1
|
Liu Q, Cai S, Ye J, Xie Q, Liu R, Qiu L, Lin J. Preclinical evaluation of 68 Ga-labeled peptide CK2 for PET imaging of NRP-1 expression in vivo. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:1826-1840. [PMID: 38319321 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06632-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a multifunctional protein involved in a variety of biological processes such as angiogenesis, tumorigenesis and immunomodulation. It was usually overexpressed in many cancer cell lines and correlated with poor prognosis of breast cancer. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an advanced imaging technique for detecting the function and metabolism of tumor-associated molecules in real time, dynamically, quantitatively and noninvasively. To improve the level of early diagnosis and evaluate the prognosis of breast cancer, an NRP-1 targeting peptide-based tracer [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 was designed to sensitively and specifically detect the NRP-1 expression in vivo via PET imaging. METHODS In silico modeling and microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay were carried out to design the NRP-1 targeting peptide NOTA-PEG4-CK2, and it was further radiolabeled with 68 Ga to prepare the tracer [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2. The radiochemical yield (RCY), radiochemical purity (RCP), molar activity (Am), lipid-water partition coefficient (Log P) and stability of [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 were assessed. The targeting specificity of the tracer for NRP-1 was investigated by in vitro cellular uptake assay and in vivo PET imaging as well as blocking studies. The sensitivity of the tracer in monitoring the dynamic changes of NRP-1 expression induced by chemical drug was also investigated in vitro and in vivo. Ex vivo biodistribution, autoradiography, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were also performed to study the specificity of [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 for NRP-1. RESULTS [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 was designed and synthesized with high RCY (> 98%), high stability (RCP > 95%) and high affinity to NRP-1 (KD = 25.39 ± 1.65 nM). In vitro cellular uptake assay showed that the tracer [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 can specifically bind to NRP-1 positive cancer cells MDA-MB-231 (1.04 ± 0.04% at 2 h) rather than NRP-1 negative cancer cells NCI-H1299 (0.43 ± 0.05%). In vivo PET imaging showed the maximum tumor uptake of [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 in MDA-MB-231 xenografts (4.16 ± 0.67%ID/mL) was significantly higher than that in NCI-H1299 xenografts (1.03 ± 0.19%ID/mL) at 10 min post injection, and the former exhibited higher tumor-to-muscle uptake ratio (5.22 ± 0.18) than the latter (1.07 ± 0.27) at 60 min post injection. MDA-MB-231 xenografts pretreated with nonradioactive precursor NOTA-PEG4-CK2 showed little tumor uptake of [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 (1.67 ± 0.38%ID/mL at 10 min post injection). Both cellular uptake assay and PET imaging revealed that NRP-1 expression in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 could be effectively suppressed by SB-203580 treatment and can be sensitively detected by [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2. Ex vivo analysis also proved the high specificity and sensitivity of [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 for NRP-1 expression in MDA-MB-231 xenografts. CONCLUSION A promising NRP-1 targeting PET tracer [68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-PEG4-CK2 was successfully prepared. It showed remarkable specificity and sensitivity in monitoring the dynamic changes of NRP-1 expression. Hence, it could provide valuable information for early diagnosis of NRP-1 relevant cancers and evaluating the prognosis of cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhu Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, 214063, China
| | - Shuyue Cai
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, 214063, China
| | - Jiacong Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Quan Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, 214063, China
| | - Rongbin Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Ling Qiu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, 214063, China.
| | - Jianguo Lin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, 214063, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang Q, Yang Z, Zhang J, Li Y, Dang X, Qu J, Pan X, Zhang J. Transmembrane modification of tumor vascular targeting peptide A7R as molecular cargo delivery tool. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107240. [PMID: 38412651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107240] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, targeting tumor angiogenesis has emerged as a prominent research focus in the treatment and prevention of tumor expansion. A7R (ATWLPPR) exhibits high affinity and specificity for VEGFR-2, which is overexpressed in various tumors. To enhance the tumor tissue and cell penetration capabilities of A7R, we substituted its non-critical amino acid with Arginine (R) and Glutamic acid (E), cyclized the mutant peptide, and linked it to the membrane permeation sequence using coordination principles. We designed and synthesized fifteen novel penetrating peptides that target tumor blood vessels and cells, followed by conducting various biological evaluations and cell imaging experiments. The results demonstrated that Cyclo-A7R-RRR and A7R-RLLRLLR exhibited excellent permeability towards tumor cells, with Cyclo-A7R-RRR showing superior serum stability compared to A7R. Furthermore, the modified peptides showed no toxicity towards HeLa cells, U251 cells, HuH-7 cells, and HEK293 cells under 10 μmol/L. Utilizing Cyclo-A7R-RRR or A7R-RLLRLLR for transmembrane delivery of drug molecules could significantly improve their efficacy. Our findings broaden the potential application scenarios of A7R in targeted tumor angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zeyu Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yanchen Li
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xintao Dang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jingkun Qu
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 West Fifth Street, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiaoyan Pan
