Expression Profile of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (CD106) in Inflammatory Foci using Rhenium-188 Labelled Monoclonal Antibody in Mice

Rhenium (Re)-188 is a generator (W-188/Re-188) produced high energy β-emitter suitable for radionuclide therapy (T_1/2 is 16.9 hrs and E_max 2.1 MeV (range 11 mm)). We have labelled monoclonal antibody (MAb) raised against vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) with Re-188 using glucoheptonate chelation technique and SnCl₂ as reducing agent. The labelling efficiency, free perrhenate and reduced Re were controlled with thin layer chromatography and the purification of Re-188-MoAbs was performed using gel filtration. Our results indicate that Re-188-labelled antibodies remain in vitro stable and the labelling purity is >90%. We also have applied these Re-188-MoAbs for detection of inflammatory disease in a mouse. The effective half-lives of organs of interest after an injection of Re-188-anti-VCAM1 were as follows: blood 5.2 hr, kidney 4.7 hr, and liver 9.6 hr. Re-188-anti-VCAM-1 was found to accumulate mainly in kidney and liver. One hour after the injection, the kidney contained in average as high as 12.5% and the liver 2.8 ID/g tissue. After 6 hr, the kidney contained 5.5% ID/g and the liver 2.6% ID/g. At 24 hr, the kidney uptake was 0.5% ID/g and the liver uptake 0.8 % ID/g, respectively. The inflamed foci, subcutaneous lesions in the footpad skin, were visualized using gamma camera. From the distribution data the upakes in the inflamed foci as follows: at 1 hr 2.18 (inflammation) and 1.72% ID/g (control), at 6 hr 1.42 (inflammation) and 0.85% ID/g (control), and at 24 hr 0.17 (inflammation) and 0.084% ID/g (control), respectively. Anti-VCAM-1 MAb showed better targeting as compared to control MoAbs in inflammation (caused by E. coli lipoplysaccaride). In conclusion, Re-188 is suitable for MAb labelling, and MAb against VCAM-1 may be used for detection of local inflammatory disease.     

In vitro and in vivo characterization of three 68Ga- and 111 In-labeled peptides for cholecystokinin receptor imaging

Cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors are overexpressed in several human tumor types, such as medullary thyroid carcinomas and small cell lung cancers. Several ligands for the CCK2 receptor (CCK2R) have been developed for radionuclide targeting of these tumors. In this study, we evaluated whether radiolabeled DOTA-sCCK8 and its stabilized derivative, DOTA-sCCK8[Phe(2)(p-CH2SO3H), Nle(3,6)], are suitable for imaging of CCK2R-positive tumors, using DOTA-MG0 as a reference. In vivo targeting of CCK2R-positive tumors with DOTA-sCCK8, DOTA-sCCK8[Phe(2)(p-CH2SO3H), Nle(3,6)], and DOTA-MG0, labeled with (111)In or (68)Ga, was evaluated in BALB/c nude mice with a subcutaneous A431-CCK2R tumor. Biodistribution studies and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) were performed at 1 hour postinjection. All peptides specifically accreted in the CCK2R-expressing tumors. Both (111)In-DOTA-sCCK8 and (111)In-DOTA-sCCK8[Phe(2)(p-CH2SO3H), Nle(3,6)] showed good tumor retention (4.65% ID/g and 5.44% ID/g, respectively, at 4 hours postinjection). On PET/computed tomographic (CT) and SPECT/CT scans, subcutaneous A431-CCK2R tumors were clearly visualized with low uptake of sCCK8 peptides in the intestines. Whereas radiolabeled DOTA-MG0 showed high kidney uptake (70% ID/g), the sCCK8 peptides showed low uptake in the kidneys. Sulfated CCK8 analogues combined high tumor uptake with low retention in the kidney and are therefore promising tracers for imaging of CCK2R-positive tumors.     

