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Vettorato E, Verona M, Bellio G, Croci S, Filadi R, Bisio A, Spessot E, Andrighetto A, Maniglio D, Asti M, Marzaro G, Mastrotto F. Development and Validation of Novel Z-360-Based Macromolecules for the Active Targeting of CCK2-R. Mol Pharm 2024. [PMID: 38959127 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The cholecystokinin type 2 receptor (CCK2-R) represents an ideal target for cancer therapy since it is overexpressed in several tumors and is associated with poor prognosis. Nastorazepide (Z-360), a selective CCK2-R antagonist, has been widely investigated as a CCK2-R ligand for targeted therapy; however, its high hydrophobicity may represent a limit to cell selectivity and optimal in vivo biodistribution. Here, we present three new fluorescent Z-360 derivatives (IP-002G-Rho, IP-002L-Rho, and IP-002M-Rho) in which nastorazepide was linked, through spacers bearing different saccharides (glucose (G), lactose (L), and maltotriose (M)), to sulforhodamine B. A fourth compound (IP-002H-Rho) with no pendant sugar was also synthesized as a control. Through two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) in vitro studies, we evaluated the compound association with and selectivity for CCK2-R-overexpressing cells (A431-CCK2-R+) vs CCK2-R-underexpressing cells (A431 WT). 2D in vitro studies highlighted a progressive increase of IP-002x-Rho association with A431-CCK2-R+ cells according to the linker hydrophilicity, that is, maltotriose > lactose > glucose > hydrogen, with IP-002M-Rho showing a 2.4- and a 1.36-fold higher uptake than IP-002G-Rho and IP-002L-Rho, respectively. Unexpectedly, IP-002H-Rho showed a similar cell association to that of IP-002L-Rho but with no difference between the two tested cell lines. On the contrary, association with A431-CCK2-R+ cells as compared to the A431 WT was found to be 1.08-, 1.14-, and 1.37-fold higher for IP-002G-Rho, IP-002L-Rho, and IP-002M-Rho, respectively, proving IP-002M-Rho to be the best-performing compound, as also confirmed by competition studies. Trafficking studies on A431-CCK2-R+ cells incubated with IP-002M-Rho suggested the coexistence of receptor-mediated endocytosis and simple diffusion. On the contrary, a high and selective uptake of IP-002M-Rho by A431-CCK2-R+ cells only was observed on 3D scaffolds embedded with cells, underlining the importance of 3D models in in vitro preliminary evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Vettorato
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - Marco Verona
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Greta Bellio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy, and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, via Amendola 2, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Filadi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisio
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Eugenia Spessot
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research Center, University of Trento, via Delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alberto Andrighetto
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - Devid Maniglio
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research Center, University of Trento, via Delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Mattia Asti
- Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry Section, Nuclear Medicine Unit, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Mastrotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Aloj L, Mansi R, De Luca S, Accardo A, Tesauro D, Morelli G. Radiolabeled peptides and their expanding role in clinical imaging and targeted cancer therapy. J Pept Sci 2024:e3607. [PMID: 38710638 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3607] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
There is an expanding body of evidence showing that synthetic peptides in combination with radioactive isotopes can be utilized for medical purposes. This area is of particular interest in oncology where applications in diagnosis and therapy are at different stages of development. We review the contributions in this area by the group originally founded by Carlo Pedone in Naples many years ago. We highlight the work of this group in the context of other developments in this area, focusing on three biologically relevant receptor systems: somatostatin, gastrin-releasing peptide, and cholecystokinin-2/gastrin receptors. We focus on key milestones, state of the art, and challenges in this area of research as well as the current and future outlook for expanding clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Aloj
- Department of Radiology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosalba Mansi
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefania De Luca
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy and CIRPeB, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides "Carlo Pedone", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Diego Tesauro
- Department of Pharmacy and CIRPeB, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides "Carlo Pedone", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy and CIRPeB, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides "Carlo Pedone", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Nock BA, Kanellopoulos P, Joosten L, Mansi R, Maina T. Peptide Radioligands in Cancer Theranostics: Agonists and Antagonists. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050674. [PMID: 37242457 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050674] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical success of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in the diagnosis and therapy-"theranostics"-of tumors expressing the somatostatin subtype 2 receptor (SST2R) has paved the way for the development of a broader panel of peptide radioligands targeting different human tumors. This approach relies on the overexpression of other receptor-targets in different cancer types. In recent years, a shift in paradigm from internalizing agonists to antagonists has occurred. Thus, SST2R-antagonist radioligands were first shown to accumulate more efficiently in tumor lesions and clear faster from the background in animal models and patients. The switch to receptor antagonists was soon adopted in the field of radiolabeled bombesin (BBN). Unlike the stable cyclic octapeptides used in the case of somatostatin, BBN-like peptides are linear, fast to biodegradable and elicit adverse effects in the body. Thus, the advent of BBN-like antagonists provided an elegant way to obtain effective and safe radiotheranostics. Likewise, the pursuit of gastrin and exendin antagonist-based radioligands is advancing with exciting new outcomes on the horizon. In the present review, we discuss these developments with a focus on clinical results, commenting on challenges and opportunities for personalized treatment of cancer patients by means of state-of-the-art antagonist-based radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berthold A Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15310 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Lieke Joosten
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalba Mansi
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15310 Athens, Greece
