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Abouzayed A, Zedan W, Altai M, Strand J, Örbom A. Co-injection of anti-HER2 antibody Trastuzumab does not increase efficacy of [ 177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy in an animal model of prostate cancer. Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 13:107-117. [PMID: 37457328 PMCID: PMC10349288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
One novel option for treating metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer is radionuclide therapy targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), e.g. [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Overexpression of HER2 has been found in 80% of metastatic cases of prostate cancer. Previous research showed that HER2 is elevated post irradiation in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Co-treating with anti-HER2 antibody Trastuzumab gave less proliferation of irradiated tumor cells in vitro, and when using radionuclide therapy, also in vivo. The aim of this study is to determine whether the same holds true in PSMA-expressing PC-3 PIP cells using [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 radionuclide therapy. PC-3 PIP and 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells were tested in vitro, treated with 6 Gy of x-rays with or without Trastuzumab incubation. We measured uptake of HER2-targeting affibody [68Ga]Ga-ABY-025 and cell survival, e.g. using the WST-1 assay. Three groups (n=10 each) of male nude Balb/c mice were inoculated with PC-3 PIP xenograft tumors and treated with just [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (20 MBq), [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (20 MBq) and Trastuzumab (4 × 5 mg/kg), or left untreated. Tumor sizes and animal survival was observed. In vitro, x-ray irradiation did reduce survival in 22Rv1 but not PC-3 PIP cells, and there was no significant effect of Trastuzumab treatment. Cells expressed HER2 but not significantly elevated post irradiation. In vivo, mice co-treated with Trastuzumab had significantly longer survival than untreated mice, but not than only [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Staining of tumor sections showed similar HER2 and PSMA expression across groups. In conclusion, these results give no support for any benefit from co-treatment with anti-HER2 antibody for PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Abouzayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
| | - Wahed Zedan
- Department of Oncology, Lund UniversityLund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Anders Örbom
- Department of Oncology, Lund UniversityLund, Sweden
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2
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Storey CM, Altai M, Bicak M, Veach DR, Lückerath K, Adrian G, McDevitt MR, Kalidindi T, Park JE, Herrmann K, Abou D, Zedan W, Peekhaus N, Klein RJ, Damoiseaux R, Larson SM, Lilja H, Thorek D, Ulmert D. Quantitative In Vivo Imaging of the Androgen Receptor Axis Reveals Degree of Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy Response. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:307-315. [PMID: 36608299 PMCID: PMC10355285 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive biomarkers for androgen receptor (AR) pathway activation are urgently needed to better monitor patient response to prostate cancer therapies. AR is a critical driver and mediator of resistance of prostate cancer but currently available noninvasive prostate cancer biomarkers to monitor AR activity are discordant with downstream AR pathway activity. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) remains a common treatment for all stages of prostate cancer, and DNA damage induced by EBRT upregulates AR pathway activity to promote therapeutic resistance. [89Zr]11B6-PET is a novel modality targeting prostate-specific protein human kallikrein 2 (hK2), which is a surrogate biomarker for AR activity. Here, we studied whether [89Zr]11B6-PET can accurately assess EBRT-induced AR activity.Genetic and human prostate cancer mouse models received EBRT (2-50 Gy) and treatment response was monitored by [89Zr]11B6-PET/CT. Radiotracer uptake and expression of AR and AR target genes was quantified in resected tissue.EBRT increased AR pathway activity and [89Zr]11B6 uptake in LNCaP-AR and 22RV1 tumors. EBRT increased prostate-specific [89Zr]11B6 uptake in prostate cancer-bearing mice (Hi-Myc x Pb_KLK2) with no significant changes in uptake in healthy (Pb_KLK2) mice, and this correlated with hK2 protein levels. IMPLICATIONS hK2 expression in prostate cancer tissue is a proxy of EBRT-induced AR activity that can noninvasively be detected using [89Zr]11B6-PET; further clinical evaluation of hK2-PET for monitoring response and development of resistance to EBRT in real time is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Storey
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, USA
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mesude Bicak
- Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Darren R Veach
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, USA
| | - Katharina Lückerath
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, DKTK, Essen, Germany
| | - Gabriel Adrian
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michael R McDevitt
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, USA
| | - Teja Kalidindi
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, USA
| | - Julie E Park
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, DKTK, Essen, Germany
| | - Diane Abou
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
| | - Wahed Zedan
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Norbert Peekhaus
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Robert J Klein
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Steven M Larson
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA
| | - Hans Lilja
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, MSKCC, New York, USA
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, MSKCC, New York, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, MSKCC, New York, USA
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Daniel Thorek
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
| | - David Ulmert
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, USA
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urologic Oncology, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
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3
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Kristiansson A, Vilhelmsson Timmermand O, Altai M, Strand J, Strand SE, Åkerström B, Örbom A. Hematological Toxicity in Mice after High Activity Injections of 177Lu-PSMA-617. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040731. [PMID: 35456565 PMCID: PMC9032768 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies affecting men, with poor prognosis after progression to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Radioligand therapy (RLT) targeting the overexpressed PSMA on PC cells, with, e.g., 177Lu-PSMA-617, has been effective in reducing tumor burden and prolonging survival in mCRPC. However, it is not a curative method with kidney and bone marrow toxicity limiting the activity given to patients. Previous preclinical models have reported transient hematotoxicity for up to 120 MBq. This activity may still be too low to investigate the effect on renal function since it corresponds to an absorbed dose below 10 Gy, whereas the kidneys in a clinical setting usually receive an absorbed dose more than double. Here we investigated the hematotoxicity and recovery after administered activities of 120, 160, and 200 MBq in a 177Lu-PSMA-617 BALB/cAnNRj mouse model. The animals had an initial drop in white blood cells (WBC) starting 4 days post injection, which recovered after 21 days. The effect on red blood cells (RBC) and platelets was detected later; 17 days post-injection levels decreased compared to the control group. The reduction was restored again 32 days post injection. No correlation between injected activity and hematotoxicity was found. Our results suggest that activities up to 200 MBq of 177Lu-PSMA-617 give transient hematotoxicity from which animals recover within a month and no radiation-related deaths. Injecting these high activities could allow animal studies with increased clinical relevance when studying renal toxicity in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Kristiansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 222 42 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (M.A.); (J.S.); (S.-E.S.); (A.Ö.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Oskar Vilhelmsson Timmermand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 222 42 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (M.A.); (J.S.); (S.-E.S.); (A.Ö.)
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 222 42 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (M.A.); (J.S.); (S.-E.S.); (A.Ö.)
| | - Joanna Strand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 222 42 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (M.A.); (J.S.); (S.-E.S.); (A.Ö.)
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, 222 43 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sven-Erik Strand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 222 42 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (M.A.); (J.S.); (S.-E.S.); (A.Ö.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Åkerström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Section for Infection Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Anders Örbom
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 222 42 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (M.A.); (J.S.); (S.-E.S.); (A.Ö.)
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Yin W, Xu T, Altai M, Oroujeni M, Zhang J, Vorobyeva A, Vorontsova O, Vtorushin SV, Tolmachev V, Gräslund T, Orlova A. The Influence of Domain Permutations of an Albumin-Binding Domain-Fused HER2-Targeting Affibody-Based Drug Conjugate on Tumor Cell Proliferation and Therapy Efficacy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1974. [PMID: 34834389 PMCID: PMC8617914 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a clinically validated target for breast cancer therapy. Previously, a drug-fused HER2-targeting affinity protein construct successfully extended the survival of mice bearing HER2-expressing xenografts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the number and positioning of the protein domains in the drug conjugate. Seven HER2-targeting affibody-based constructs, including one or two affibody molecules (Z) with or without an albumin-binding domain (ABD), namely Z, Z-ABD, ABD-Z, Z-Z, Z-Z-ABD, Z-ABD-Z, and ABD-Z-Z, were evaluated on their effects on cell growth, in vivo targeting, and biodistribution. The biodistribution study demonstrated that the monomeric constructs had longer blood retention and lower hepatic uptake than the dimeric ones. A dimeric construct, specifically ABD-Z-Z, could stimulate the proliferation of HER2 expressing SKOV-3 cells in vitro and the growth of tumors in vivo, whereas the monomeric construct Z-ABD could not. These two constructs demonstrated a therapeutic effect when coupled to mcDM1; however, the effect was more pronounced for the non-stimulating Z-ABD. The median survival of the mice treated with Z-ABD-mcDM1 was 63 days compared to the 37 days for those treated with ABD-Z-Z-mcDM1 or for the control animals. Domain permutation of an ABD-fused HER2-targeting affibody-based drug conjugate significantly influences tumor cell proliferation and therapy efficacy. The monomeric conjugate Z-ABD is the most promising format for targeted delivery of the cytotoxic drug DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yin
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden; (W.Y.); (J.Z.)
| | - Tianqi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (M.O.); (A.V.); (O.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (M.O.); (A.V.); (O.V.); (V.T.)
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maryam Oroujeni
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (M.O.); (A.V.); (O.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden; (W.Y.); (J.Z.)