Evaluation of the human melanoma targeting properties of radiolabeled alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone peptide analogues

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the human MC1 receptor-mediated melanoma targeting properties of two metal cyclized alpha-MSH peptide analogues, (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH and (188)Re-CCMSH. Initially, the presence and density of the MC1 receptor were determined on a bank of human melanoma cell lines. All eight human melanoma cell lines tested in this study displayed the MC1 receptor at a density of 900 to 5700 receptors per cell. Receptor affinity and biodistribution properties of (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH and (188)Re-CCMSH were evaluated in a cultured TXM13 human melanoma-xenografted Scid mouse model. Biodistribution results demonstrated that 3.06 +/- 0.68 %ID/g of (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH accumulated in the tumors 1 h postinjection and greater than 65% of the activity at 1 h postinjection remained in the tumors at 4 h after dose administration. Whole body clearance of (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH was very rapid, with approximately 82% of injected dose cleared through urinary system at 4 h postinjection. There was very little activity in blood and major organs such as liver, lung, and muscle except for the kidney. (188)Re-CCMSH exhibited similar tumor uptake and retention in TXM13 human melanoma-xenografted Scid mice as (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH. However, the kidney uptake value of (188)Re-CCMSH was two times higher than that of (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH. The results of this study indicate that the MC1 receptor is present on the surface of a large number of human melanoma cells, which makes the MC1 receptor a good imaging or therapeutic target. Moreover, the biodistribution properties of (188)Re-(Arg(11))CCMSH and (188)Re-CCMSH highlight their potential as therapeutic agents for human melanoma.     

111In-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone peptide analogues for melanoma imaging

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the lactam bridge cyclization on melanoma targeting and biodistribution properties of the radiolabeled conjugates. Two novel lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide analogues, DOTA-CycMSH (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp]) and DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH (DOTA-Gly-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp]), were synthesized and radiolabeled with (111)In. The internalization and efflux of (111)In-labeled CycMSH peptides were examined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The melanoma targeting properties, pharmacokinetics, and SPECT/CT imaging of (111)In-labeled CycMSH peptides were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. Both (111)In-DOTA-CycMSH and (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited fast internalization and extended retention in B16/F1 cells. The tumor uptake values of (111)In-DOTA-CycMSH and (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH were 9.53+/-1.41% injected dose/gram (% ID/g) and 10.40+/-1.40% ID/g at 2 h postinjection, respectively. Flank melanoma tumors were clearly visualized with (111)In-DOTA-CycMSH and (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH by SPECT/CT images at 2 h postinjection. Whole-body clearance of the peptides was fast, with greater than 90% of the radioactivities cleared through urinary system by 2 h postinjection. There was low radioactivity (<0.8% ID/g) accumulated in blood and normal organs except kidneys at all time points investigated. Introduction of a negatively charged linker (-Gly-Glu-) into the peptide sequence decreased the renal uptake by 44% without affecting the tumor uptake at 4 h postinjection. High receptor-mediated melanoma uptakes coupled with fast whole-body clearance in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice demonstrated the feasibility of using (111)In-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide analogues as a novel class of imaging probes for receptor-targeting melanoma imaging.     

64Cu-labeled alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog for microPET imaging of melanocortin 1 receptor expression

The alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) receptor (melanocortin type 1 receptor, or MC1R) plays an important role in the development and growth of melanoma cells. It was found that MC1R was overexpressed on most murine and human melanoma, making it a promising molecular target for melanoma imaging and therapy. Radiolabeled alpha-MSH peptide and its analogs that can specifically bind with MC1R have been extensively explored for developing novel agents for melanoma detection and radionuclide therapy. The goal of this study was to evaluate a 64Cu-labeled alpha-MSH analog, Ac-Nle-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys(DOTA)-NH2 (DOTA-NAPamide), as a potential molecular probe for microPET imaging of melanoma and MC1R expression in melanoma xenografted mouse models. 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) conjugated NAPamide was synthesized and radiolabeled with 64Cu (t1/2=12 h) in NH4OAc (0.1 M; pH 5.5) buffered solution for 60 min at 50 degrees C. Cell culture studies reveal rapid and high uptake and internalization of 64Cu-DOTA-NAPamide in B16F10 cells. Over 90% of receptor-bound tracer is internalized at 3 h incubation. A cellular retention study demonstrates that the receptor-bound 64Cu-DOTA-NAPamide is slowly released from the B16F10 cells into the medium; 66% of the radioactivity is still associated with the cells even after 3 h incubation. The biodistribution of 64Cu-DOTA-NAPamide was then investigated in C57BL/6 mice bearing subcutaneous murine B16F10 melanoma tumors with high capacity of MC1R and Fox Chase Scid mice bearing human A375M melanoma with a relatively low number of MC1R receptors. Tumor uptake values of 64Cu-DOTA-NAPamide are found to be 4.63 +/- 0.45% and 2.49 +/- 0.31% ID/g in B16F10 and A375M xenografted melanoma at 2 h postinjection (pi), respectively. The B16F10 tumor uptake at 2 h pi is further inhibited to 2.29 +/- 0.24% ID/g, while A375M tumor uptake at 2 h pi remains 2.20 +/- 0.41% ID/g with a coinjection of excess alpha-MSH peptide. MicroPET imaging of 64Cu-DOTA-NAPamide in B16F10 tumor mice clearly shows good tumor localization. However, low A375M tumor uptake and poor tumor to normal tissue contrast were observed. This study demonstrates that 64Cu-DOTA-NAPamide is a promising molecular probe for alpha-MSH receptor positive melanoma PET imaging as well as MC1R expression imaging in living mice.     

