Potential of three-step pretargeting radioimmunotherapy using biotinylated bevacizumab and succinylated streptavidin in triple-negative breast cancer xenograft.

OBJECTIVE: Pretargeting radioimmunotherapy (PRIT) is a promising approach that can reduce long-time retention of blood radioactivity and consequently reduce hematotoxicity. Among the PRIT strategies, the combination of biotin-conjugated mAb and radiolabeled streptavidin (StAv) is a simple and convenient method because of its ease of preparation. This study performed three-step (3-step) PRIT using the sequential injection of (1) biotinylated bevacizumab (Bt-BV), (2) avidin, and (3) radiolabeled StAv for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: Four biodistribution studies were performed using 111In in tumor-bearing mice to optimize each step of our PRIT methods. Further, a therapeutic study was performed with optimized 3-step PRIT using 90Y-labeled StAv. RESULTS: Based on the biodistribution studies, the protein dose of Bt-BV and avidin was optimized to 100 µg and 10 molar equivalent of BV, respectively. Succinylation of StAv significantly decreased the kidney accumulation level (with succinylation (6.96 ± 0.91) vs without succinylation (20.60 ± 1.47) at 1 h after injection, p < 0.0001) with little effect on the tumor accumulation level. In the therapeutic study, tumor growth was significantly suppressed in treatment groups with optimized 3-step PRIT using 90Y-labeled succinylated StAv compared to that of the no-treatment group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 3-step PRIT strategy of this study achieved fast blood clearance and low kidney uptake with little effect on the tumor accumulation level, and a certain degree of therapeutic effect was consequently observed. These results indicated that the pretargeting treatment of the current study may be effective for human TNBC treatment.

Intracellular trafficking and exocytosis of a multi-component siRNA nanocomplex.

Despite the importance of siRNA delivery systems, understanding of their intracellular fate remains elusive. We recently developed a multi-component siRNA nanocomplex to deliver siRNA to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The objective of this study is to study post-internalization trafficking of this siRNA nanocomplex and its multiple components like siRNA, protamine, and streptavidin, in HSCs. After internalization, the nanocomplex entrapped in early endosomes undergoes three possible routes including endosomal escape, exocytosis, and entrapment in lysosomes. Significant amount of siRNA dissociates from the nanocomplex to exert silencing activity. After escaping from endosomes, protamine dissociates from the nanocomplex and stays inside the cytoplasm. Golgi complex plays an important role in exocytosis of the nanocomplex. We also demonstrate that exocytosis is one of the major reasons accounting for the transient silencing activity of nonviral siRNA delivery. Incorporation of exocytosis inhibitors in nonviral siRNA delivery systems may extend the silencing activity of siRNA.

Metal-Chelating Polymers (MCPs) with Zwitterionic Pendant Groups Complexed to Trastuzumab Exhibit Decreased Liver Accumulation Compared to Polyanionic MCP Immunoconjugates.

Metal-chelating polymers (MCPs) can amplify the radioactivity delivered to cancer cells by monoclonal antibodies or their Fab fragments. We focus on trastuzumab (tmAb), which is used to target cancer cells that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). We report the synthesis and characterization of a biotin (Bi) end-capped MCP, Bi-PAm(DET-DTPA)36, a polyacrylamide with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) groups attached as monoamides to the polymer backbone by diethylenetriamine (DET) pendant groups. We compared its behavior in vivo and in vitro to a similar MCP with ethylenediamine (EDA) pendant groups (Bi-PAm(EDA-DTPA)40). These polymers were complexed to a streptavidin-modified Fab fragment of tmAb, then labeled with (111)In to specifically deliver multiple copies of (111)In to HER2+ cancer cells. Upon decay, (111)In emits γ-rays that can be used in single-photon emission computed tomography radioimaging, as well as Auger electrons that cause lethal double strand breakage of DNA. Our previous studies in Balb/c mice showed that radioimmunoconjugates (RICs) containing the Bi-PAm(EDA-DTPA)40 polymer had extremely short blood circulation time and high liver uptake and were, thus, unsuitable for in vivo studies. The polymer Bi-PAm(EDA-DTPA)40 carries negative charges on each pendant group at neutral pH and a net charge of (-1) on each pendant group when saturated with stable In(3+). To test our hypothesis that charge associated with the polymer repeat unit is a key factor affecting its biodistribution profile, we examined the biodistribution of RICs containing Bi-PAm(DET-DTPA)36. While this polymer is also negatively charged at neutral pH, it becomes a zwitterionic MCP upon saturation of the DTPA groups with stable In(3+) ions. In both nontumor bearing Balb/c mice and athymic mice implanted with HER2+ SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer tumors, we show that the zwitterionic MCP has improved biodistribution, higher blood levels of radioactivity, lower levels of normal tissue uptake, and higher tumor uptake. Surface plasmon resonance experiments employing the extracellular domain of HER2 show that the MCP immunoconjugates retain high affinity antigen recognition, with dissociation constants in the low nM range. In vitro studies with SKOV-3 cells for both MCP immunoconjugates show a combination of specific binding that can be completed in the presence of excess tmAb IgG and nonspecific binding (NSB) that persists in the presence of tmAb IgG. We conclude that zwitterionic MCPs represent a much better choice than polymers with charges along the backbone for in vivo delivery of RICs to HER2+ cancer cells.