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lepareur N, Ramée B, Mougin-Degraef M, Bourgeois M. Clinical Advances and Perspectives in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1733. [PMID: 37376181 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted radionuclide therapy has become increasingly prominent as a nuclear medicine subspecialty. For many decades, treatment with radionuclides has been mainly restricted to the use of iodine-131 in thyroid disorders. Currently, radiopharmaceuticals, consisting of a radionuclide coupled to a vector that binds to a desired biological target with high specificity, are being developed. The objective is to be as selective as possible at the tumor level, while limiting the dose received at the healthy tissue level. In recent years, a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of cancer, as well as the appearance of innovative targeting agents (antibodies, peptides, and small molecules) and the availability of new radioisotopes, have enabled considerable advances in the field of vectorized internal radiotherapy with a better therapeutic efficacy, radiation safety and personalized treatments. For instance, targeting the tumor microenvironment, instead of the cancer cells, now appears particularly attractive. Several radiopharmaceuticals for therapeutic targeting have shown clinical value in several types of tumors and have been or will soon be approved and authorized for clinical use. Following their clinical and commercial success, research in that domain is particularly growing, with the clinical pipeline appearing as a promising target. This review aims to provide an overview of current research on targeting radionuclide therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Lepareur
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Eugène Marquis, 35000 Rennes, France
- Inserm, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Métabolismes et Cancer)-UMR 1317, Univ Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Barthélémy Ramée
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Nantes University Hospital, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Marie Mougin-Degraef
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Nantes University Hospital, 44000 Nantes, France
- Inserm, CNRS, CRCI2NA (Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Intégrée Nantes-Angers)-UMR 1307, Université de Nantes, ERL 6001, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Mickaël Bourgeois
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Nantes University Hospital, 44000 Nantes, France
- Inserm, CNRS, CRCI2NA (Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Intégrée Nantes-Angers)-UMR 1307, Université de Nantes, ERL 6001, 44000 Nantes, France
- Groupement d'Intérêt Public ARRONAX, 1 Rue Aronnax, 44817 Saint Herblain, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Scandium-44 Radiolabeled Peptide and Peptidomimetic Conjugates Targeting Neuropilin-1 Co-Receptor as Potential Tools for Cancer Diagnosis and Anti-Angiogenic Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020564. [PMID: 36831099 PMCID: PMC9953004 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020564] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathological angiogenesis, resulting from an imbalance between anti- and pro-angiogenic factors, plays a pivotal role in tumor growth, development and metastasis. The inhibition of the angiogenesis process by the VEGF/VEGFR-2/NRP-1 pathway raises interest in the search for such interaction inhibitors for the purpose of the early diagnosis and treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases. In this work we designed and tested peptide-based radiocompounds that selectively bind to the neuropilin-1 co-receptor and prevent the formation of the pro-angiogenic VEGF-A165/NRP-1 complex. Three biomolecules, A7R and retro-inverso DR7A peptides, and the branched peptidomimetic Lys(hArg)-Dab-Pro-Arg (K4R), conjugated with macrocyclic chelator through two linkers' types, were labeled with theranostic scandium-44 radionuclide, and studied in vitro as potential targeted radiopharmaceuticals. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) studies showed no negative effect of the introduced biomolecules' changes and high NRP-1 affinity in the case of A7R- and K4R-radiocompounds and a lack affinity for DR7A-radiocompounds. All radiopeptides showed a hydrophilic nature as well as high stability against ligand exchange reactions in cysteine/histidine solutions. Unfortunately, all radiocompounds showed unsatisfactory nano-scale stability in human serum, especially for use as therapeutic radioagents. Further work is ongoing and focused on the search for angiogenesis inhibitors that are more human serum stable.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang Q, Zhang J. Current status and progress in using radiolabelled PARP-1 inhibitors for imaging PARP-1 expression in tumours. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 242:114690. [PMID: 36041258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a key enzyme in the DNA repair process, and the overexpression of PARP-1 in several tumours makes this enzyme a promising molecular target. Recently, several PARP-1 inhibitors, such as olaparib, rucaparib, niraparib and talazoparib, have been clinically approved as anticancer drugs. Several of these inhibitors have been radiolabelled for noninvasive imaging of PARP-1 expression in several types of tumours. In this review, the background and progress for using various radiolabelled PARP-1 inhibitors for cancer diagnosis are discussed and future development directions are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianna Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, PR China
| | - Junbo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals (National Medical Products Administration), College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Su H, Zhao L, Yu B, Zeng H, Yang J, Zhu M, Zhao J. Preparation and bioevaluation of [ 99mTc]Tc-labeled A7R and DA7R for SPECT imaging of triple-negative breast cancer. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj04136g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
[99mTc]Tc-labeled D-type A7R peptide showed better tumor-to-muscle ratios and lower renal uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Su
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P. R. China
| | - Lingzhou Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P. R. China
| | - Buhui Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P. R. China
| | - Huahui Zeng
- Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Jiqin Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, P. R. China
| | - Meilin Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, P. R. China
| | - Jinhua Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|