Theranostic Studies of Human Sodium Iodide Symporter Imaging and Therapy Using 188Re: A Human Glioma Study in Mice

Objective

To investigate the role of ¹⁸⁸Re in human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) theranostic gene-mediated human glioma imaging and therapy in model mice.

Methods

The human glioma cell line U87 was transfected with recombinant lentivirus encoding the hNIS gene under the control of cytomegalovirus promoter (U87-hNIS). The uptake and efflux of ¹⁸⁸Re were determined after incubating the cells with ¹⁸⁸Re. ¹⁸⁸Re uptake experiments in the presence of various concentrations of sodium perchlorate were carried out. In vitro cell killing tests with ¹⁸⁸Re were performed. U87-hNIS mediated ¹⁸⁸Re distribution, imaging and therapy in nude mice were also tested.

Results

U87-hNIS cell line was successfully established. The uptake of ¹⁸⁸Re in U87-hNIS cells increased up to 26-fold compared to control cells, but was released rapidly with a half-life of approximately 4 minutes. Sodium perchlorate reduced hNIS-mediated ¹⁸⁸Re uptake to levels of control cell lines. U87-hNIS cells were selectively killed following exposure to ¹⁸⁸Re, with a survival of 21.4%, while control cells had a survival of 92.1%. Unlike in vitro studies, U87-hNIS tumor showed a markedly increased ¹⁸⁸Re retention even 48 hours after ¹⁸⁸Re injection. In the therapy study, there was a significant difference in tumor size between U87-hNIS mice (317±67 mm³) and control mice (861±153 mm³) treated with ¹⁸⁸Re for 4 weeks (P<0.01).

Conclusion

The results indicate that inserting the hNIS gene into U87 cells is sufficient to induce specific ¹⁸⁸Re uptake, which has a cell killing effect both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our study, based on the function of hNIS as a theranostic gene allowing noninvasive imaging of hNIS expression by ¹⁸⁸Re scintigraphy, provides detailed characterization of in vivo vector biodistribution and level, localization, essential prerequisites for precise planning and monitoring of clinical gene therapy that aims to individualize gene therapy concept.     

温敏型壳聚糖介入核素188Re内照射抗小鼠移植性肝癌（H22）

目的研究温敏型壳聚糖（chitonsan CS）介入核素188Re内照射对小鼠移植性肝癌（H22）的抑制作用。方法建立小鼠肝癌（H22）模型后随机分成7组,即模型对照组、188Re（0.1mCi）组、188Re-S（0.1mCi）组、188Re＋CS（0.1mCi）组、188 Re＋CS（0.2mCi）组、188 Re＋硫胶体＋壳聚糖（188 Re-S＋CS 0.1mCi）组和188 Re-S＋CS（0.2mCi）组。各组动物瘤内分别注射相应试药,测定肿瘤抑制率。结果 188Re＋CS组和188Re-S＋CS组肿瘤生长速度减慢,肿瘤生长延迟,肿瘤抑制率在治疗后6 d最高,抑制率分别为67.35%和67.81%。结论温敏型壳聚糖介入核素188Re内照射对小鼠肝癌（H22）具有一定的抑制作用。     

177Lu–DO3A–HSA–ZEGFR:1907: characterization as a potential radiopharmaceutical for radionuclide therapy of EGFR-expressing head and neck carcinomas

Epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR) is an attractive target for radionuclide therapy of head and neck carcinomas. Affibody molecules against EGFR (Z(EGFR)) show excellent tumor localizations in imaging studies. However, one major drawback is that radiometal-labeled Affibody molecules display extremely high uptakes in the radiosensitive kidneys which may impact their use as radiotherapeutic agents. The purpose of this study is to further explore whether radiometal-labeled human serum albumin (HSA)-Z(EFGR) bioconjugates display desirable profiles for the use in radionuclide therapy of EGFR-positive head and neck carcinomas. The Z(EFGR) analog, Ac-Cys-Z(EGFR:1907), was site-specifically conjugated with HSA. The resulting bioconjugate 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A)-HSA-Z(EGFR:1907) was then radiolabeled with either (64)Cu or (177)Lu and subjected to in vitro cell uptake and internalization studies using the human oral squamous carcinoma cell line SAS. Positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and biodistribution studies were conducted using SAS-tumor-bearing mice. Cell studies revealed a high (8.43 ± 0.55 % at 4 h) and specific (0.95 ± 0.09 % at 4 h) uptake of (177)Lu-DO3A-HSA-Z(EGFR:1907) as determined by blocking with nonradioactive Z(EGFR:1907). The internalization of (177)Lu-DO3A-HSA-Z(EGFR:1907) was verified in vitro and found to be significantly higher than that of (177)Lu-labeled Z(EFGR) at 2-24 h of incubation. PET and SPECT studies showed good tumor imaging contrasts. The biodistribution of (177)Lu-DO3A-HSA-Z(EGFR:1907) in SAS-tumor-bearing mice displayed high tumor uptake (5.1 ± 0.44 % ID/g) and liver uptake (31.5 ± 7.66 % ID/g) and moderate kidney uptake (8.5 ± 1.08 % ID/g) at 72 h after injection. (177)Lu-DO3A-HSA-Z(EGFR:1907) shows promising in vivo profiles and may be a potential radiopharmaceutical for radionuclide therapy of EGFR-expressing head and neck carcinomas.     

Design,synthesis, and comparative evaluation of 99mTc(CO)3‐labeled N‐terminal and C‐terminal modified asparagine–glycine–arginine peptide constructs

The present study describes modification of asparagine–glycine–arginine (NGR) peptide at N‐terminally and C‐terminally by introduction of a tridentate chelating scaffold via click chemistry reaction. The N‐terminal and C‐terminal modified peptides were radiometalated with [^99mTc(CO)₃]⁺ precursor. The influence of these moieties at the two termini on the targeting properties of NGR peptide was determined by in vitro cell uptake studies and in vivo biodistribution studies. The two radiolabeled constructs did not exhibit any significant variation in uptake in murine melanoma B16F10 cells during in vitro studies. In vivo studies revealed nearly similar tumor uptake of N‐terminally modified peptide construct 5 and C‐terminally construct 6 at 2 h p.i. (1.9 ± 0.1 vs 2.4 ± 0.2% ID/g, respectively). The tumor‐to‐blood (T/B) and tumor‐to‐liver (T/L) ratios of the two radiometalated peptides were also quite similar. The two constructs cleared from all the major organs (heart, lungs, spleen, stomach, and blood) at 4 h p.i. (<1% ID/g). Blocking studies carried out by coinjection of cCNGRC peptide led to approximately 50% reduction in the tumor uptake at 2 h p.i. This work thus illustrates the possibility of convenient modification/radiometalation of NGR peptide at either N‐ or C‐terminus without hampering tumor targeting and pharmacokinetics.     

Experimental pretargeting studies of cancer with a humanized anti-CEA x murine anti-[In-DTPA] bispecific antibody construct and a (99m)Tc-/(188)Re-labeled peptide

