effective. In conclusion, the focal application of D7-derived CAR T cells and their combination with chemotherapy represent promising immunotherapeutic avenues to treat local and advanced prostate cancer in the clinic.
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15
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Masilamani AP, Dettmer-Monaco V, Monaco G, Cathomen T, Kuckuck I, Schultze-Seemann S, Huber N, Wolf P. An Anti-PSMA Immunotoxin Reduces Mcl-1 and Bcl2A1 and Specifically Induces in Combination with the BAD-Like BH3 Mimetic ABT-737 Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061648. [PMID: 32580291 PMCID: PMC7352695 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins in advanced prostate cancer leads to therapeutic resistance by prevention of cell death. New therapeutic approaches aim to target the Bcl-2 proteins for the restoration of apoptosis. Methods: The immunotoxin hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE40 specifically binds to the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on prostate cancer cells and inhibits protein biosynthesis. It was tested with respect to its effects on the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Combination with the BAD-like mimetic ABT-737 was examined on prostate cancer cells and 3D spheroids and in view of tumor growth and survival in the prostate cancer SCID mouse xenograft model. Results: The immunotoxin led to a specific inhibition of Mcl-1 and Bcl2A1 expression in PSMA expressing target cells. Its combination with ABT-737, which inhibits Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-w, led to an induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and to a synergistic cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells and 3D spheroids. Furthermore, combination therapy led to a significantly prolonged survival of mice bearing prostate cancer xenografts based on an inhibition of tumor growth. Conclusion: The combination therapy of anti-PSMA immunotoxin plus ABT-737 represents the first tumor-specific therapeutic approach on the level of Bcl-2 proteins for the induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anie P. Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.P.M.); (I.K.); (S.S.-S.); (N.H.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Viviane Dettmer-Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gianni Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Irina Kuckuck
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.P.M.); (I.K.); (S.S.-S.); (N.H.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.P.M.); (I.K.); (S.S.-S.); (N.H.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Nathalie Huber
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.P.M.); (I.K.); (S.S.-S.); (N.H.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.P.M.); (I.K.); (S.S.-S.); (N.H.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (V.D.-M.); (G.M.); (T.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-761-270-28921
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16
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Winter G, Koch ABF, Löffler J, Lindén M, Solbach C, Abaei A, Li H, Glatting G, Beer AJ, Rasche V. Multi-Modal PET and MR Imaging in the Hen's Egg Test-Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) Model for Initial in Vivo Testing of Target-Specific Radioligands. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051248. [PMID: 32429233 PMCID: PMC7281765 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The validation of novel target-specific radioligands requires animal experiments mostly using mice with xenografts. A pre-selection based on a simpler in vivo model would allow to reduce the number of animal experiments, in accordance with the 3Rs principles (reduction, replacement, refinement). In this respect, the chick embryo or hen’s egg test–chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) model is of special interest, as it is not considered an animal until day 17. Thus, we evaluated the feasibility of quantitative analysis of target-specific radiotracer accumulation in xenografts using the HET-CAM model and combined positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For proof-of-principle we used established prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive and PSMA-negative prostate cancer xenografts and the clinically widely used PSMA-specific PET-tracer [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. Tracer accumulation was quantified by PET and tumor volumes measured with MRI (n = 42). Moreover, gamma-counter analysis of radiotracer accumulation was done ex-vivo. A three- to five-fold higher ligand accumulation in the PSMA-positive tumors compared to the PSMA-negative tumors was demonstrated. This proof-of-principle study shows the general feasibility of the HET-CAM xenograft model for target-specific imaging with PET and MRI. The ultimate value for characterization of novel target-specific radioligands now has to be validated in comparison to mouse xenograft experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Winter
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
- Correspondence: (G.W.); (V.R.); Tel.: +49-731-500-61364 (G.W.); +49-731-500-45014 (V.R.)
| | - Andrea B. F. Koch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
| | - Jessica Löffler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
| | - Mika Lindén
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry II, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Christoph Solbach
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
| | - Alireza Abaei
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
| | - Hao Li
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
| | - Gerhard Glatting
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Radiation Physics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Ambros J. Beer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
| | - Volker Rasche
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
- Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: (G.W.); (V.R.); Tel.: +49-731-500-61364 (G.W.); +49-731-500-45014 (V.R.)