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (M.O.); (A.V.); (O.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Olga Vorontsova
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (M.O.); (A.V.); (O.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Sergey V. Vtorushin
- Pathology Department, Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
- General and Molecular Pathology Department, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (M.O.); (A.V.); (O.V.); (V.T.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Torbjörn Gräslund
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden; (W.Y.); (J.Z.)
| | - Anna Orlova
- Pathology Department, Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
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5
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Vilhelmsson Timmermand O, Örbom A, Altai M, Zedan W, Holmqvist B, Safi M, Tran TA, Strand SE, Strand J. A Conjugation Strategy to Modulate Antigen Binding and FcRn Interaction Leads to Improved Tumor Targeting and Radioimmunotherapy Efficacy with an Antibody Targeting Prostate-Specific Antigen. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143469. [PMID: 34298682 PMCID: PMC8307315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) hu5A10 specifically targets and internalizes prostate cancer cells by binding to prostate specific antigen (PSA). Preclinical evaluations have shown that hu5A10 is an excellent vehicle for prostate cancer (PCa) radiotheranostics. We studied the impact of different chelates and conjugation ratios on hu5A10's target affinity, neonatal fc-receptor interaction on in vivo targeting efficacy, and possible enhanced therapeutic efficacy. METHODS In our experiment, humanized 5A10 (hu5A10) was conjugated with DOTA or DTPA at a molar ratio of 3:1, 6:1, and 12:1. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to study antigen and FcRn binding to the antibody conjugates. [111In]hu5A10 radio-immunoconjugates were administered intravenously into BALB/c mice carrying subcutaneous LNCaP xenografts. Serial Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were obtained during the first week. Tumors were harvested and radionuclide distribution was analyzed by autoradiography along with microanatomy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS As seen by SPR, the binding to PSA was clearly affected by the chelate-to-antibody ratio. Similarly, FcRn (neonatal fc-receptor) interacted less with antibodies conjugated at high ratios of chelator, which was more pronounced for DOTA conjugates. The autoradiography data indicated a higher distribution of radioactivity to the rim of the tumor for lower ratios and a more homogenous distribution at higher ratios. Mice injected with ratio 3:1 111In-DOTA-hu5A10 showed no significant difference in tumor volume when compared to mice given vehicle over a time period of 3 weeks. Mice given a similar injection of ratio 6:1 111In-DOTA-hu5A10 or 6:1 111In-DTPA-hu5A10 or 12:1 111In-DTPA-hu5A10 showed significant tumor growth retardation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the radiolabeling strategy could positively modify the hu5A10's capacity to bind PSA and complex with the FcRn-receptor, which resulted in more homogenous activity distribution in tumors and enhanced therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Vilhelmsson Timmermand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
| | - Anders Örbom
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
| | - Wahed Zedan
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
| | - Bo Holmqvist
- ImaGene-iT AB, Medicon Village, 22363 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Marcella Safi
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
| | - Thuy A. Tran
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Sven-Erik Strand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden
| | - Joanna Strand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, 22243 Lund, Sweden; (O.V.T.); (A.Ö.); (M.A.); (W.Z.); (M.S.); (S.-E.S.)
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Skane University Hospital, 22243 Lund, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-736839033
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Veach DR, Storey CM, Lückerath K, Braun K, von Bodman C, Lamminmäki U, Kalidindi T, Strand SE, Strand J, Altai M, Damoiseaux R, Zanzonico P, Benabdallah N, Pankov D, Scher HI, Scardino P, Larson SM, Lilja H, McDevitt MR, Thorek DLJ, Ulmert D. PSA-Targeted Alpha-, Beta-, and Positron-Emitting Immunotheranostics in Murine Prostate Cancer Models and Nonhuman Primates. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2050-2060. [PMID: 33441295 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Most patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors develop therapeutic resistance due to restoration of AR functionality. Thus, there is a critical need for novel treatment approaches. Here we investigate the theranostic potential of hu5A10, a humanized mAb specifically targeting free PSA (KLK3). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN LNCaP-AR (LNCaP with overexpression of wildtype AR) xenografts (NSG mice) and KLK3_Hi-Myc transgenic mice were imaged with 89Zr- or treated with 90Y- or 225Ac-labeled hu5A10; biodistribution and subcellular localization were analyzed by gamma counting, PET, autoradiography, and microscopy. Therapeutic efficacy of [225Ac]hu5A10 and [90Y]hu5A10 in LNCaP-AR tumors was assessed by tumor volume measurements, time to nadir (TTN), time to progression (TTP), and survival. Pharmacokinetics of [89Zr]hu5A10 in nonhuman primates (NHP) were determined using PET. RESULTS Biodistribution of radiolabeled hu5A10 constructs was comparable in different mouse models. Specific tumor uptake increased over time and correlated with PSA expression. Treatment with [90Y]/[225Ac]hu5A10 effectively reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival (P ≤ 0.0054). Effects of [90Y]hu5A10 were more immediate than [225Ac]hu5A10 (TTN, P < 0.0001) but less sustained (TTP, P < 0.0001). Complete responses were observed in 7 of 18 [225Ac]hu5A10 and 1 of 9 mice [90Y]hu5A10. Pharmacokinetics of [89Zr]hu5A10 were consistent between NHPs and comparable with those in mice. [89Zr]hu5A10-PET visualized the NHP-prostate over the 2-week observation period. CONCLUSIONS We present a complete preclinical evaluation of radiolabeled hu5A10 in mouse prostate cancer models and NHPs, and establish hu5A10 as a new theranostic agent that allows highly specific and effective downstream targeting of AR in PSA-expressing tissue. Our data support the clinical translation of radiolabeled hu5A10 for treating prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren R Veach
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Claire M Storey
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Katharina Lückerath
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Institute of Urologic Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Katharina Braun
- Department of Urology, Marien Hospital Herne, Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
| | | | - Urpo Lamminmäki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Teja Kalidindi
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sven-Erik Strand
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joanna Strand
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pat Zanzonico
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nadia Benabdallah
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Dmitry Pankov
- Immunology Program, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Howard I Scher
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Peter Scardino
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.,Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Steven M Larson
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Hans Lilja
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Michael R McDevitt
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Daniel L J Thorek
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David Ulmert
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. .,Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Institute of Urologic Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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7
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Garousi J, von Witting E, Borin J, Vorobyeva A, Altai M, Vorontsova O, Konijnenberg MW, Oroujeni M, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Hober S. Radionuclide therapy using ABD-fused ADAPT scaffold protein: Proof of Principle. Biomaterials 2020; 266:120381. [PMID: 33120197 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Molecular recognition in targeted therapeutics is typically based on immunoglobulins. Development of engineered scaffold proteins (ESPs) has provided additional opportunities for the development of targeted therapies. ESPs offer inexpensive production in prokaryotic hosts, high stability and convenient approaches to modify their biodistribution. In this study, we demonstrated successful modification of the biodistribution of an ESP known as ADAPT (Albumin-binding domain Derived Affinity ProTein). ADAPTs are selected from a library based on the scaffold of ABD (Albumin Binding Domain) of protein G. A particular ADAPT, the ADAPT6, binds to human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) with high affinity. Preclinical and early clinical studies have demonstrated that radiolabeled ADAPT6 can image HER2-expression in tumors with high contrast. However, its rapid glomerular filtration and high renal reabsorption have prevented its use in radionuclide therapy. To modify the biodistribution, ADAPT6 was genetically fused to an ABD. The non-covalent binding to the host's albumin resulted in a 14-fold reduction of renal uptake and appreciable increase of tumor uptake for the best variant, 177Lu-DOTA-ADAPT6-ABD035. Experimental therapy in mice bearing HER2-expressing xenografts demonstrated more than two-fold increase of median survival even after a single injection of 18 MBq 177Lu-DOTA-ADAPT6-ABD035. Thus, a fusion with ABD and optimization of the molecular design provides ADAPT derivatives with attractive targeting properties for radionuclide therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma von Witting
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Borin
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden; Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olga Vorontsova
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mark W Konijnenberg
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maryam Oroujeni
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden; Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia.
| | - Sophia Hober
- Department of Protein Technology, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dahlsson Leitao C, S. Rinne S, Altai M, Vorontsova O, Dunås F, Jonasson P, Tolmachev V, Löfblom J, Ståhl S, Orlova A. Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Mono- and Bivalent Affibody-Based Fusion Proteins Targeting HER3 in a Pancreatic Cancer Xenograft Model. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12060551. [PMID: 32545760 PMCID: PMC7356278 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) has been increasingly scrutinized as a potential drug target since the elucidation of its role in mediating tumor growth and acquired therapy resistance. Affibody molecules are so-called scaffold proteins with favorable biophysical properties, such as a small size for improved tissue penetration and extravasation, thermal and chemical stability, and a high tolerance to modifications. Additionally, affibody molecules are efficiently produced in prokaryotic hosts or by chemical peptide synthesis. We have previously evaluated the biodistribution profiles of five mono- and bivalent anti-HER3 affibody molecules (designated as 3) fused to an albumin-binding domain (designated as A), 3A, 33A, 3A3, A33, and A3, that inhibit ligand-dependent phosphorylation. In the present study, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of the three most promising variants, 3A, 33A, and 3A3, in a direct comparison with the HER3-targeting monoclonal antibody seribantumab (MM-121) in a preclinical BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer model. Xenografted mice were treated with either an affibody construct or MM-121 and the tumor growth was compared to a vehicle group. Receptor occupancy was estimated by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging using a HER3-targeting affibody imaging agent [68Ga]Ga-(HE)3-Z08698-NODAGA. The affibody molecules could inhibit ligand-dependent phosphorylation and cell proliferation in vitro and demonstrated tumor growth inhibition in vivo comparable to that of MM-121. PET/CT imaging showed full receptor occupancy for all tested drug candidates. Treatment with 3A and 3A3 affibody constructs was more efficient than with 33A and similar to the anti-HER3 antibody seribantumab, showing that the molecular design of affibody-based therapeutics targeting HER3 in terms of the relative position of functional domains and valency has an impact on therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Dahlsson Leitao
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.D.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Sara S. Rinne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.S.R.); or (M.A.)