The aim of this study was to localize (99m)Tc and (188)Re radionuclides to tumors, using a bispecific antibody (bsMAb) in a two-step approach where the radionuclides are attached to novel peptides incorporating moieties recognized by one arm of the bsMAb. A chemically cross-linked human/murine bsMAb, hMN-14 x 734 (Fab' x Fab'), anti-carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] x anti-indium-DTPA was prepared as a prelude to constructing a fully humanized bsMAb for future clinical application. N,N'-o-Phenylenedimaleimide was used to cross-link the Fab' fragments of the two antibodies at their hinge regions. This construct was shown to be >92% pure and fully reactive with CEA and a divalent (indium)DTPA-peptide. For pretargeting purposes, a peptide, IMP-192 [Ac-Lys(In-DTPA)-Tyr-Lys(In-DTPA)-Lys(TscG-Cys-)-NH(2) ?TscG = 3-thiosemicarbazonylglyoxyl?], with two indium-DTPAs and a chelate for selectively binding (99m)Tc or (188)Re, was synthesized. IMP-192 was formulated in a "single dose" kit and later radiolabeled with (99m)Tc (94-99%) at up to 1836 Ci/mmol and with (188)Re (97%) at 459-945 Ci/mmol of peptide. [(99m)Tc]IMP-192 was shown to be stable by extensive in vitro and in vivo testing and had no specific uptake in the tumor with minimal renal uptake. The biodistribution of the hMN-14 x murine 734 bsMAb was compared alone and in a pretargeting setting to a fully murine anti-CEA (F6) x 734 bsMAb that was reported previously [Gautherot, E., Bouhou, J., LeDoussal, J.-M., Manetti, C., Martin, M., Rouvier, E., and Barbet, J. (1997) Therapy for colon carcinoma xenografts with bispecific antibody-targeted, iodine-131-labeled bivalent hapten. Cancer 80 (Suppl.), 2618-2623]. Both bsMAbs maintained their integrity and dual binding specificity in vivo, but the hMN-14 x m734 was cleared more rapidly from the blood. This coincided with an increased uptake of the hMN-14 x m734 bsMAb in the liver and spleen, suggesting an active reticuloendothelial cell recognition mechanism of this mixed species construct in naive mice. Animals bearing GW-39 human colonic cancer xenografts were injected with bsMAb (15 microg) and after allowing 24 or 72 h for the bsMAb constructs to clear from the blood (hMN-14 and murine F6 x 734, respectively), [(188)Re]IMP-192 (7 microCi) or [(99m)Tc]IMP-192 (10 microCi) was injected at a bsMAb:peptide ratio of 10:1. Tumor uptake of [(99m)Tc] or [(188)Re]IMP-192 was 12.6 +/- 5.2 and 16.9 +/- 5.5% ID/g at 3 h postinjection, respectively. Tumor/nontumor ratios were between 5.6 and 23 to 1 for every major organ, indicating that early imaging with (99m)Tc will be possible. Radiation absorbed doses showed a 4.8-, 7.2-, and a 12.6 to 1.0 tumor to blood, kidney, and liver ratios when (188)Re was used. Although this new bsMAb pretargeting approach requires further optimization, it already shows very promising targeting results for both radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy of colorectal cancer.     

Anti-melanoma efficacy of internal radionuclide therapy in relation to melanin target distribution

Targeted internal radionuclide therapy (TRT) could be an efficient, specific way to treat disseminated melanoma. Based on a previous pharmacomodulation study, we selected a quinoxaline-derived molecule (ICF01012) for its melanin specificity and kinetic properties suitable for TRT. Here, we determined the efficacy of [¹³¹I]ICF01012 radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo in relation to melanogenesis using human melanoma models. [¹²⁵I]ICF01012 uptake was first assessed in relation to melanin content. We found that melanin distribution in different models was representative of pathology seen in human tumours: melanin content was high in the extracellular space of SKMel3 tumours, and accumulated primarily in melanophages in M4Beu tumours. Targeted [¹³¹I]ICF01012 radiotherapy had a strong anti-tumoural efficacy in pigmented versus unpigmented tumours, regardless of target distribution and content. This study supports the use of melanin targeting with ¹³¹I-labelled iodoquinoxaline for effective treatment of melanoma.     

In vitro and in vivo tumor growth inhibition by a p16-mimicking peptide in p16INK4A-defective, pRb-positive human melanoma cells

