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Nagy Á, Ulmert D, Zedan W, Storey CM, Park J, Geres S, Lückerath K, Sjöström K, Westin H, Peekhaus N, Thorek DL, Karlström AE, Altai M. Impact of site-specific conjugation strategies on the pharmacokinetics of antibody conjugated radiotherapeutics. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 280:116927. [PMID: 39378827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116927] [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: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 09/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Antibody radionuclide conjugates are an emerging modality for targeted imaging and potent therapy of disseminated disease. Coupling of radionuclides to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is typically achieved by applying non-site-specific labelling techniques. With the ambition of reducing variability, increasing labelling efficacy and stability, several site-specific conjugation strategies have been developed in recent years for toxin- and fluorophore-mAb conjugates. In this study, we studied two site-specific labelling strategies for the conjugation of the macrocyclic chelating agent, DOTA, to the anti-Leucine Rich Repeat Containing 15 (LRRC15) mAb DUNP19. Specifically, one approach utilized a DOTA-bearing peptide (FcIII) with a strong affinity for the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain of the human IgG1 of DUNP19 (DUNP19LF-FcIII-DOTASS), while the other leveraged a chemo-enzymatic technique to substitute the N-linked bi-antennary oligosaccharides in the human IgG1 Fc domain with DOTA (DUNP19LF-gly-DOTASS). To assess if these methods impact the antibody's binding properties and targeting efficacy, comparative in vitro and in vivo studies of the generated DUNP19-conjugates were performed. While the LRRC15 binding of both radioimmunoconjugates remained intact, the conjugation methods had different impacts on their abilities to interact with FcRn and FcγRs. In vitro assessments of DUNP19LF-FcIII-DOTASS and DUNP19LF-gly-DOTASS demonstrated markedly decreased affinity for FcRn and FcγRIIIa (CD16), respectively. DUNP19LF-FcIII-DOTASS demonstrated increased blood and tissue kinetics in vivo, confirming loss of FcRn binding. While the ablated FcγR interaction of DUNP19LF-gly-DOTASS had no immediate impact on in vivo biodistribution, reduced immunotherapeutic effect can be expected in future studies as a result of reduced NK-cells interaction. In conclusion, our findings underscore the necessity for meticulous consideration and evaluation of mAb labelling strategies, extending beyond mere conjugation efficiency and radiolabeling yields. Notably, site-specific labelling methods were found to significantly influence the immunological impact of Fc interactions. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to consider the intended diagnostic or therapeutic application of the construct and to adopt conjugation strategies that ensure the preservation of critical pharmacological properties and functionality of the antibody in use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ábel Nagy
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Ulmert
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lund University Cancer Centre (LUCC), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Wahed Zedan
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Claire M Storey
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julie Park
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Susanne Geres
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katharina Lückerath
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, DKTK, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Norbert Peekhaus
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Lj Thorek
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Oncologic Imaging Program, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Lund University Cancer Centre (LUCC), Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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2
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Liu Y, Xu T, Vorobyeva A, Loftenius A, Bodenko V, Orlova A, Frejd FY, Tolmachev V. Radionuclide Therapy of HER2-Expressing Xenografts Using [ 177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 Affibody Molecule Alone and in Combination with Trastuzumab. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092409. [PMID: 37173878 PMCID: PMC10177614 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
ABY-027 is a scaffold-protein-based cancer-targeting agent. ABY-027 includes the second-generation Affibody molecule ZHER2:2891, which binds to human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2). An engineered albumin-binding domain is fused to ZHER2:2891 to reduce renal uptake and increase bioavailability. The agent can be site-specifically labeled with a beta-emitting radionuclide 177Lu using a DOTA chelator. The goals of this study were to test the hypotheses that a targeted radionuclide therapy using [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 could extend the survival of mice with HER2-expressing human xenografts and that co-treatment with [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 and the HER2-targeting antibody trastuzumab could enhance this effect. Balb/C nu/nu mice bearing HER2-expressing SKOV-3 xenografts were used as in vivo models. A pre-injection of trastuzumab did not reduce the uptake of [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 in tumors. Mice were treated with [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 or trastuzumab as monotherapies and a combination of these therapies. Mice treated with vehicle or unlabeled ABY-027 were used as controls. Targeted monotherapy using [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 improved the survival of mice and was more efficient than trastuzumab monotherapy. A combination of therapies utilizing [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 and trastuzumab improved the treatment outcome in comparison with monotherapies using these agents. In conclusion, [177Lu]Lu-ABY-027 alone or in combination with trastuzumab could be a new potential agent for the treatment of HER2-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Liu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tianqi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Vitalina Bodenko