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.S.R.); or (M.A.)
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.V.); (V.T.)
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Olga Vorontsova
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Finn Dunås
- Affibody AB, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (F.D.); (P.J.)
| | - Per Jonasson
- Affibody AB, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (F.D.); (P.J.)
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.V.); (V.T.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.D.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Stefan Ståhl
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.D.L.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.S.R.); or (M.A.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (A.O.)
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9
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Garousi J, Vorobyeva A, Altai M. Influence of Several Compounds and Drugs on the Renal Uptake of Radiolabeled Affibody Molecules. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25112673. [PMID: 32526905 PMCID: PMC7321166 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are the most studied class of engineered scaffold proteins (ESPs) in radionuclide molecular imaging. Attempts to use affibody molecules directly labelled with radiometals for targeted radionuclide therapy were hampered by the high uptake and retention of radioactivity in kidneys. Several promising strategies have been implemented to circumvent this problem. Here, we investigated whether a pharmacological approach targeting different components of the reabsorption system could be used to lower the uptake of [99mTc]Tc-ZHER:2395 affibody molecule in kidneys. Pre-injection of probenecid, furosemide, mannitol or colchicine had no influence on activity uptake in kidneys compared to the control group. Mice pre-injected with maleate and fructose had 33% and 51% reduction in the kidney-associated activity, respectively, compared to the control group. Autoradiography images showed that the accumulation of activity after [99mTc]Tc-ZHER2:2395 injection was in the renal cortex and that both maleate and fructose could significantly reduce it. Results from this study demonstrate that pharmacological intervention with maleate and fructose was effective in reducing the kidney uptake of affibody molecules. A presumable mechanism is the disruption of ATP-mediated cellular uptake and endocytosis processes of affibody molecules by tubular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.G.); (A.V.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634 050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Kamprad Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 222 43 Lund, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-704128699
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Vorobyeva A, Konovalova E, Xu T, Schulga A, Altai M, Garousi J, Rinne SS, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Deyev S. Feasibility of Imaging EpCAM Expression in Ovarian Cancer Using Radiolabeled DARPin Ec1. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093310. [PMID: 32392820 PMCID: PMC7246691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in 55%–75% of ovarian carcinomas (OC). EpCAM might be used as a target for a treatment of disseminated OC. Designed ankyrin repeats protein (DARPin) Ec1 is a small (18 kDa) protein, which binds to EpCAM with subnanomolar affinity. We tested a hypothesis that Ec1 labeled with a non-residualizing label might serve as a companion imaging diagnostic for stratification of patients for EpCAM-targeting therapy. Ec1 was labeled with 125I using N-succinimidyl-para-iodobenzoate. Binding affinity, specificity, and cellular processing of [125I]I-PIB-Ec1 were evaluated using SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Biodistribution and tumor-targeting properties of [125I]I-PIB-Ec1 were studied in Balb/c nu/nu mice bearing SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 xenografts. EpCAM-negative Ramos lymphoma xenografts served as specificity control. Binding of [125I]I-PIB-Ec1 to ovarian carcinoma cell lines was highly specific and had affinity in picomolar range. Slow internalization of [125I]I-PIB-Ec1 by OC cells confirmed utility of non-residualizing label for in vivo imaging. [125I]I-PIB-Ec1 provided 6 h after injection tumor-to-blood ratios of 30 ± 11 and 48 ± 12 for OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 xenografts, respectively, and high contrast to other organs. Tumor targeting was highly specific. Saturation of tumor uptake at a high dose of Ec1 in SKOV-3 model provided a rationale for dose selection in further studies using therapeutic conjugates of Ec1 for targeted therapy. In conclusion, [125I]I-PIB-Ec1 is a promising agent for visualizing EpCAM expression in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (J.G.); (V.T.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-18-471-3868
| | - Elena Konovalova
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.K.); (S.D.)
| | - Tianqi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (J.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Alexey Schulga
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.)
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.K.); (S.D.)
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (J.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (J.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Sara S. Rinne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Anna Orlova
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (M.A.); (J.G.); (V.T.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Sergey Deyev
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.)
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.K.); (S.D.)
- Bio-Nanophotonic Lab, Institute of Engineering Physics for Biomedicine (PhysBio), National Research Nuclear University ‘MEPhI’, 115409 Moscow, Russia
- Center of Biomedical Engineering, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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11
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Altai M, Garousi J, Rinne SS, Schulga A, Deyev S, Vorobyeva A. On the prevention of kidney uptake of radiolabeled DARPins. EJNMMI Res 2020; 10:7. [PMID: 32020413 PMCID: PMC7000568 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-020-0599-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are small engineered scaffold proteins (14–18 kDa) that demonstrated promising tumor-targeting properties in preclinical studies. However, high renal accumulation of activity for DARPins labeled with residualizing labels is a limitation for targeted radionuclide therapy. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind the kidney uptake of DARPins could aid the development of strategies to reduce it. In this study, we have investigated whether the renal uptake of [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-G3 DARPin could be reduced by administration of compounds that act on various parts of the reabsorption system in the kidney. Results Co-injection of lysine or Gelofusine was not effective for the reduction of kidney uptake of [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-G3. Administration of sodium maleate before the injection of [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-G3 reduced the kidney-associated activity by 60.4 ± 10.3%, while administration of fructose reduced it by 46.9 ± 7.6% compared with the control. The decrease in the kidney uptake provided by sodium maleate was also observed for [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-9_29 DARPin. Preinjection of colchicine, probenecid, mannitol, or furosemide had no effect on the kidney uptake of [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-G3. Kidney autoradiography showed mainly cortical accumulation of activity for all studied groups. Conclusion Common clinical strategies were not effective for the reduction of kidney uptake of [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-G3. Both fructose and maleate lower the cellular ATP level in the proximal tubule cells and their reduction of the kidney reuptake indicates the involvement of an ATP-driven uptake mechanism. The decrease provided by maleate for both G3 and 9_29 DARPins indicates that their uptake proceeds through a mechanism independent of DARPin structure and binding site composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara S Rinne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexey Schulga
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Deyev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia.,Center of Biomedical Engineering, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden. .,National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia.
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12
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Liu H, Lindbo S, Ding H, Altai M, Garousi J, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Hober S, Gräslund T. Potent and specific fusion toxins consisting of a HER2‑binding, ABD‑derived affinity protein, fused to truncated versions of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. Int J Oncol 2019; 55:309-319. [PMID: 31180549 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion toxins consisting of an affinity protein fused to toxic polypeptides derived from Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA) are promising agents for targeted cancer therapy. In this study, we examined whether fusion toxins consisting of an albumin binding domain‑derived affinity protein (ADAPT) interacting with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), coupled to the ETA‑derived polypeptides PE38X8 or PE25, with or without an albumin binding domain (ABD) for half‑life extension, can be used for specific killing of HER2‑expressing cells. The fusion toxins could easily be expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. All constructs had strong affinity for HER2 (KD 10 to 26 nM) and no tendency for aggregation could be detected. The fusion toxins including the ABD showed strong interaction with human and mouse serum albumin [equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) 1 to 3 nM and 2 to 10 nM, respectively]. The in vitro investigation of the cytotoxic potential revealed IC50‑values in the picomolar range for cells expressing high levels of HER2. The specificity was also demonstrated, by showing that free HER2 receptors on the target cells are required for fusion toxin activity. In mice, the fusion toxins containing the ABD exhibited an appreciably longer time in circulation. The uptake was highest in liver and kidney. Fusion with PE25 was associated with the highest hepatic uptake. Collectively, the results suggest that fusion toxins consisting of ADAPTs and ETA‑derivatives are promising agents for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah Lindbo
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Haozhong Ding
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sophia Hober
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Gräslund