The cell cycle regulatory pathway responsible for the control of the late-G1 checkpoint is found recurrently altered in human malignant melanoma, often due to lack of functional p16 or pRb (pRb-1) proteins. Here we examined the ability of p16-derived peptides to mimic p16 function in two exemplary human melanoma cell lines: the p16-defective, pRb-positive A375M cells and p16-positive, pRb-defective A2058 cells. The synthetic p16-mimicking peptides strongly induced apoptosis in p16-, pRb+ A375M cells in vitro, while they had significantly less activity on p16+, pRb- A2058 cells. The most active p16-mimicking peptide, p16-AP9, also potently inhibited in vivo growth of the A375M melanoma. Treated tumors showed a threefold smaller volume (P < 0.025) and a significant reduction of the mitotic index and of PCNA expression. Growth of A2058 cells in vivo was not affected by treatment with the p16-mimicking peptide. Our results demonstrate that p16-mimicking peptides can induce apoptosis in vitro and that can inhibit tumor growth in vivo in p16-defective, pRb-expressing human melanoma cells, suggesting that p16-mimicking peptides can represent a promising tool for targeted therapy in selected cancer phenotypes.     

Toward Developing a Universal Treatment for Fungal Disease Using Radioimmunotherapy Targeting Common Fungal Antigens

Background

Previously, we demonstrated the ability of radiolabeled antibodies recognizing the cryptococcal polysaccharide capsule to kill Cryptococcus neoformans both in vitro and in infected mice. This approach, known as radioimmunotherapy (RIT), uses the exquisite ability of antibodies to bind antigens to deliver microbicidal radiation. To create RIT reagents which would be efficacious against all major medically important fungi, we have selected monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to common surface fungal antigens such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), which is found on the surface of diverse fungi; beta (1,3)-glucan, which is a major constituent of fungal cell walls; ceramide which is found at the cell surface, and melanin, a polymer present in the fungal cell wall.

Methods

MAbs 4E12, an IgG2a to fungal HSP60; 2G8, an IgG2b to beta-(1,3)-glucan; and 6D2, an IgM to melanin, were labeled with the alpha particle emitting radionuclide 213-Bismuth (²¹³Bi) using the chelator CHXA”. B11, an IgM antibody to glucosylceramide, was labeled with the beta emitter 188-Rhenium (¹⁸⁸Re). Model organisms Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans were used to assess the cytotoxicity of these compounds after exposure to either radiolabeled mAbs or controls.

Results

²¹³Bi-mAbs to HSP60 and to the beta-(1,3)-glucan each reduced the viability of both fungi by 80–100%. The ²¹³Bi-6D2 mAb to melanin killed 22% of C. neoformans, but did not kill C. albicans. B11 mAb against fungal ceramide was effective against wild-type C. neoformans, but was unable to kill a mutant lacking the ceramide target. Unlabeled mAbs and radiolabeled irrelevant control mAbs caused no killing.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that it is feasible to develop RIT against fungal pathogens by targeting common antigens and such an approach could be developed against fungal diseases for which existing therapy is unsatisfactory.

     

Biodistribution and radioimmunotherapy of human breast cancer xenografts with radiometal-labeled DOTA conjugated anti-HER2/neu antibody 4D5

HER2/neu oncogene encodes a 185 kDa trans-membrane protein which is overexpressed in 20-30% of breast and ovarian cancers and portends a poor prognosis. We have studied the targeting and therapy of this oncoprotein with 4D5, a murine monoclonal antibody which recognizes a distinct epitope on the extracelluar domain of HER2/neu. We conjugated the antibody with an active ester of the macrocyclic chelating agent DOTA, radiolabeled the conjugate with either (111)In or (90)Y, and studied the antibody distribution and therapy, respectively, in athymic mice bearing xenografts of MCF7/HER2/neu, a human breast cancer cell line transfected with the HER2/neu oncogene. For the biodistribution of (111)In-labeled DOTA-4D5, a high specificity of tumor localization (30% ID/g) was seen with a tumor-to-blood ratio of greater than 2 at 48 h postinjection. Compared to a previously published study with (125)I-labeled 4D5 in beige nude mice bearing NIH3T3/HER2/neu xenografts [De Santes et al. (1992) Cancer Res. 52, 1916-1923], (111)In-labeled 4D5 antibody gave superior antibody uptake in tumor (30% ID/g vs 17% ID/g at 48h). In the therapy study, treatment of the nude mice bearing MCF7/HER2/neu xenografts with 100 microCi (3 microg) of (90)Y-labeled DOTA-4D5 caused a 3-fold reduction of tumor growth compared to untreated controls (injected with human serum albumin) in 40 days. Treatment of animals with 100 microCi of nonspecific antibody (90)Y-labeled DOTA-Leu16 (3 microg) had no tumor growth inhibition. Treatment with unlabeled DOTA-4D5 (3 microg) had a slight effect on tumor growth compared to untreated controls. When analyzed at the level of single animals, no effect was seen in seven of nine animals; however, in two of the animals, tumor growth inhibition was observed. Although a cold antibody therapeutic effect was unexpected at this dose level (3 microg), it may be possible that in some animals that 3 microg of antibody of (90)Y-labeled DOTA-4D5 augmented tumor growth reduction. To further explore the effects of cold antibody treatment alone, animals were treated with 100 or 400 microg of unlabeled 4D5 administered in two doses. These animals showed a 1.7-1.8-fold reduction in tumor growth over 28 days, a result less than that obtained with RIT only.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel (68)Ga-labeled DOTA-benzamide derivative for malignant melanoma imaging