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Y Frejd
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Affibody AB, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
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3
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Comparative Preclinical Evaluation of HER2-Targeting ABD-Fused Affibody ® Molecules 177Lu-ABY-271 and 177Lu-ABY-027: Impact of DOTA Position on ABD Domain. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060839. [PMID: 34200197 PMCID: PMC8226825 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiolabeled Affibody-based targeting agent 177Lu-ABY-027, a fusion of an anti-HER2 Affibody molecule with albumin binding domain (ABD) site-specifically labeled at the C-terminus, has demonstrated a promising biodistribution profile in mice; binding of the construct to albumin prevents glomerular filtration and significantly reduces renal uptake. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that site-specific positioning of the chelator at helix 1 of ABD, at a maximum distance from the albumin binding site, would further increase the strength of binding to albumin and decrease the renal uptake. The new construct, ABY-271 with DOTA conjugated at the back of ABD, has been labelled with 177Lu. Targeting properties of 177Lu-ABY-271 and 177Lu-ABY-027 were compared directly. 177Lu-ABY-271 specifically accumulated in SKOV-3 xenografts in mice. The tumor uptake of 177Lu-ABY-271 exceeded uptake in any other organ 24 h and later after injection. However, the renal uptake of 177Lu-ABY-271 was two-fold higher than the uptake of 177Lu-ABY-027. Thus, the placement of chelator on helix 1 of ABD does not provide desirable reduction of renal uptake. To conclude, minimal modification of the design of Affibody molecules has a strong effect on biodistribution, which cannot be predicted a priori. This necessitates extensive structure-properties relationship studies to find an optimal design of Affibody-based targeting agents for therapy.
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Affibody Molecules as Targeting Vectors for PET Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030651. [PMID: 32168760 PMCID: PMC7139392 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are small (58 amino acids) engineered scaffold proteins that can be selected to bind to a large variety of proteins with a high affinity. Their small size and high affinity make them attractive as targeting vectors for molecular imaging. High-affinity affibody binders have been selected for several cancer-associated molecular targets. Preclinical studies have shown that radiolabeled affibody molecules can provide highly specific and sensitive imaging on the day of injection; however, for a few targets, imaging on the next day further increased the imaging sensitivity. A phase I/II clinical trial showed that 68Ga-labeled affibody molecules permit an accurate and specific measurement of HER2 expression in breast cancer metastases. This paper provides an overview of the factors influencing the biodistribution and targeting properties of affibody molecules and the chemistry of their labeling using positron emitters.
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Fu R, Carroll L, Yahioglu G, Aboagye EO, Miller PW. Antibody Fragment and Affibody ImmunoPET Imaging Agents: Radiolabelling Strategies and Applications. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2466-2478. [PMID: 30246488 PMCID: PMC6587488 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies have long been recognised as potent vectors for carrying diagnostic medical radionuclides, contrast agents and optical probes to diseased tissue for imaging. The area of ImmunoPET combines the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with antibodies to improve the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of diseases. Recent developments in antibody engineering and PET radiochemistry have led to a new wave of experimental ImmunoPET imaging agents that are based on a range of antibody fragments and affibodies. In contrast to full antibodies, engineered affibody proteins and antibody fragments such as minibodies, diabodies, single-chain variable region fragments (scFvs), and nanobodies are much smaller but retain the essential specificities and affinities of full antibodies in addition to more desirable pharmacokinetics for imaging. Herein, recent key developments in the PET radiolabelling strategies of antibody fragments and related affibody molecules are highlighted, along with the main PET imaging applications of overexpressed antigen-associated tumours and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruisi Fu
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonExhibition RoadSouth Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZUK
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, Department of Surgery and CancerImperial College London, Hammersmith CampusDu Cane RoadLondonW12 0NNUK
| | - Laurence Carroll
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, Department of Surgery and CancerImperial College London, Hammersmith CampusDu Cane RoadLondonW12 0NNUK