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17
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Stenberg VY, Juzeniene A, Chen Q, Yang X, Bruland ØS, Larsen RH. Preparation of the alpha-emitting prostate-specific membrane antigen targeted radioligand [ 212 Pb]Pb-NG001 for prostate cancer. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2020; 63:129-143. [PMID: 31919866 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is the most promising target for radioligand therapy of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to prepare a small molecular ligand p-SCN-Bn-TCMC-PSMA (NG001) and compare it with the commonly used DOTA-based PSMA-617. The PSMA-targeting ability of the 212 Pb-labelled ligands was evaluated using PSMA-positive C4-2 human prostate cancer cells. Lead-212 is an in vivo generator of alpha particles by its daughter nuclides 212 Bi and 212 Po. NG001 was synthesized by conjugating the isothiocyanato group of p-SCN-Bn-TCMC to the amino group of a glutamate-urea-based PSMA-binding entity. Molecular size, chelator unit and chelator linking method are different in NG001 and PSMA-617. Both ligands were efficiently labelled with 212 Pb using a 224 Ra/212 Pb-solution generator in transient equilibrium with progeny. Lead-212-labelled NG001 was purified with a yield of 85.9±4.7% and with 0.7±0.2% of 224 Ra. Compared with [212 Pb]Pb-PSMA-617, [212 Pb]Pb-NG001 displayed a similar binding and internalization in C4-2 cells, with comparable tumour uptake in mice bearing C4-2 tumours, but almost a 2.5-fold lower kidney uptake. Due to the rapid normal tissue clearance and tumour cell internalization, any significant translocalization of 212 Bi was not detected in mice. In conclusion, the obtained results warrant further preclinical studies to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of [212 Pb]Pb-NG001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilde Yuli Stenberg
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research and Development, Nucligen AS, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Asta Juzeniene
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Qingqi Chen
- Department of Drug Synthesis, MedKoo Biosciences, Morrisville, North Carolina
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Drug Synthesis, MedKoo Biosciences, Morrisville, North Carolina
| | - Øyvind Sverre Bruland
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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18
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Wüstemann T, Haberkorn U, Babich J, Mier W. Targeting prostate cancer: Prostate-specific membrane antigen based diagnosis and therapy. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:40-69. [PMID: 29771460 DOI: 10.1002/med.21508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The high incidence rates of prostate cancer (PCa) raise demand for improved therapeutic strategies. Prostate tumors specifically express the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a membrane-bound protease. As PSMA is highly overexpressed on malignant prostate tumor cells and as its expression rate correlates with the aggressiveness of the disease, this tumor-associated biomarker provides the possibility to develop new strategies for diagnostics and therapy of PCa. Major advances have been made in PSMA targeting, ranging from immunotherapeutic approaches to therapeutic small molecules. This review elaborates the diversity of PSMA targeting agents while focusing on the radioactively labeled tracers for diagnosis and endoradiotherapy. A variety of radionuclides have been shown to either enable precise diagnosis or efficiently treat the tumor with minimal effects to nontargeted organs. Most small molecules with affinity for PSMA are based on either a phosphonate or a urea-based binding motif. Based on these pharmacophores, major effort has been made to identify modifications to achieve ideal pharmacokinetics while retaining the specific targeting of the PSMA binding pocket. Several tracers have now shown excellent clinical usability in particular for molecular imaging and therapy as proven by the efficiency of theranostic approaches in current studies. The archetypal expression profile of PSMA may be exploited for the treatment with alpha emitters to break radioresistance and thus to bring the power of systemic therapy to higher levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Wüstemann
- Department for Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department for Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Babich
- Department for Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Walter Mier
- Department for Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Noll T, Schultze-Seemann S, Kuckuck I, Michalska M, Wolf P. Synergistic cytotoxicity of a prostate cancer-specific immunotoxin in combination with the BH3 mimetic ABT-737. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:413-422. [PMID: 29188305 PMCID: PMC11028116 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In many tumors, including prostate cancer, anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family are overexpressed and cause cell death resistance, which is a typical hallmark of cancer. Different therapeutic approaches, therefore, aim to restore the death mechanisms for enhanced apoptosis. Our recombinant immunotoxin D7(VL-VH)-PE40 is composed of the scFv D7(VL-VH) against the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on the surface of prostate cancer cells and of the cytotoxic domain of the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE40). Since Pseudomonas Exotoxin A-based immunotoxins are known to preferentially inhibit the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, the rationale was to test our immunotoxin in combination with the BH3 mimetic ABT-737, which specifically inhibits Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-w for enhanced induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. The immunotoxin showed high and specific binding and cytotoxicity against PSMA expressing prostate cancer cells marked by a direct inhibition of Mcl-1. The combination of the immunotoxin with a subtoxic concentration of ABT-737 caused additive or even synergistic effects, which were based on an enhanced apoptosis induction as detected by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and Caspase-3 cleavage in Western blot. Our study shows that the combination therapy of immunotoxin plus ABT-737 is a promising approach for the future treatment of advanced prostate cancer to improve therapeutic efficacy and to reduce adverse side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Noll
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Irina Kuckuck
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marta Michalska
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
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Aston WJ, Hope DE, Nowak AK, Robinson BW, Lake RA, Lesterhuis WJ. A systematic investigation of the maximum tolerated dose of cytotoxic chemotherapy with and without supportive care in mice. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:684. [PMID: 29037232 PMCID: PMC5644108 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3677-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cytotoxic chemotherapeutics form the cornerstone of systemic treatment of many cancers. Patients are dosed at maximum tolerated dose (MTD), which is carefully determined in phase I studies. In contrast, in murine studies, dosages are often based on customary practice or small pilot studies, which often are not well documented. Consequently, research groups need to replicate experiments, resulting in an excess use of animals and highly variable dosages across the literature. In addition, while patients often receive supportive treatments in order to allow dose escalation, mice do not. These issues could affect experimental results and hence clinical translation. Methods To address this, we determined the single-dose MTD in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice for a range of chemotherapeutics covering the canonical classes, with clinical score and weight as endpoints. Results We found that there was some variation in MTDs between strains and the tolerability of repeated cycles of chemotherapy at MTD was drug-dependent. We also demonstrate that dexamethasone reduces chemotherapy-induced weight loss in mice. Conclusion These data form a resource for future studies using chemotherapy in mice, increasing comparability between studies, reducing the number of mice needed for dose optimisation experiments and potentially improving translation to the clinic. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3677-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne J Aston
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, 5th Floor, QQ Block, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Danika E Hope
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, 5th Floor, QQ Block, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Anna K Nowak
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, 5th Floor, QQ Block, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Bruce W Robinson
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, 5th Floor, QQ Block, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Richard A Lake
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, 5th Floor, QQ Block, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - W Joost Lesterhuis
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, 5th Floor, QQ Block, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
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