Malignant melanoma displays a highly aggressive metastasis. Thus, early diagnosis of malignant melanoma is important for patient survival. We designed and synthesized a novel (68)Ga-labeled benzamide derivative that specifically binds to melanoma as demonstrated by its ability to bind to melanin. (68)Ga-SCN-DOTA-PCA was synthesized with a radiochemical yield of ～80% and a radiochemical purity of >97% by analytical HPLC. The in vitro binding of (68)Ga-SCN-DOTA-PCA to melanin and its cellular uptake demonstrated the selective uptake in melanin. In addition, the biodistribution and micro-PET imaging of (68)Ga-SCN-DOTA-PCA in B16F10 tumor models showed the specific accumulation in melanoma. These results suggest that (68)Ga-SCN-DOTA-PCA would be a promising agent for melanoma diagnosis.     

Substitution of Gly with Ala enhanced the melanoma uptake of technetium-99m-labeled Arg-Ala-Asp-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone peptide

The purpose of this study was to determine the melanoma targeting property of (99m)Tc-RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice and compare with (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH we previously reported. (99m)Tc-RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH exhibited rapid and high tumor uptake (19.91±4.02% ID/g at 2h post-injection) in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. The tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was 1.51, 1.34 and 1.43 times the tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH at 0.5, 2 and 4h post-injection, respectively. Flank B16/F1 melanoma lesions were clearly imaged at 2h post-injection using (99m)Tc-RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH as an imaging probe. The substitution of Gly with Ala significantly enhanced the melanoma uptake of (99m)Tc-RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH compared to (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice, providing a new insight into the design of α-MSH peptides for melanoma targeting.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of [188Re]organorhenium-labeled antibody fragments with renal enzyme-cleavable linkage for low renal radioactivity levels

Renal localization of radiolabeled antibody fragments constitutes a problem in targeted imaging and radiotherapy. We have reported that Fab fragments labeled with 3'-[131I]iodohippuryl Nepsilon-maleoyl-lysine (HML) showed markedly low renal radioactivity levels even shortly after injection, due to a rapid and selective release of m-[131I]iodohippuric acid by the action of brush border enzymes. To estimate the applicability of the molecular design to metallic radionuclides, [188Re]tricarbonyl(cyclopentadienylcarbonate)rhenium ([188Re]CpTR-COOH) was conjugated with Nepsilon-tert-butoxycarbonyl-glycyl-lysine or Nepsilon-maleoyl-glycyl-lysine to prepare [188Re]CpTR-GK-Boc or [188Re]CpTR-GK. The cleavage of the glycyl-lysine linkage of the two compounds generates a glycine conjugate of [188Re]CpTR-COOH ([188Re]CpTR-Gly), which possesses in vivo behaviors similar to those of m-iodohippuric acid. The hydrolysis rate of the peptide bond in [188Re]CpTR-GK-Boc was compared with that in 3'-[125I]iodohippuryl Nepsilon-Boc-lysine ([125I]HL-Boc) using brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) prepared from rat kidneys. [188Re]CpTR-GK was conjugated to thiolated Fab fragments to prepare [188Re]CpTR-GK-Fab. The biodistribution of radioactivity after injection of [188Re]CpTR-GK-Fab was compared with that of [125I]HML-Fab and [188Re]CpTR-Fab prepared by conjugating N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of [188Re]CpTR-COOH with antibody fragments. While [188Re]CpTR-GK-Boc liberated [188Re]CpTR-Gly in BBMVs, [125I]HL-Boc liberated m-[125I]iodohippuric acid at a much faster rate. In addition, although [125I]HL-Boc was hydrolyzed by both metalloenzymes and nonmetalloenzymes, metalloenzymes were responsible for the cleavage of the peptide linkage in [188Re]CpTR-GK-Boc. In biodistribution studies, [188Re]CpTR-GK-Fab exhibited significantly lower renal radioactivity levels than did [188Re]CpTR-Fab. However, the renal radioactivity levels of [188Re]CpTR-GK-Fab were slightly higher than those of [125I]HML-Fab. The analysis of urine samples collected for 6 h postinjection of [188Re]CpTR-GK-Fab showed that [188Re]CpTR-Gly was the major radiometabolite. In tumor-bearing mice, [188Re]CpTR-GK-Fab significantly reduced renal radioactivity levels without impairing the radioactivity levels in tumor. These findings indicate that the molecular design of HML can be applied to metallic radionuclides by using a radiometal chelate of high inertness and by designing a radiometabolite of high urinary excretion when released from antibody fragments following cleavage of a glycyl-lysine linkage. This study also indicates that a change in chemical structure of a radiolabel attached to a glycyl-lysine linkage significantly affected enzymes involved in the hydrolysis reaction. Since there are many kinds of enzymes that cleave a variety of peptide linkages on the renal brush border membrane, selection of a peptide linkage optimal to a radiometal chelate of interest may provide radiolabeled antibody fragments that exhibit renal radioactivity levels similar to those of [131I]HML-labeled ones. The in vitro system using BBMVs might be useful for selecting an appropriate peptide linkage.     