| | - Gokhan Yahioglu
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonExhibition RoadSouth Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZUK
- Antikor Biopharma Ltd.StevenageSG1 2FXUK
| | - Eric O. Aboagye
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, Department of Surgery and CancerImperial College London, Hammersmith CampusDu Cane RoadLondonW12 0NNUK
| | - Philip W. Miller
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonExhibition RoadSouth Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZUK
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6
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Tolmachev V, Grönroos TJ, Yim CB, Garousi J, Yue Y, Grimm S, Rajander J, Perols A, Haaparanta-Solin M, Solin O, Ferdani R, Orlova A, Anderson CJ, Karlström AE. Molecular design of radiocopper-labelled Affibody molecules. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6542. [PMID: 29695813 PMCID: PMC5916907 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24785-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of long-lived positron emitters 64Cu or 61Cu for labelling of Affibody molecules may improve breast cancer patients’ stratification for HER-targeted therapy. Previous animal studies have shown that the use of triaza chelators for 64Cu labelling of synthetic Affibody molecules is suboptimal. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that the use of cross-bridged chelator, CB-TE2A, in combination with Gly-Glu-Glu-Glu spacer for labelling of Affibody molecules with radiocopper would improve imaging contrast. CB-TE2A was coupled to the N-terminus of synthetic Affibody molecules extended either with a glycine (designation CB-TE2A-G-ZHER2:342) or Gly-Glu-Glu-Glu spacer (CB-TE2A-GEEE-ZHER2:342). Biodistribution and targeting properties of 64Cu-CB-TE2A-G-ZHER2:342 and 64Cu-CB-TE2A-GEEE-ZHER2:342 were compared in tumor-bearing mice with the properties of 64Cu-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1, which had the best targeting properties in the previous study. 64Cu-CB-TE2A-GEEE-ZHER2:342 provided appreciably lower uptake in normal tissues and higher tumor-to-organ ratios than 64Cu-CB-TE2A-G-ZHER2:342 and 64Cu-NODAGA-ZHER2:S1. The most pronounced was a several-fold difference in the hepatic uptake. At the optimal time point, 6 h after injection, the tumor uptake of 64Cu-CB-TE2A-GEEE-ZHER2:342 was 16 ± 6%ID/g and tumor-to-blood ratio was 181 ± 52. In conclusion, a combination of the cross-bridged CB-TE2A chelator and Gly-Glu-Glu-Glu spacer is preferable for radiocopper labelling of Affibody molecules and, possibly, other scaffold proteins having high renal re-absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Tove J Grönroos
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Cheng-Bin Yim
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku PET Centre, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ying Yue
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Grimm
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Rajander
- Turku PET Centre, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Anna Perols
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merja Haaparanta-Solin
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Olof Solin
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku PET Centre, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolyn J Anderson
- Departments of Medicine, Radiology, Bioengineering and Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, USA
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Garousi J, Lindbo S, Mitran B, Buijs J, Vorobyeva A, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Hober S. Comparative evaluation of tumor targeting using the anti-HER2 ADAPT scaffold protein labeled at the C-terminus with indium-111 or technetium-99m. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14780. [PMID: 29116215 PMCID: PMC5676751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15366-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
ABD-Derived Affinity Proteins (ADAPTs) is a novel class of engineered scaffold proteins derived from an albumin-binding domain of protein G. The use of ADAPT6 derivatives as targeting moiety have provided excellent preclinical radionuclide imaging of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) tumor xenografts. Previous studies have demonstrated that selection of nuclide and chelator for its conjugation has an appreciable effect on imaging properties of scaffold proteins. In this study we performed a comparative evaluation of the anti-HER2 ADAPT having an aspartate-glutamate-alanine-valine-aspartate-alanine-asparagine-serine (DEAVDANS) N-terminal sequence and labeled at C-terminus with 99mTc using a cysteine-containing peptide based chelator, glycine-serine-serine-cysteine (GSSC), and a similar variant labeled with 111In using a maleimido derivative of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) chelator. Both 99mTc-DEAVDANS-ADAPT6-GSSC and 111In-DEAVDANS-ADAPT6-GSSC-DOTA accumulated specifically in HER2-expressing SKOV3 xenografts. The tumor uptake of both variants did not differ significantly and average values were in the range of 19–21%ID/g. However, there was an appreciable variation in uptake of conjugates in normal tissues that resulted in a notable difference in the tumor-to-organ ratios. The 111In-DOTA label provided 2–6 fold higher tumor-to-organ ratios than 99mTc-GSSC and is therefore the preferable label for ADAPTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Garousi
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sarah Lindbo
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jos Buijs
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sophia Hober