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Mitran B, Rinne S, Vorobyeva A, Altai M, Konijnenberg M, Maina T, Nock B, Tolmachev V, Rosenström U, Orlova A. Trastuzumab co-treatment improves survival of mice with PC-3 prostate cancer xenografts treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTAGA-PEG2-RM26 GRPR antagonists. Nucl Med Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s0969-8051(19)30248-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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Mitran B, Rinne SS, Konijnenberg MW, Maina T, Nock BA, Altai M, Vorobyeva A, Larhed M, Tolmachev V, de Jong M, Rosenström U, Orlova A. Trastuzumab cotreatment improves survival of mice with PC-3 prostate cancer xenografts treated with the GRPR antagonist 177 Lu-DOTAGA-PEG 2 -RM26. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:3347-3358. [PMID: 31077356 PMCID: PMC6852655 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gastrin‐releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in prostate cancer and are suitable for targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT). We optimized the bombesin‐derived GRPR‐antagonist PEG2‐RM26 for labeling with 177Lu and further determined the effect of treatment with 177Lu‐labeled peptide alone or in combination with the anti‐HER2 antibody trastuzumab in a murine model. The PEG2‐RM26 analog was coupled to NOTA, NODAGA, DOTA and DOTAGA chelators. The peptide‐chelator conjugates were labeled with 177Lu and characterized in vitro and in vivo. A preclinical therapeutic study was performed in PC‐3 xenografted mice. Mice were treated with intravenous injections (6 cycles) of (A) PBS, (B) DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26, (C) 177Lu‐DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26, (D) trastuzumab or (E) 177Lu‐DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26 in combination with trastuzumab. 177Lu‐DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26 demonstrated quantitative labeling yield at high molar activity (450 GBq/μmol), high in vivo stability (5 min pi >98% of radioligand remained when coinjected with phosphoramidon), high affinity to GRPR (KD = 0.4 ± 0.2 nM), and favorable biodistribution (1 hr pi tumor uptake was higher than in healthy tissues, including the kidneys). Therapy with 177Lu‐DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26 induced a significant inhibition of tumor growth. The median survival for control groups was significantly shorter than for treated groups (Group C 66 days, Group E 74 days). Trastuzumab together with radionuclide therapy significantly improved survival. No treatment‐related toxicity was observed. In conclusion, based on in vitro and in vivo characterization of the four 177Lu‐labeled PEG2‐RM26 analogs, we concluded that 177Lu‐DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26 was the most promising analog for TRT. Radiotherapy using 177Lu‐DOTAGA‐PEG2‐RM26 effectively inhibited tumor growth in vivo in a murine prostate cancer model. Anti‐HER2 therapy additionally improved survival. What's new? Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) using radiolabeled peptides seeking gastrin‐releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) in tumors is a promising approach to treat disseminated prostate cancer. The possibility to improve the therapeutic index via combination therapies also warrants further investigation. Here, the authors developed and characterized a promising GRPR‐targeting radioligand and demonstrated its therapeutic efficacy in prostate cancer xenografts. Moreover, this study using the anti‐HER2 antibody trastuzumab presents the first in vivo proof‐of‐principle that the effects of anti‐GRPR radiotherapy can be amplified by co‐administration of anti‐HER2 treatment leading to prolonged survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Mitran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara S Rinne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mark W Konijnenberg
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRASTES, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Berthold A Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRASTES, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Larhed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marion de Jong
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrika Rosenström
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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von Witting E, Garousi J, Lindbo S, Vorobyeva A, Altai M, Oroujeni M, Mitran B, Orlova A, Hober S, Tolmachev V. Selection of the optimal macrocyclic chelators for labeling with 111In and 68Ga improves contrast of HER2 imaging using engineered scaffold protein ADAPT6. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2019; 140:109-120. [PMID: 31082509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Radionuclide molecular imaging is a promising tool that becomes increasingly important as targeted cancer therapies are developed. To ensure an effective treatment, a molecular stratification of the cancer is a necessity. To accomplish this, visualization of cancer associated molecular abnormalities in vivo by molecular imaging is the method of choice. ADAPTs, a novel type of small protein scaffold, have been utilized to select and develop high affinity binders to different proteinaceous targets. One of these binders, ADAPT6 selectively interacts with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) with low nanomolar affinity and can therefore be used for its in vivo visualization. Molecular design and optimization of labeled anti-HER2 ADAPT has been explored in several earlier studies, showing that small changes in the scaffold affect the biodistribution of the domain. In this study, we evaluate how the biodistribution properties of ADAPT6 is affected by the commonly used maleimido derivatives of the macrocyclic chelators NOTA, NODAGA, DOTA and DOTAGA with the aim to select the best variants for SPECT and PET imaging. The different conjugates were labeled with 111In for SPECT and 68Ga for PET. The acquired data show that the combination of a radionuclide and a chelator for its conjugation has a strong influence on the uptake of ADAPT6 in normal tissues and thereby gives a significant variation in tumor-to-organ ratios. Hence, it was concluded that the best variant for SPECT imaging is 111In-(HE)3DANS-ADAPT6-GSSC-DOTA while the best variant for PET imaging is 68Ga-(HE)3DANS-ADAPT6-GSSC-NODAGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma von Witting
- Department of Protein Science, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sarah Lindbo
- Department of Protein Science, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maryam Oroujeni
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sophia Hober
- Department of Protein Science, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
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Deyev S, Vorobyeva A, Schulga A, Proshkina G, Güler R, Löfblom J, Mitran B, Garousi J, Altai M, Buijs J, Chernov V, Orlova A, Tolmachev V. Comparative Evaluation of Two DARPin Variants: Effect of Affinity, Size, and Label on Tumor Targeting Properties. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:995-1008. [PMID: 30608701 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are small engineered scaffold proteins that can be selected for binding to desirable molecular targets. High affinity and small size of DARPins render them promising probes for radionuclide molecular imaging. However, detailed knowledge on many factors influencing their imaging properties is still lacking. We have evaluated two human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-specific DARPins with different size and binding properties. DARPins 9_29-H6 and G3-H6 were radiolabeled with iodine-125 and tricarbonyl technetium-99m and evaluated in vitro. A side-by-side comparison of biodistribution and tumor targeting was performed. HER2-specific tumor accumulation of G3-H6 was demonstrated. A combination of smaller size and higher affinity resulted in a higher tumor uptake of G3-H6 in comparison to 9_29-H6. Technetium-99m labeled G3-H6 demonstrated a better biodistribution profile than 9_29-H6, with several-fold lower uptake in liver. Radioiodinated G3-H6 showed the best tumor-to-organ ratios. The combined effect of affinity, molecular weight, scaffold composition, and nonresidualizing properties of iodine label provided radioiodinated G3-H6 with high clinical potential for imaging of HER2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Deyev
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory , Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia.,National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk , Russia.,Bio-Nanophotonic Lab., Institute of Engineering Physics for Biomedicine (PhysBio) , National Research Nuclear University "MEPhI" , Moscow , Russia
| | | | - Alexey Schulga
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory , Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia
| | - Galina Proshkina
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory , Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia
| | - Rezan Güler
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Stockholm , Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | - Vladimir Chernov
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Cancer Research Institute , Tomsk National Research Medical Center Russian Academy of Sciences , Tomsk , Russia
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Vorobyeva A, Westerlund K, Mitran B, Altai M, Rinne S, Sörensen J, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Karlström AE. Development of an optimal imaging strategy for selection of patients for affibody-based PNA-mediated radionuclide therapy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9643. [PMID: 29942011 PMCID: PMC6018533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27886-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are engineered scaffold proteins, which demonstrated excellent binding to selected tumor-associated molecular abnormalities in vivo and highly sensitive and specific radionuclide imaging of Her2-expressing tumors in clinics. Recently, we have shown that peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated affibody-based pretargeted radionuclide therapy using beta-emitting radionuclide 177Lu extended significantly survival of mice bearing human Her2-expressing tumor xenografts. In this study, we evaluated two approaches to use positron emission tomography (PET) for stratification of patients for affibody-based pretargeting therapy. The primary targeting probe ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 and the secondary probe HP2 (both conjugated with DOTA chelator) were labeled with the positron-emitting radionuclide 68Ga. Biodistribution of both probes was measured in BALB/C nu/nu mice bearing either SKOV-3 xenografts with high Her2 expression or DU-145 xenografts with low Her2 expression. 68Ga-HP2 was evaluated in the pretargeting setting. Tumor uptake of both probes was compared with the uptake of pretargeted 177Lu-HP2. The uptake of both 68Ga-ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 and 68Ga-HP2 depended on Her2-expression level providing clear discrimination of between tumors with high and low Her2 expression. Tumor uptake of 68Ga-HP2 correlated better with the uptake of 177Lu-HP2 than the uptake of 68Ga-ZHER2:342-SR-HP1. The use of 68Ga-HP2 as a theranostics counterpart would be preferable approach for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristina Westerlund
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Rinne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jens Sörensen
- Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Medical Imaging Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Westerlund K, Altai M, Mitran B, Konijnenberg M, Oroujeni M, Atterby C, de Jong M, Orlova A, Mattsson J, Micke P, Karlström AE, Tolmachev V. Radionuclide Therapy of HER2-Expressing Human Xenografts Using Affibody-Based Peptide Nucleic Acid-Mediated Pretargeting: In Vivo Proof of Principle. J Nucl Med 2018; 59:1092-1098. [PMID: 29439013 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.208348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are small proteins engineered using a nonantibody scaffold. Radiolabeled Affibody molecules are excellent imaging probes, but their application to radionuclide therapy has been prevented by high renal reabsorption. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that Affibody-based peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated pretargeted therapy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-expressing cancer extends survival without accompanying renal toxicity. Methods: A HER2-targeting Affibody molecule ligated with an AGTCGTGATGTAGTC PNA hybridization probe (ZHER2:342-SR-HP1) was used as the primary pretargeting agent. A complementary AGTCGTGATGTAGTC PNA conjugated to the chelator DOTA and labeled with the radionuclide 177Lu (177Lu-HP2) was used as the secondary agent. The influence of different factors on pretargeting was investigated. Experimental radionuclide therapy in mice bearing SKOV-3 xenografts was performed in 6 cycles separated by 7 d. Results: Optimal tumor targeting was achieved when 16 MBq/3.5 μg (0.65 nmol) of 177Lu-HP2 was injected 16 h after injection of 100 μg (7.7 nmol) of ZHER2:342-SR-HP1. The calculated absorbed dose to tumors was 1,075 mGy/MBq, whereas the absorbed dose to kidneys was 206 mGy/MBq and the absorbed dose to blood (surrogate of bone marrow) was 4 mGy/MBq. Survival of mice was significantly longer (P < 0.05) in the treatment group (66 d) than in the control groups treated with the same amount of ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 only (37 d), the same amount and activity of 177Lu-HP2 only (32 d), or phosphate-buffered saline (37 d). Conclusion: The studied pretargeting system can deliver an absorbed dose to tumors appreciably exceeding absorbed doses to critical organs, making Affibody-based PNA-mediated pretargeted radionuclide therapy highly attractive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Westerlund
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Mark Konijnenberg
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maryam Oroujeni
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christina Atterby
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marion de Jong
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Orlova
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Johanna Mattsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrick Micke
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Eriksson O, Korsgren O, Selvaraju RK, Mollaret M, de Boysson Y, Chimienti F, Altai M. Pancreatic imaging using an antibody fragment targeting the zinc transporter type 8: a direct comparison with radio-iodinated Exendin-4. Acta Diabetol 2018; 55:49-57. [PMID: 29064047 PMCID: PMC5794837 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-017-1059-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM The zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) has been suggested as a suitable target for non-invasive visualization of the functional pancreatic beta cell mass, due to both its pancreatic beta cell restricted expression and tight involvement in insulin secretion. METHODS In order to examine the potential of ZnT8 as a surrogate target for beta cell mass, we performed mRNA transcription analysis in pancreatic compartments. A novel ZnT8 targeting antibody fragment Ab31 was radiolabeled with iodine-125, and evaluated by in vitro autoradiography in insulinoma and pancreas as well as by in vivo biodistribution. The evaluation was performed in a direct comparison with radio-iodinated Exendin-4. RESULTS Transcription of the ZnT8 mRNA was higher in islets of Langerhans compared to exocrine tissue. Ab31 targeted ZnT8 in the cytosol and on the plasma membrane with 108 nM affinity. Ab31 was successfully radiolabeled with iodine-125 with high yield and > 95% purity. [125I]Ab31 binding to insulinoma and pancreas was higher than for [125I]Exendin-4, but could only by partially competed away by 200 nM Ab31 in excess. The in vivo uptake of [125I]Ab31 was higher than [125I]Exendin-4 in most tissues, mainly due to slower clearance from blood. CONCLUSIONS We report a first-in-class ZnT8 imaging ligand for pancreatic imaging. Development with respect to ligand miniaturization and radionuclide selection is required for further progress. Transcription analysis indicates ZnT8 as a suitable target for visualization of the human endocrine pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Eriksson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olle Korsgren
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ram Kumar Selvaraju
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Fabrice Chimienti
- Mellitech SAS, 38028, Grenoble, France
- Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit (IMED Biotech), AstraZeneca AB, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
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20
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Altai M, Westerlund K, Velletta J, Mitran B, Honarvar H, Karlström AE. Evaluation of affibody molecule-based PNA-mediated radionuclide pretargeting: Development of an optimized conjugation protocol and 177Lu labeling. Nucl Med Biol 2017; 54:1-9. [PMID: 28810153 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have previously developed a pretargeting approach for affibody-mediated cancer therapy based on PNA-PNA hybridization. In this article we have further developed this approach by optimizing the production of the primary agent, ZHER2:342-SR-HP1, and labeling the secondary agent, HP2, with the therapeutic radionuclide 177Lu. We also studied the biodistribution profile of 177Lu-HP2 in mice, and evaluated pretargeting with 177Lu-HP2 in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The biodistribution profile of 177Lu-HP2 was evaluated in NMRI mice and compared to the previously studied 111In-HP2. Pretargeting using 177Lu-HP2 was studied in vitro using the HER2-expressing cell lines BT-474 and SKOV-3, and in vivo in mice bearing SKOV-3 xenografts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Using an optimized production protocol for ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 the ligation time was reduced from 15h to 30min, and the yield increased from 45% to 70%. 177Lu-labeled HP2 binds specifically in vitro to BT474 and SKOV-3 cells pre-treated with ZHER2:342-SR-HP1. 177Lu-HP2 was shown to have a more rapid blood clearance compared to 111In-HP2 in NMRI mice, and the measured radioactivity in blood was 0.22±0.1 and 0.68±0.07%ID/g for 177Lu- and 111In-HP2, respectively, at 1h p.i. In contrast, no significant difference in kidney uptake was observed (4.47±1.17 and 3.94±0.58%ID/g for 177Lu- and 111In-HP2, respectively, at 1h p.i.). Co-injection with either Gelofusine or lysine significantly reduced the kidney uptake for 177Lu-HP2 (1.0±0.1 and 1.6±0.2, respectively, vs. 2.97±0.87%ID/g in controls at 4h p.i.). 177Lu-HP2 accumulated in SKOV-3 xenografts in BALB/C nu/nu mice when administered after injection of ZHER2:342-SR-HP1. Without pre-injection of ZHER2:342-SR-HP1, the uptake of 177Lu-HP2 was about 90-fold lower in tumor (0.23±0.08 vs. 20.7±3.5%ID/g). The tumor-to-kidney radioactivity accumulation ratio was almost 5-fold higher in the group of mice pre-injected with ZHER2:342-SR-HP1. In conclusion, 177Lu-HP2 was shown to be a promising secondary agent for affibody-mediated tumor pretargeting in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristina Westerlund
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Justin Velletta
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Division of Molecular Imaging, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract
In vivo pretargeting stands as a promising approach to harnessing the exquisite tumor-targeting properties of antibodies for nuclear imaging and therapy while simultaneously skirting their pharmacokinetic limitations. The core premise of pretargeting lies in administering the targeting vector and radioisotope separately and having the 2 components combine within the body. In this manner, pretargeting strategies decrease the circulation time of the radioactivity, reduce the uptake of the radionuclide in healthy nontarget tissues, and facilitate the use of short-lived radionuclides that would otherwise be incompatible with antibody-based vectors. In this short review, we seek to provide a brief yet informative survey of the 4 preeminent mechanistic approaches to pretargeting, strategies predicated on streptavidin and biotin, bispecific antibodies, complementary oligonucleotides, and bioorthogonal click chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rosemery Membreno
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York.,PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York; and.,Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brendon Cook
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York.,PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York; and.,Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Brian M Zeglis
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York .,PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York; and.,Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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23
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Altai M, Liu H, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Gräslund T. Influence of molecular design on biodistribution and targeting properties of an Affibody-fused HER2-recognising anticancer toxin. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:1185-94. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Honarvar H, Westerlund K, Altai M, Sandström M, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Karlström AE. Feasibility of Affibody Molecule-Based PNA-Mediated Radionuclide Pretargeting of Malignant Tumors. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:93-103. [PMID: 26722376 PMCID: PMC4679357 DOI: 10.7150/thno.12766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are small (7 kDa), non-immunoglobulin scaffold proteins with a potential as targeting agents for radionuclide imaging of cancer. However, high renal re-absorption of Affibody molecules prevents their use for radionuclide therapy with residualizing radiometals. We hypothesized that the use of Affibody-based peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated pretargeting would enable higher accumulation of radiometals in tumors than in kidneys. To test this hypothesis, we designed an Affibody-PNA chimera ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 containing a 15-mer HP1 PNA recognition tag and a complementary HP2 hybridization probe permitting labeling with both 125I and 111In. 111In-ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 bound specifically to HER2-expressing BT474 and SKOV-3 cancer cells in vitro, with a KD of 6±2 pM for binding to SKOV-3 cells. Specific high affinity binding of the radiolabeled complementary PNA probe 111In-/125I-HP2 to ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 pre-treated cells was demonstrated. 111In-ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 demonstrated specific accumulation in SKOV-3 xenografts in BALB/C nu/nu mice and rapid clearance from blood. Pre-saturation of SKOV-3 with non-labeled anti-HER2 Affibody or the use of HER2-negative Ramos xenografts resulted in significantly lower tumor uptake of 111In-ZHER2:342-SR-HP1. The complementary PNA probe 111In/125I-HP2 accumulated in SKOV-3 xenografts when ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 was injected 4 h earlier. The tumor accumulation of 111In/125I-HP2 was negligible without ZHER2:342-SR-HP1 pre-injection. The uptake of 111In-HP2 in SKOV-3 xenografts was 19±2 %ID/g at 1 h after injection. The uptake in blood and kidneys was approximately 50- and 2-fold lower, respectively. In conclusion, we have shown that the use of Affibody-based PNA-mediated pretargeting enables specific delivery of radiometals to tumors and provides higher radiometal concentration in tumors than in kidneys.