Uptake of three [3H]progestins by target tissues in vivo: Implications for the design of diagnostic imaging agents

We have investigated the tissue distribution of radioactivity for 0.5–4 h follwing the i.v. injection of three tritium-labeled progestins in estrogen-primed, immature rats. Whereas [³H]progesterone shows minimal uterine uptake (<0.7% injected dose per gram; %ID/g), the two higher affinity, synthetic progestins [³H]R 5020 (promegestrone) and [³H]ORG 2058 show highly selective uptake that reaches 4–5% ID/g by 1–3 h. The uterus to non-target tissue activity ratio at 2–4 h is approximately 12–20 for R 5020 and ORG 2058, but less than 2 for progesterone; the uterus to blood activity ratio for R 5020 is also high (approximately 15), but is lower for ORG 2058, possibly due to the accumulation of radiolabeled metabolites in the blood. The uterine uptake is selectively blocked by simultaneous injection of a large dose of unlabeled steroid, indicating that the uptake is mediated by a high affinity, low capacity binding system, presumably the progesterone receptor. Pronounced uptake is also observed by the liver and into fat, but is not receptor-mediated. The highly selective target tissue uptake by the two synthetic steroids, but not by progesterone, indicates that one must have ligands with sufficiently high affinity for the target tissue receptor, as well as low affinity for certain non-receptor binding proteins, in order to obtain adequate contrast between target and non-target tissues in dynamic uptake studies. These guidelines will be important in the development of suitable in vivo imaging agents based on the progesterone receptor.     

Experimental Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Melanoma: Systemic Delivery of Boron to Melanotic and Amelanotic Melanoma

The boron-containing melanin precursor analogue p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) has previously been shown to selectively deliver boron to pigmented murine melanomas when administered in a single intragastric dose. If boron neutron capture therapy is to become a clinically useful method of radiation therapy for human malignant melanoma, the boron carrier must be capable of delivering useful amounts of boron to remote tumor sites (metastases) and to poorly pigmented melanomas. We have now determined the ability of BPA to accumulate in several nonpigmented melanoma models including human melanoma xenografts in nude mice. The absolute amount of boron in the nonpigmented melanomas was about 50% of that observed in the pigmented counterparts but was still selectively concentrated in the tumor relative to normal tissues in amounts sufficient for effective neutron capture therapy. Single intragastric doses of BPA resulted in selective localization of boron in the amelanotic Greene melanoma carried in the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye and in a pigmented murine melanoma growing in the lungs. The ratio of the boron concentration in these tumors to the boron concentration in the immediately adjacent normal tissue was in the range of 3:1 to 4:1. These distribution studies support the proposal that boron neutron capture therapy may be useful as a regional therapy for malignant melanoma.