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lindbo S, Garousi J, Mitran B, Altai M, Buijs J, Orlova A, Hober S, Tolmachev V. Radionuclide Tumor Targeting Using ADAPT Scaffold Proteins: Aspects of Label Positioning and Residualizing Properties of the Label. J Nucl Med 2017; 59:93-99. [PMID: 28864631 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.117.197202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visualization of cancer-associated alterations of molecular phenotype using radionuclide imaging is a noninvasive approach to stratifying patients for targeted therapies. The engineered albumin-binding domain-derived affinity protein (ADAPT) is a promising tracer for radionuclide molecular imaging because of its small size (6.5 kDa), which satisfies the precondition for efficient tumor penetration and rapid clearance. Previous studies demonstrated that the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-targeting ADAPT6 labeled with radiometals at the N terminus is able to image HER2 expression in xenografts a few hours after injection. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of a nonresidualizing label or placement of the labels at the C terminus would further improve the targeting properties of ADAPT6. Methods: Two constructs, Cys2-ADAPT6 and Cys59-ADAPT6, having the (HE)3DANS sequence at the N terminus were produced and site-specifically labeled using 111In-DOTA or 125I-iodo-((4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl) maleimide (HPEM). The conjugates were compared in vitro and in vivo. HER2-targeting properties and biodistribution were evaluated in BALB/C nu/nu mice bearing ovarian carcinoma cell (SKOV-3) xenografts. Results: Specific HER2 binding and high affinity were preserved after labeling. Both Cys2-ADAPT6 and Cys59-ADAPT6 were internalized slowly by HER2-expressing cancer cells. Depending on the label position, uptake at 4 h after injection varied from 10% to 22% of the injected dose per gram of tumor tissue. Regardless of terminus position, the 125I-HPEM label provided more than 140-fold lower renal uptake than the 111In-DOTA label at 4 after injection. The tumor-to-organ ratios were, in contrast, higher for both of the 111In-DOTA-labeled ADAPT variants in other organs. Tumor-to-blood ratios for 111In-labeled Cys2-ADAPT6 and Cys59-ADAPT6 did not differ significantly (250-280), but 111In-DOTA-Cys59-ADAPT6 provided significantly higher tumor-to-lung, tumor-to-liver, tumor-to-spleen, and tumor-to-muscle ratios. Radioiodinated variants had similar tumor-to-organ ratios, but 125I-HPEM-Cys59-ADAPT6 had significantly higher tumor uptake and a higher tumor-to-kidney ratio. Conclusion: Residualizing properties of the label strongly influence the targeting properties of ADAPT6. The position of the radiolabel influences targeting as well, although to a lesser extent. Placement of a label at the C terminus yields the best biodistribution features for both radiometal and radiohalogen labels. Low renal retention of the radioiodine label creates a precondition for radionuclide therapy using 131I-labeled HPEM-Cys59-ADAPT6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lindbo
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Javad Garousi
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Jos Buijs
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Anna Orlova
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sophia Hober
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and
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9
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Garousi J, Andersson KG, Dam JH, Olsen BB, Mitran B, Orlova A, Buijs J, Ståhl S, Löfblom J, Thisgaard H, Tolmachev V. The use of radiocobalt as a label improves imaging of EGFR using DOTA-conjugated Affibody molecule. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5961. [PMID: 28729680 PMCID: PMC5519605 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Several anti-cancer therapies target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Radionuclide imaging of EGFR expression in tumours may aid in selection of optimal cancer therapy. The 111In-labelled DOTA-conjugated ZEGFR:2377 Affibody molecule was successfully used for imaging of EGFR-expressing xenografts in mice. An optimal combination of radionuclide, chelator and targeting protein may further improve the contrast of radionuclide imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the targeting properties of radiocobalt-labelled DOTA-ZEGFR:2377. DOTA-ZEGFR:2377 was labelled with 57Co (T1/2 = 271.8 d), 55Co (T1/2 = 17.5 h), and, for comparison, with the positron-emitting radionuclide 68Ga (T1/2 = 67.6 min) with preserved specificity of binding to EGFR-expressing A431 cells. The long-lived cobalt radioisotope 57Co was used in animal studies. Both 57Co-DOTA-ZEGFR:2377 and 68Ga-DOTA-ZEGFR:2377 demonstrated EGFR-specific accumulation in A431 xenografts and EGFR-expressing tissues in mice. Tumour-to-organ ratios for the radiocobalt-labelled DOTA-ZEGFR:2377 were significantly higher than for the gallium-labelled counterpart already at 3 h after injection. Importantly, 57Co-DOTA-ZEGFR:2377 demonstrated a tumour-to-liver ratio of 3, which is 7-fold higher than the tumour-to-liver ratio for 68Ga-DOTA-ZEGFR:2377. The results of this study suggest that the positron-emitting cobalt isotope 55Co would be an optimal label for DOTA-ZEGFR:2377 and further development should concentrate on this radionuclide as a label.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ken G Andersson
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan H Dam
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Birgitte B Olsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jos Buijs
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefan Ståhl