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Altai M, Perols A, Tsourma M, Mitran B, Honarvar H, Robillard M, Rossin R, ten Hoeve W, Lubberink M, Orlova A, Karlström AE, Tolmachev V. Feasibility of Affibody-Based Bioorthogonal Chemistry-Mediated Radionuclide Pretargeting. J Nucl Med 2015; 57:431-6. [PMID: 26659353 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.115.162248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Affibody molecules constitute a new class of probes for radionuclide tumor targeting. The small size of Affibody molecules is favorable for rapid localization in tumors and clearance from circulation. However, high renal reabsorption of Affibody molecules prevents the use of residualizing radiometals, including several promising low-energy β- and α-emitters, for radionuclide therapy. We tested a hypothesis that Affibody-based pretargeting mediated by a bioorthogonal interaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and tetrazine would provide higher accumulation of radiometals in tumor xenografts than in the kidneys. METHODS TCO was conjugated to the anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) Affibody molecule Z2395. DOTA-tetrazine was labeled with (111)In and (177)Lu. In vitro pretargeting was studied in HER2-expressing SKOV-3 and BT474 cell lines. In vivo studies were performed on BALB/C nu/nu mice bearing SKOV-3 xenografts. RESULTS (125)I-Z2395-TCO bound specifically to HER2-expressing cells in vitro with an affinity of 45 ± 16 pM. (111)In-tetrazine bound specifically and selectively to Z2395-TCO pretreated cells. In vivo studies demonstrated HER2-specific (125)I-Z2395-TCO accumulation in xenografts. TCO-mediated (111)In-tetrazine localization was shown in tumors, when the radiolabeled tracer was injected 4 h after an injection of Z2395-TCO. At 1 h after injection, the tumor uptake of (111)In-tetrazine and (177)Lu-tetrazine was approximately 2-fold higher than the renal uptake. Pretargeting provided more than a 56-fold reduction of renal uptake of (111)In in comparison with direct targeting. CONCLUSION The feasibility of Affibody-based bioorthogonal chemistry-mediated pretargeting was demonstrated. The use of pretargeting provides a substantial reduction of radiometal accumulation in kidneys, creating preconditions for palliative radionuclide therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Perols
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Tsourma
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Preclinical PET Platform, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Mark Lubberink
- Institute for Surgical Sciences, Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Preclinical PET Platform, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Institute for Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Altai M, Orlova A, Tolmachev V. Radiolabeled probes targeting tyrosine-kinase receptors for personalized medicine. Curr Pharm Des 2015; 20:2275-92. [PMID: 24025099 DOI: 10.2174/13816128113196660667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are transmembrane receptors regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, motility and recruitment of the vasculature. Aberrant expression and/or function of RTK have been detected in many malignant tumors and are considered to be a part of the transformed phenotype. The action of several classes of anti-cancer drugs is based on specific recognition of RTK. Monoclonal antibodies target extracellular binding domains, while tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) bind to intracellular kinase domains to suppress RTK signaling. The issues regarding the efficient use of RTK targeting are the inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity of RTK expression and the changes of expression levels during the course of disease and in response to therapy. Radionuclide molecular imaging of RTK expression may aid in selecting patients who would benefit from RTK-targeting therapy and in identifying non-responders. Therefore, the therapy would be more personalized. Currently, radiolabeled proteins (monoclonal antibodies and their fragments, natural peptides ligands to RTK and de novo selected affinity proteins) and TKI and their analogues are under development for the visualization of RTK. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, S-751 81 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Strand J, Nordeman P, Honarvar H, Altai M, Orlova A, Larhed M, Tolmachev V. Site-Specific Radioiodination of HER2-Targeting Affibody Molecules using 4-Iodophenethylmaleimide Decreases Renal Uptake of Radioactivity. ChemistryOpen 2015; 4:174-82. [PMID: 25969816 PMCID: PMC4420590 DOI: 10.1002/open.201402097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are small scaffold-based affinity proteins with promising properties as probes for radionuclide-based molecular imaging. However, a high reabsorption of radiolabeled Affibody molecules in kidneys is an issue. We have shown that the use of 125I-3-iodo-((4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)maleimide (IHPEM) for site-specific labeling of cysteine-containing Affibody molecules provides high tumor uptake but low radioactivity retention in kidneys. We hypothesized that the use of 4-iodophenethylmaleimide (IPEM) would further reduce renal retention of radioactivity because of higher lipophilicity of radiometabolites. An anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) Affibody molecule (ZHER2:2395) was labeled using 125I-IPEM with an overall yield of 45±3 %. 125I-IPEM-ZHER2:2395 bound specifically to HER2-expressing human ovarian carcinoma cells (SKOV-3 cell line). In NMRI mice, the renal uptake of 125I-IPEM-ZHER2:2395 (24±2 and 5.7±0.3 % IA g−1at 1 and 4 h after injection, respectively) was significantly lower than uptake of 125I-IHPEM-ZHER2:2395 (50±8 and 12±2 % IA g−1at 1 and 4 h after injection, respectively). In conclusion, the use of a more lipophilic linker for the radioiodination of Affibody molecules reduces renal radioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Strand
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrik Nordeman
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Larhed
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
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Mitran B, Altai M, Hofström C, Honarvar H, Sandström M, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Gräslund T. Evaluation of 99mTc-Z IGF1R:4551-GGGC affibody molecule, a new probe for imaging of insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor expression. Amino Acids 2014; 47:303-15. [PMID: 25425114 PMCID: PMC4302241 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1859-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in several cancers is associated with resistance to therapy. Radionuclide molecular imaging of IGF-1R expression in tumors may help in selecting the patients that will potentially respond to IGF-1R-targeted therapy. Affibody molecules are small (7 kDa) non-immunoglobulin-based scaffold proteins that are well-suited probes for radionuclide imaging. The aim of this study was the evaluation of an anti-IGF-1R affibody molecule labeled with technetium-99m using cysteine-containing peptide-based chelator GGGC at C-terminus. ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC was efficiently and stably labeled with technetium-99m (radiochemical yield 97 ± 3 %). 99mTc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC demonstrated specific binding to IGF-1R-expressing DU-145 (prostate cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell lines and slow internalization in vitro. The tumor-targeting properties were studied in BALB/c nu/nu mice bearing DU-145 and MCF-7 xenografts. [99mTc(CO)3]+-(HE)3-ZIGF1R:4551 was used for comparison. The biodistribution study demonstrated high tumor-to-blood ratios (6.2 ± 0.9 and 6.9 ± 1.0, for DU-145 and MCF-7, respectively, at 4 h after injection). Renal radioactivity concentration was 16-fold lower for 99mTc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC than for [99mTc(CO)3]+-(HE)3-ZIGF1R:4551 at 4 h after injection. However, the liver uptake of 99mTc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC was 1.2- to 2-fold higher in comparison with [99mTc(CO)3]+-(HE)3-ZIGF1R:4551. A possible reason for the elevated hepatic uptake of 99mTc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC is a high lipophilicity of amino acids in the binding site of ZIGF1R:4551, which is not compensated in 99mTc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC. In conclusion, 99mTc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC can visualize the IGF-1R expression in human tumor xenografts and provides low retention of radioactivity in kidneys. Further development of this imaging agent should include molecular design aimed at reducing the hepatic uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Mitran
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Honarvar H, Garousi J, Gunneriusson E, Höidén-Guthenberg I, Altai M, Widström C, Tolmachev V, Frejd FY. Imaging of CAIX-expressing xenografts in vivo using 99mTc-HEHEHE-ZCAIX:1 affibody molecule. Int J Oncol 2014; 46:513-20. [PMID: 25434612 PMCID: PMC4277246 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a transmembrane enzyme involved in regulation of tissue pH balance. In cancer, CAIX expression is associated with tumor hypoxia. CAIX is also overexpressed in renal cell carcinoma and is a molecular target for the therapeutic antibody cG250 (girentuximab). Radionuclide imaging of CAIX expression might be used for identification of patients who may benefit from cG250 therapy and from treatment strategies for hypoxic tumors. Affibody molecules are small (7 kDa) scaffold proteins having a high potential as probes for radionuclide molecular imaging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate feasibility of in vivo imaging of CAIX-expression using radiolabeled Affibody molecules. A histidine-glutamate-histidine-glutamate-histidine-glutamate (HE)3-tag-containing CAIX-binding Affibody molecule (HE)3-ZCAIX:1 was labeled with [99mTc(CO)3]+. Its binding properties were evaluated in vitro using CAIX-expressing SK-RC-52 renal carcinoma cells. 99mTc-(HE)3-ZCAIX:1 was evaluated in NMRI nu/nu mice bearing SK-RC-52 xenografts. The in vivo specificity test confirmed CAIX-mediated tumor targeting. 99mTc-(HE)3-ZCAIX:1 cleared rapidly from blood and normal tissues except for kidneys. At optimal time-point (4 h p.i.), the tumor uptake was 9.7±0.7% ID/g, and tumor-to-blood ratio was 53±10. Experimental imaging of CAIX-expressing SK-RC-52 xenografts at 4 h p.i. provided high contrast images. The use of radioiodine label for ZCAIX:1 enabled the reduction of renal uptake, but resulted in significantly lower tumor uptake and tumor-to-blood ratio. Results of the present study suggest that radiolabeled Affibody molecules are promising probes for imaging of CAIX-expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadis Honarvar
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Javad Garousi
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Mohamed Altai
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charles Widström
- Department of Hospital Physics, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Y Frejd
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