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Boschi A, Martini P. Metal-Based Radiopharmaceuticals in Inorganic Chemistry. Molecules 2023; 28:2290. [PMID: 36903534 PMCID: PMC10005725 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of radiopharmaceuticals is constantly evolving thanks to the great contribution of specialists coming from different disciplines such as inorganic chemistry, radiochemistry, organic and biochemistry, pharmacology, nuclear medicine, physics, etc [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Boschi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Petra Martini
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Nock BA, Kanellopoulos P, Chepurny OG, Rouchota M, Loudos G, Holz GG, Krenning EP, Maina T. Nonpeptidic Z360-Analogs Tagged with Trivalent Radiometals as Anti-CCK2R Cancer Theranostic Agents: A Preclinical Study. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030666. [PMID: 35336041 PMCID: PMC8954547 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Theranostic approaches in the management of cholecystokinin subtype 2 receptor (CCK2R)-positive tumors include radiolabeled gastrin and CCK motifs. Moving toward antagonist-based CCK2R-radioligands instead, we herein present three analogs of the nonpeptidic CCK2R-antagonist Z360, GAS1/2/3. Each was conjugated to a different chelator (DOTA, NODAGA or DOTAGA) for labeling with medically relevant trivalent radiometals (e.g., Ga-68, In-111, Lu-177) for potential use as anti-CCK2R cancer agents; (2) Methods: The in vitro properties of the thee analogs were compared in stably transfected HEK293-CCK2R cells. Biodistribution profiles were compared in SCID mice bearing twin HEK293-CCK2R and wtHEK293 tumors; (3) Results: The GAS1/2/3 analogs displayed high CCK2R-affinity (lower nM-range). The radioligands were fairly stable in vivo and selectively targeted the HEK293-CCK2R, but not the CCK2R-negative wtHEK293 tumors in mice. Their overall pharmacokinetic profile was found strongly dependent on the radiometal-chelate. Results could be visualized by SPECT/CT for the [111In]In-analogs; (4) Conclusions: The present study highlighted the high impact of the radiometal-chelate on the end-pharmacokinetics of a new series of Z360-based radioligands, revealing candidates with promising properties for clinical translation. It also provided the impetus for the development of a new class of nonpeptidic radioligands for CCK2R-targeted theranostics of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berthold A. Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRASTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, 15341 Athens, Greece; (B.A.N.); (P.K.)
| | | | - Oleg G. Chepurny
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, State University of New York (SUNY), Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (O.G.C.); (G.G.H.)
| | - Maritina Rouchota
- BIOEMTECH, Lefkippos Attica Technology Park NCSR “Demokritos”, 15310 Athens, Greece; (M.R.); (G.L.)
| | - George Loudos
- BIOEMTECH, Lefkippos Attica Technology Park NCSR “Demokritos”, 15310 Athens, Greece; (M.R.); (G.L.)
| | - George G. Holz
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, State University of New York (SUNY), Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (O.G.C.); (G.G.H.)
| | - Eric P. Krenning
- Cyclotron Rotterdam BV, Erasmus MC, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRASTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, 15341 Athens, Greece; (B.A.N.); (P.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-650-3908 or +30-210-650-3891
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Maina T, Nock BA. Gamma camera imaging by radiolabeled gastrin/cholecystokinin analogs. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00183-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Update on Preclinical Development and Clinical Translation of Cholecystokinin-2 Receptor Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225776. [PMID: 34830930 PMCID: PMC8616406 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225776] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Peptide analogs, derived from the natural peptide hormone gastrin, are promising candidates for improving the visualization and treatment of tumors. Gastrin specifically binds to the cholecystokinin-2 receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor expressed on the cell surface of different tumors. This enables specific targeting of tumor cells using gastrin analogs, labeled with radioisotopes. The receptor is expressed at high incidence in medullary thyroid carcinoma, a rare form of thyroid cancer lacking effective treatments at an advanced stage. Different radiolabeled gastrin analogs as well as nonpeptidic compounds targeting CCK2R have been developed. Specific modifications have been introduced in order to safely deliver the radiation to the tumor site. In this review, recent strategies applied to improve the targeting properties are described. These developments enabled the introduction of new radiolabeled peptide analogs for imaging and therapy in cancer patients. In addition to highlighting the current clinical trials, the perspectives for future applications are given. Abstract The cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R) has been a target of interest for molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for two decades. However, so far CCK2R targeted imaging and therapy has not been introduced in clinical practice. Within this review the recent radiopharmaceutical development of CCK2R targeting compounds and the ongoing clinical trials are presented. Currently, new gastrin derivatives as well as nonpeptidic substances are being developed to improve the properties for clinical use. A team of specialists from the field of radiopharmacy and nuclear medicine reviewed the available literature and summarized their own experiences in the development and clinical testing of CCK2R targeting radiopharmaceuticals. The recent clinical trials with novel radiolabeled minigastrin analogs demonstrate the potential for both applications, imaging as well as targeted radiotherapy, and reinforce the clinical applicability within a theranostic concept. The intense efforts in optimizing CCK2R targeting radiopharmaceuticals has led to new substances for clinical use, as shown in first imaging studies in patients with advanced medullary thyroid cancer. The first clinical results suggest that the wider clinical implication of CCK2R-targeted radiopharmaceuticals is reasonable.
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Benzodiazepines: Drugs with Chemical Skeletons Suitable for the Preparation of Metallacycles with Potential Pharmacological Activity. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26092796. [PMID: 34068533 PMCID: PMC8125983 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of organometallic compounds with potential pharmacological activity has attracted the attention of many research groups, aiming to take advantage of aspects that the presence of the metal-carbon bond can bring to the design of new pharmaceutical drugs. In this context, we have gathered studies reported in the literature in which psychoactive benzodiazepine drugs were used as ligands in the preparation of organometallic and metal complexes and provide details on some of their biological effects. We also highlight that most commonly known benzodiazepine-based drugs display molecular features that allow the preparation of metallacycles via C-H activation. These organometallic compounds merit further attention regarding their potential biological effects, not only in terms of psychoactive drugs but also in the search for drug replacements, for example, for cancer treatments.
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