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helge Thisgaard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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10
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Garousi J, Lindbo S, Honarvar H, Velletta J, Mitran B, Altai M, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Hober S. Influence of the N-Terminal Composition on Targeting Properties of Radiometal-Labeled Anti-HER2 Scaffold Protein ADAPT6. Bioconjug Chem 2016; 27:2678-2688. [PMID: 27740752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Radionuclide-imaging-based stratification of patients to targeted therapies makes cancer treatment more personalized and therefore more efficient. Albumin-binding domain derived affinity proteins (ADAPTs) constitute a novel group of imaging probes based on the scaffold of an albumin-binding domain (ABD). To evaluate how different compositions of the N-terminal sequence of ADAPTs influence their biodistribution, a series of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-binding ADAPT6 derivatives with different N-terminal sequences were created: GCH6DANS (2), GC(HE)3DANS (3), GCDEAVDANS (4), and GCVDANS(5). These were compared with the parental variant: GCSS(HE)3DEAVDANS (1). All variants were site-specifically conjugated with a maleimido-derivative of a DOTA chelator and labeled with 111In. Binding to HER2-expressing cells in vitro, in vivo biodistribution as well as targeting properties of the new variants were compared with properties of the 111In-labeled parental ADAPT variant 1 (111In-DOTA-1). The composition of the N-terminal sequence had an apparent influence on biodistribution of ADAPT6 in mice. The use of a hexahistidine tag in 111In-DOTA-2 was associated with elevated hepatic uptake compared to the (HE)3-containing counterpart, 111In-DOTA-3. All new variants without a hexahistidine tag demonstrated lower uptake in blood, lung, spleen, and muscle compared to uptake in the parental variant. The best new variants, 111In-DOTA-3 and 111In-DOTA-5, provided tumor uptakes of 14.6 ± 2.4 and 12.5 ± 1.3% ID/g at 4 h after injection, respectively. The tumor uptake of 111In-DOTA-3 was significantly higher than the uptake of the parental 111In-DOTA-1 (9.1 ± 2.0% ID/g). The tumor-to-blood ratios of 395 ± 75 and 419 ± 91 at 4 h after injection were obtained for 111In-DOTA-5 and 111In-DOTA-3, respectively. In conclusion, the N-terminal sequence composition affects the biodistribution and targeting properties of ADAPT-based imaging probes, and its optimization may improve imaging contrast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sarah Lindbo
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Justin Velletta
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , SE-75181 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , SE-75181 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sophia Hober
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Honarvar H, Müller C, Cohrs S, Haller S, Westerlund K, Karlström AE, van der Meulen NP, Schibli R, Tolmachev V. Evaluation of the first 44Sc-labeled Affibody molecule for imaging of HER2-expressing tumors. Nucl Med Biol 2016; 45:15-21. [PMID: 27837664 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Affibody molecules are small (58 amino acids) high-affinity proteins based on a tri-helix non-immunoglobulin scaffold. A clinical study has demonstrated that PET imaging using Affibody molecules labeled with 68Ga (T½=68min) can visualize metastases of breast cancer expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) and provide discrimination between tumors with high and low expression level. This may help to identify breast cancer patients benefiting from HER2-targeting therapies. The best discrimination was at 4h post injection. Due to longer half-life, a positron-emitting radionuclide 44Sc (T½=4.04h) might be a preferable label for Affibody molecules for imaging at several hours after injection. METHODS A synthetic second-generation anti-HER2 Affibody molecule ZHER2:2891 was labeled with 44Sc via a DOTA-chelator conjugated to the N-terminal amino group. Binding specificity, affinity and cellular processing 44Sc-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 and 68Ga-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 were compared in vitro using HER2-expressing cells. Biodistribution and imaging properties of 44Sc-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 and 68Ga-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 were evaluated in Balb/c nude mice bearing HER2-expression xenografts. RESULTS The labeling yield of 98±2% and specific activity of 7.8GBq/μmol were obtained. The conjugate demonstrated specific binding to HER2-expressing SKOV3.ip cells in vitro and to SKOV3.ip xenografts in nude mice. The distribution of radioactivity at 3h post injection was similar for 44Sc-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 and 68Ga-DOTA-ZHER2:2891, but the blood clearance of the 44Sc-labeled variant was slower and the tumor-to-blood ratio was reduced (15±2 for 44Sc-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 vs 46±9 for 68Ga-DOTA-ZHER2:2891). At 6h after injection of 44Sc-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 the tumor uptake was 8±2% IA/g and the tumor-to-blood ratio was 51±8. Imaging using small-animal PET/CT demonstrated that 44Sc-DOTA-ZHER2:2891 provides specific and high-contrast imaging of HER2-expressing xenografts. CONCLUSION The 44Sc- DOTA-ZHER2:2891 Affibody molecule is a promising probe for imaging of HER2-expression in malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadis Honarvar
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cristina Müller
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland.