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Altai M, Wållberg H, Honarvar H, Strand J, Orlova A, Varasteh Z, Sandström M, Löfblom J, Larsson E, Strand SE, Lubberink M, Ståhl S, Tolmachev V. 188Re-ZHER2:V2, a Promising Affibody-Based Targeting Agent Against HER2-Expressing Tumors: Preclinical Assessment. J Nucl Med 2014; 55:1842-8. [DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.114.140194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Altai M, Honarvar H, Wållberg H, Strand J, Varasteh Z, Rosestedt M, Orlova A, Dunås F, Sandström M, Löfblom J, Tolmachev V, Ståhl S. Selection of an optimal cysteine-containing peptide-based chelator for labeling of affibody molecules with (188)Re. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 87:519-28. [PMID: 25282673 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Affibody molecules constitute a class of small (7 kDa) scaffold proteins that can be engineered to have excellent tumor targeting properties. High reabsorption in kidneys complicates development of affibody molecules for radionuclide therapy. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the composition of cysteine-containing C-terminal peptide-based chelators on the biodistribution and renal retention of (188)Re-labeled anti-HER2 affibody molecules. Biodistribution of affibody molecules containing GGXC or GXGC peptide chelators (where X is G, S, E or K) was compared with biodistribution of a parental affibody molecule ZHER2:2395 having a KVDC peptide chelator. All constructs retained low picomolar affinity to HER2-expressing cells after labeling. The biodistribution of all (188)Re-labeled affibody molecules was in general comparable, with the main observed difference found in the uptake and retention of radioactivity in excretory organs. The (188)Re-ZHER2:V2 affibody molecule with a GGGC chelator provided the lowest uptake in all organs and tissues. The renal retention of (188)Re-ZHER2:V2 (3.1 ± 0.5 %ID/g at 4 h after injection) was 55-fold lower than retention of the parental (188)Re-ZHER2:2395 (172 ± 32 %ID/g). We show that engineering of cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators can be used for significant improvement of biodistribution of (188)Re-labeled scaffold proteins, particularly reduction of their uptake in excretory organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Division of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Division of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helena Wållberg
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Biochemistry, Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joanna Strand
- Division of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Zohreh Varasteh
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Rosestedt
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - John Löfblom
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Division of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Stefan Ståhl
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Varasteh Z, Rosenström U, Velikyan I, Mitran B, Altai M, Honarvar H, Rosestedt M, Lindeberg G, Sörensen J, Larhed M, Tolmachev V, Orlova A. The effect of mini-PEG-based spacer length on binding and pharmacokinetic properties of a 68Ga-labeled NOTA-conjugated antagonistic analog of bombesin. Molecules 2014; 19:10455-72. [PMID: 25036155 PMCID: PMC6270800 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190710455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in cancer can be used for peptide-receptor mediated radionuclide imaging and therapy. We have previously shown that an antagonist analog of bombesin RM26 conjugated to 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid (NOTA) via a diethyleneglycol (PEG2) spacer (NOTA-PEG2-RM26) and labeled with 68Ga can be used for imaging of GRPR-expressing tumors. In this study, we evaluated if a variation of mini-PEG spacer length can be used for optimization of targeting properties of the NOTA-conjugated RM26. A series of analogs with different PEG-length (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) was synthesized, radiolabeled and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The IC50 values of natGa-NOTA-PEGn-RM26 (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) were 3.1 ± 0.2, 3.9 ± 0.3, 5.4 ± 0.4 and 5.8 ± 0.3 nM, respectively. In normal mice all conjugates demonstrated similar biodistribution pattern, however 68Ga-NOTA-PEG3-RM26 showed lower liver uptake. Biodistribution of 68Ga-NOTA-PEG3-RM26 was evaluated in nude mice bearing PC-3 (prostate cancer) and BT-474 (breast cancer) xenografts. High uptake in tumors (4.6 ± 0.6%ID/g and 2.8 ± 0.4%ID/g for PC-3 and BT-474 xenografts, respectively) and high tumor-to-background ratios (tumor/blood of 44 ± 12 and 42 ± 5 for PC-3 and BT-474 xenografts, respectively) were found already at 2 h p.i. of 68Ga-NOTA-PEG3-RM26. Results of this study suggest that variation in the length of the PEG spacer can be used for optimization of targeting properties of peptide-chelator conjugates. However, the influence of the mini-PEG length on biodistribution is minor when di-, tri-, tetra- and hexaethylene glycol are compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Varasteh
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Rosenström
- Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Irina Velikyan
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Altai
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden
| | - Maria Rosestedt
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Lindeberg
- Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Jens Sörensen
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden
| | - Mats Larhed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Science for Life Laboratory, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden.
| | - Anna Orlova
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 23, Sweden
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Orlova A, Malm M, Rosestedt M, Varasteh Z, Andersson K, Selvaraju RK, Altai M, Honarvar H, Strand J, Ståhl S, Tolmachev V, Löfblom J. Imaging of HER3-expressing xenografts in mice using a (99m)Tc(CO) 3-HEHEHE-Z HER3:08699 affibody molecule. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2014; 41:1450-9. [PMID: 24622956 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-014-2733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 3 (HER3) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the HER (ErbB) receptor family. Membranous expression of HER3 is associated with trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer and the transition to androgen independence in prostate cancer. Imaging of HER3 expression in malignant tumors may provide important diagnostic information that can influence patient management. Affibody molecules with low picomolar affinity to HER3 were recently selected. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of HER3 imaging using radiolabeled Affibody molecules. METHODS A HER3-binding Affibody molecule, Z08699, with a HEHEHE-tag on N-terminus was labeled with (99m)Tc(CO)3 using an IsoLink kit. In vitro and in vivo binding specificity and the cellular processing of the labeled binder were evaluated. Biodistribution of (99m)Tc(CO)3-HEHEHE-Z08699 was studied over time in mice bearing HER3-expressing xenografts. RESULTS HEHEHE-Z08699 was labeled with (99m)Tc(CO)3 with an isolated yield of >80 % and a purity of >99 %. Binding of (99m)Tc(CO)3-HEHEHE-Z08699 was specific to BT474 and MCF7 (breast cancer), and LS174T (colon cancer) cells. Cellular processing showed rapid binding and relatively quick internalization of the receptor/Affibody molecule complex (70 % of cell-associated radioactivity was internalized after 24 h). The tumor targeting was receptor mediated and the excretion was predominantly renal. Receptor-mediated uptake was also found in the liver, lung, stomach, intestine, and salivary glands. At 4 h pi, tumor-to-blood ratios were 7 ± 3 for BT474, and 6 ± 2 for LS174T xenografts. LS174T tumors were visualized by microSPECT 4 h pi. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest the feasibility of HER3-imaging in malignant tumors using Affibody molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Orlova
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden,
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Rosik D, Thibblin A, Antoni G, Honarvar H, Strand J, Selvaraju RK, Altai M, Orlova A, Eriksson Karlström A, Tolmachev V. Incorporation of a Triglutamyl Spacer Improves the Biodistribution of Synthetic Affibody Molecules Radiofluorinated at the N-Terminus via Oxime Formation with 18F-4-Fluorobenzaldehyde. Bioconjug Chem 2013; 25:82-92. [DOI: 10.1021/bc400343r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Rosik
- Division
of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alf Thibblin
- PET
Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Antoni
- PET
Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
- Preclinical
PET Platform, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hadis Honarvar
- Unit
of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joanna Strand
- Unit
of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Mohamed Altai
- Unit
of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Preclinical
PET Platform, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Division
of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Unit
of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Hofström C, Altai M, Honarvar H, Strand J, Malmberg J, Hosseinimehr SJ, Orlova A, Gräslund T, Tolmachev V. HAHAHA, HEHEHE, HIHIHI, or HKHKHK: influence of position and composition of histidine containing tags on biodistribution of [(99m)Tc(CO)3](+)-labeled affibody molecules. J Med Chem 2013; 56:4966-74. [PMID: 23692562 DOI: 10.1021/jm400218y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Engineered affibody molecules can be used for high contrast in vivo molecular imaging. Extending a recombinantly produced HER2 binding affibody molecule with a hexa-histidine tag allows for convenient purification by immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography and labeling with [(99m)Tc(CO)3](+) but increases radioactivity uptake in the liver. To investigate the impact of charge, lipophilicity, and position on biodistribution, 10 variants of a histidine-based tag was attached to a HER2 binding affibody molecule. The biochemical properties and the HER2 binding affinity appeared to be similar for all variants. In vivo, positive charge promoted liver uptake. For N-terminally placed tags, lipophilicity promoted liver uptake and decreased kidney uptake. Kidney uptake was higher for C-terminally placed tags compared to their N-terminal counterparts. The variant with the amino acid composition HEHEHE placed in the N-terminus gave the lowest nonspecific uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Hofström
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Altai M, Strand J, Rosik D, Selvaraju RK, Eriksson Karlström A, Orlova A, Tolmachev V. Influence of nuclides and chelators on imaging using affibody molecules: comparative evaluation of recombinant affibody molecules site-specifically labeled with ⁶⁸Ga and ¹¹¹In via maleimido derivatives of DOTA and NODAGA. Bioconjug Chem 2013; 24:1102-9. [PMID: 23705574 DOI: 10.1021/bc300678y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Accurate detection of cancer-associated molecular abnormalities in tumors could make cancer treatment more personalized. Affibody molecules enable high contrast imaging of tumor-associated protein expression shortly after injection. The use of the generator-produced positron-emitting radionuclide (68)Ga should increase sensitivity of HER2 imaging. The chemical nature of radionuclides and chelators influences the biodistribution of Affibody molecules, providing an opportunity to further increase the imaging contrast. The aim of the study was to compare maleimido derivatives of DOTA and NODAGA for site-specific labeling of a recombinant ZHER2:2395 HER2-binding Affibody molecule with (68)Ga. DOTA and NODAGA were site-specifically conjugated to the ZHER2:2395 Affibody molecule having a C-terminal cysteine and labeled with (68)Ga and (111)In. All labeled conjugates retained specificity to HER2 in vitro. Most of the cell-associated activity was membrane-bound with a minor difference in internalization rate. All variants demonstrated specific targeting of xenografts and a high tumor uptake. The xenografts were clearly visualized using all conjugates. The influence of chelator on the biodistribution and targeting properties was much less pronounced for (68)Ga than for (111)In. The tumor uptake of (68)Ga-NODAGA-ZHER2:2395 and (68)Ga-DOTA-ZHER2:2395 and tumor-to-blood ratios at 2 h p.i. did not differ significantly. However, the tumor-to-liver ratio was significantly higher for (68)Ga-NODAGA- ZHER2:2395 (8 ± 2 vs 5.0 ± 0.3) offering the advantage of better liver metastases visualization. In conclusion, influence of chelators on biodistribution of Affibody molecules depends on the radionuclides and reoptimization of labeling chemistry is required when a radionuclide label is changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Division of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Sweden