| | - Susan Cohrs
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Haller
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Westerlund
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas P van der Meulen
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland; Laboratory of Radiochemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Schibli
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland; Laboratory of Radiochemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Westerlund K, Honarvar H, Norrström E, Strand J, Mitran B, Orlova A, Eriksson Karlström A, Tolmachev V. Increasing the Net Negative Charge by Replacement of DOTA Chelator with DOTAGA Improves the Biodistribution of Radiolabeled Second-Generation Synthetic Affibody Molecules. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:1668-78. [PMID: 27010700 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A promising strategy to enable patient stratification for targeted therapies is to monitor the target expression in a tumor by radionuclide molecular imaging. Affibody molecules (7 kDa) are nonimmunoglobulin scaffold proteins with a 25-fold smaller size than intact antibodies. They have shown an apparent potential as molecular imaging probes both in preclinical and clinical studies. Earlier, we found that hepatic uptake can be reduced by the incorporation of negatively charged purification tags at the N-terminus of Affibody molecules. We hypothesized that liver uptake might similarly be reduced by positioning the chelator at the N-terminus, where the chelator-radionuclide complex will provide negative charges. To test this hypothesis, a second generation synthetic anti-HER2 ZHER2:2891 Affibody molecule was synthesized and labeled with (111)In and (68)Ga using DOTAGA and DOTA chelators. The chelators were manually coupled to the N-terminus of ZHER2:2891 forming an amide bond. Labeling DOTAGA-ZHER2:2891 and DOTA-ZHER2:2891 with (68)Ga and (111)In resulted in stable radioconjugates. The tumor-targeting and biodistribution properties of the (111)In- and (68)Ga-labeled conjugates were compared in SKOV-3 tumor-bearing nude mice at 2 h postinjection. The HER2-specific binding of the radioconjugates was verified both in vitro and in vivo. Using the DOTAGA chelator gave significantly lower radioactivity in liver and blood for both radionuclides. The (111)In-labeled conjugates showed more rapid blood clearance than the (68)Ga-labeled conjugates. The most pronounced influence of the chelators was found when they were labeled with (68)Ga. The DOTAGA chelator gave significantly higher tumor-to-blood (61 ± 6 vs 23 ± 5, p < 0.05) and tumor-to-liver (10.4 ± 0.6 vs 4.5 ± 0.5, p < 0.05) ratios than the DOTA chelator. This study demonstrated that chelators may be used to alter the uptake of Affibody molecules, and most likely other scaffold-based imaging probes, for improvement of imaging contrast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Westerlund
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center , 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emily Norrström
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center , 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joanna Strand
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center , 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
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Freise AC, Wu AM. In vivo imaging with antibodies and engineered fragments. Mol Immunol 2015; 67:142-52. [PMID: 25934435 PMCID: PMC4529772 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies have clearly demonstrated their utility as therapeutics, providing highly selective and effective drugs to treat diseases in oncology, hematology, cardiology, immunology and autoimmunity, and infectious diseases. More recently, a pressing need for equally specific and targeted imaging agents for assessing disease in vivo, in preclinical models and patients, has emerged. This review summarizes strategies for developing and optimizing antibodies as targeted probes for use in non-invasive imaging using radioactive, optical, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound approaches. Recent advances in engineered antibody fragments and scaffolds, conjugation and labeling methods, and multimodality probes are highlighted. Importantly, antibody-based imaging probes are seeing new applications in detection and quantitation of cell surface biomarkers, imaging specific responses to targeted therapies, and monitoring immune responses in oncology and other diseases. Antibody-based imaging will provide essential tools to facilitate the transition to truly precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Freise
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, USA
| | - Anna M Wu
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, USA.
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