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Altai M, Varasteh Z, Andersson K, Eek A, Boerman O, Orlova A. In Vivo and In Vitro Studies on Renal Uptake of Radiolabeled Affibody Molecules for Imaging of HER2 Expression in Tumors. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2013; 28:187-95. [DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2012.1304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Zohreh Varasteh
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karl Andersson
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Ridgeview Instruments AB, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Annemarie Eek
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Otto Boerman
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Orlova
- Preclinical PET Platform, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Altai M, Perols A, Karlström AE, Sandström M, Boschetti F, Orlova A, Tolmachev V. Preclinical evaluation of anti-HER2 Affibody molecules site-specifically labeled with 111In using a maleimido derivative of NODAGA. Nucl Med Biol 2012; 39:518-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2011.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2011] [Revised: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lindberg H, Hofström C, Altai M, Honorvar H, Wållberg H, Orlova A, Ståhl S, Gräslund T, Tolmachev V. Evaluation of a HER2-targeting affibody molecule combining an N-terminal HEHEHE-tag with a GGGC chelator for 99mTc-labelling at the C terminus. Tumour Biol 2012; 33:641-51. [PMID: 22249974 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-011-0305-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are a class of small (ca.7 kDa) robust scaffold proteins with high potential as tracers for radionuclide molecular imaging in vivo. Incorporation of a cysteine-containing peptide-based chelator at the C terminus provides an opportunity for stable labelling with the radionuclide (99m)Tc. The use of a GGGC chelator at the C terminus has provided the lowest renal radioactivity retention of the previously investigated peptide-based chelators. Previously, it has also been demonstrated that replacement of the His(6)-tag with the negatively charged histidine-glutamate-histidine-glutamate-histidine-glutamate (HEHEHE)-tag permits purification of affibody molecules by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and provides low hepatic accumulation of radioactivity of conjugates site-specifically labelled at the C terminus using several different nuclides. We hypothesized that the combination of a HEHEHE-tag at the N terminus and a GGGC chelator at the C terminus of an affibody molecule would be a favourable format permitting IMAC purification and providing low uptake in excretory organs. To investigate this hypothesis, a (HE)(3)-Z(HER2:342)-GGGC affibody molecule was generated. It could be efficiently purified by IMAC and stably labelled with (99m)Tc. (99m)Tc-(HE)(3)-Z(HER2:342)-GGGC preserved specific binding to HER2-expressing cells. In NMRI mice, hepatic uptake of (99m)Tc-(HE)(3)-Z(HER2:342)-GGGC was lower than the uptake of the control affibody molecules, (99m)Tc-Z(HER2:2395)-VDC and (99m)Tc-Z(HER2:342)-GGGC. At 1 and 4 h after injection, the renal uptake of (99m)Tc-(HE)(3)-Z(HER2:342)-GGGC was 2-3-fold lower than uptake of (99m)Tc-Z(HER2:2395)-VDC, but it was substantially higher than uptake of (99m)Tc-Z(HER2:342)-GGGC. Further investigation indicated that a fraction of (99m)Tc was chelated by the HEHEHE-tag which caused a higher accumulation of radioactivity in the kidneys. Thus, a combination of a HEHEHE-tag and the GGGC chelator in targeting scaffold proteins was found to be undesirable in the case of (99m)Tc labelling due to a partial loss of site-specificity of nuclide chelation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Lindberg
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, AlbaNova University Center, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Malmberg J, Perols A, Varasteh Z, Altai M, Braun A, Sandström M, Garske U, Tolmachev V, Orlova A, Eriksson Karlström A. Comparative evaluation of synthetic anti-HER2 Affibody molecules site-specifically labelled with 111In using N-terminal DOTA, NOTA and NODAGA chelators in mice bearing prostate cancer xenografts. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2011; 39:481-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-011-1992-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Altai M, Wållberg H, Orlova A, Rosestedt M, Hosseinimehr SJ, Tolmachev V, Ståhl S. Order of amino acids in C-terminal cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators influences cellular processing and biodistribution of 99mTc-labeled recombinant Affibody molecules. Amino Acids 2011; 42:1975-85. [PMID: 21573874 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-0927-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Affibody molecules constitute a novel class of molecular display selected affinity proteins based on non-immunoglobulin scaffold. Preclinical investigations and pilot clinical data have demonstrated that Affibody molecules provide high contrast imaging of tumor-associated molecular targets shortly after injection. The use of cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators at the C-terminus of recombinant Affibody molecules enabled site-specific labeling with the radionuclide 99mTc. Earlier studies have demonstrated that position, composition and the order of amino acids in peptide-based chelators influence labeling stability, cellular processing and biodistribution of Affibody molecules. To investigate the influence of the amino acid order, a series of anti-HER2 Affibody molecules, containing GSGC, GEGC and GKGC chelators have been prepared and characterized. The affinity to HER2, cellular processing of 99mTc-labeled Affibody molecules and their biodistribution were investigated. These properties were compared with that of the previously studied 99mTc-labeled Affibody molecules containing GGSC, GGEC and GGKC chelators. All variants displayed picomolar affinities to HER2. The substitution of a single amino acid in the chelator had an appreciable influence on the cellular processing of 99mTc. The biodistribution of all 99mTc-labeled Affibody molecules was in general comparable, with the main difference in uptake and retention of radioactivity in excretory organs. The hepatic accumulation of radioactivity was higher for the lysine-containing chelators and the renal retention of 99mTc was significantly affected by the amino acid composition of chelators. The order of amino acids influenced renal uptake of some conjugates at 1 h after injection, but the difference decreased at later time points. Such information can be helpful for the development of other scaffold protein-based imaging and therapeutic radiolabeled conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Altai
- Division of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
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Hofstrom C, Orlova A, Altai M, Wangsell F, Graslund T, Tolmachev V. Use of a HEHEHE purification tag instead of a hexahistidine tag improves biodistribution of affibody molecules site-specifically labeled with (99m)Tc, (111)In, and (125)I. J Med Chem 2011; 54:3817-26. [PMID: 21524142 DOI: 10.1021/jm200065e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Affibody molecules are a class of small (∼7 kDa) robust scaffold proteins suitable for radionuclide molecular imaging in vivo. The attachment of a hexahistidine (His(6))-tag to the Affibody molecule allows facile purification by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) but leads to high accumulation of radioactivity in the liver. Earlier, we have demonstrated that replacement of the His(6)-tag with the negatively charged histidine-glutamate-histidine-glutamate-histidine-glutamate (HEHEHE)-tag permits purification of Affibody molecules by IMAC, enables labeling with [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)](+), and provides low hepatic accumulation of radioactivity. In this study, we compared the biodistribution of cysteine-containing Affibody molecules site-specifically labeled with (111)In, (99m)Tc, and (125)I at the C-terminus, having a His(6)-tag at the N- or C-terminus or a HEHEHE-tag at the N-terminus. We show that the use of a HEHEHE-tag provides appreciable reduction of hepatic radioactivity, especially for radiometal labels. We hope that this information can also be useful for development of other scaffold protein-based imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Hofstrom
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tolmachev V, Altai M, Sandström M, Perols A, Karlström AE, Boschetti F, Orlova A. Evaluation of a maleimido derivative of NOTA for site-specific labeling of affibody molecules. Bioconjug Chem 2011; 22:894-902. [PMID: 21443270 DOI: 10.1021/bc100470x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Radionuclide molecular imaging has the potential to improve cancer treatment by selection of patients for targeted therapy. Affibody molecules are a class of small (7 kDa) high-affinity targeting proteins with appreciable potential as molecular imaging probes. The NOTA chelator forms stable complexes with a number of radionuclides suitable for SPECT or PET imaging. A maleimidoethylmonoamide NOTA (MMA-NOTA) has been prepared for site-specific labeling of Affibody molecules having a unique C-terminal cysteine. Coupling of the MMA-NOTA to the anti-HER2 Affibody molecule Z(HER2:2395) resulted in a conjugate with an affinity (dissociation constant) to HER2 of 72 pM. Labeling of [MMA-NOTA-Cys(61)]-Z(HER2:2395) with (111)In gave a yield of >95% after 20 min at 60 °C. In vitro cell tests demonstrated specific binding of [(111)In-MMA-NOTA-Cys(61)]-Z(HER2:2395) to HER2-expressing cell lines. In mice bearing prostate cancer DU-145 xenografts, the tumor uptake of [(111)In-MMA-NOTA-Cys(61)]-Z(HER2:2395) was 8.2 ± 0.9% IA/g and the tumor-to-blood ratio was 31 ± 1 (4 h postinjection). DU-145 xenografts were clearly visualized by a gamma camera. Direct in vivo comparison of [(111)In-MMA-NOTA-Cys(61)]-Z(HER2:2395) and [(111)In-MMA-DOTA-Cys(61)]-Z(HER2:2395) demonstrated that both conjugates provided equal radioactivity uptake in tumors, but the tumor-to-organ ratios were better for [(111)In-MMA-NOTA-Cys(61)]-Z(HER2:2395) due to more efficient clearance from normal tissues. In conclusion, coupling of MMA-NOTA to a cysteine-containing Affibody molecule resulted in a site-specifically labeled conjugate, which retains high affinity, can be efficiently labeled, and allows for high-contrast imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Tolmachev
- Unit of Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Schulhof O, Riesz E, Richter A, Bakos L, Altai M, Kispál M. [Experience in the treatment of degenerative joint diseases with a cartilage-bone marrow extract]. Z Gesamte Inn Med 1966; 21:116-20. [PMID: 4860863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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46
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Altai M, Bakos L, Kispál M, Richter A, Reisz E, Schulhof O. [Experiences in the treatment of degenerative joint diseases with cartilage- and bone marrow extracts]. Orv Hetil 1965; 106:2135-8. [PMID: 5851177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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