Comparing the intracellular fate of components within a noncovalent streptavidin nanoparticle with covalent conjugation.

INTRODUCTION: Auger radiotherapy requires adequate tumor delivery and high nuclear accumulation and retention. We hypothesize that the noncovalent nature of a streptavidin/biotin three-component nanoparticle possessing these qualities may be required for dissociation of the radiolabeled oligomer and its accumulation into the cell nucleus. METHODS: As a test of our hypothesis, the intracellular fate of an antisense oligomer when incubated as the nanoparticle and when incubated while covalently conjugated to the antibody was compared. The three-component noncovalent nanoparticle consisted of streptavidin linking three biotinylated components: a Cy3-labeled anti-RIα antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino (MORF) oligomer, a tat transfecting peptide and the anti-Her2 herceptin antibody. The covalent constructs included an anti-RIα antisense DNA conjugated to a radiolabeled herceptin and a fluorescent DNA conjugated to native herceptin. Fluorescence microscopy in SK-BR-3 (Her2+) cells was used to evaluate the fate of the fluorescent Cy5.5-DNA and Cy3-MORF, while the subcellular accumulation of the (111)In-labeled herceptin and herceptin-DNA in both SK-BR-3 and MDA-MB-231 (Her2) cells was determined by isolating and counting the nuclear fractions. RESULTS: Previously, we demonstrated that when incubated as the three-component nanoparticle consisting of herceptin and streptavidin and (99m)Tc-labeled antisense MORF, only the MORF accumulated in the nucleus of Her2+ cells. In this investigation, clear evidence was observed of nuclear accumulation of the antisense oligomer within the noncovalent nanoparticle as before, but when incubated as the covalent construct, by both fluorescence microscopy and nuclear counting, no evidence of nuclear accumulation was observed. CONCLUSION: The weaker noncovalent biotin-streptavidin bond may be essential for adequate delivery of the radiolabeled antisense oligomer to the nucleus of tumor cells.

Radiolabeled nano-peptides show specificity for an animal model of human PC3 prostate cancer cells.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer has been investigated using various pre-targeting techniques or models focusing on radiobombesin analogues; however, both are not offered together. In this study, nano-bombesin labeling by a pre-targeting system was undertaken to develop an alternative approach for prostate tumor treatment. METHODS: A two-step pre-targeting system utilizing a combination of streptavidin (SA), biotinylated morpholino (B-MORF), biotinylated BBN (B-BBN) with two different spacers (b-Ala and PEG), and a radiolabeled cMORF was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Final conjugation conditions consisted of a 1:1:2 ratio of SA:B-MORF:B-BBN, followed by addition of 99mTc-cMORF to compensate for free MORF. In vitro binding experiments with prostate cancer cells (PC-3) revealed that total binding was time-dependent for the Ala spacer but not for the PEG spacer. The highest accumulation (5.06 ± 1.98 %) was achieved with 1 hour of incubation, decreasing as time progressed. Specific binding fell to 1.05 ± 0.35 %. The pre-targeting biodistribution in healthy Swiss mice was measured at different time points, with the best responses observed for 7-h and 15-h incubations. The effector, 99mTc-MAG3-cMORF, was administered 2 h later. Strong kidney excretion was always documented. The greatest tumor uptake was 2.58 ± 0.59 %ID/g at 7 h for B-bAla-BBN, with a region of interest (ROI) value of 3.9 % during imaging. The tumor/blood ratio was low due to the slow blood clearance; however, the tumor/muscle ratio was 5.95. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-targeting approach with a peptide was a viable concept. Further evaluation with modified sequences of MORF, including less cytosine, and additional test intervals could be worthwhile.

Radiolabeled nano-peptides show specificity for an animal model of human PC3 prostate cancer cells

OBJECTIVES: Cancer has been investigated using various pre-targeting techniques or models focusing on radiobombesin analogues; however, both are not offered together. In this study, nano-bombesin labeling by a pre-targeting system was undertaken to develop an alternative approach for prostate tumor treatment. METHODS: A two-step pre-targeting system utilizing a combination of streptavidin (SA), biotinylated morpholino (B-MORF), biotinylated BBN (B-BBN) with two different spacers (b-Ala and PEG), and a radiolabeled cMORF was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Final conjugation conditions consisted of a 1:1:2 ratio of SA:B-MORF:B-BBN, followed by addition of 99mTc-cMORF to compensate for free MORF. In vitro binding experiments with prostate cancer cells (PC-3) revealed that total binding was time-dependent for the Ala spacer but not for the PEG spacer. The highest accumulation (5.06 ± 1.98 percent) was achieved with 1 hour of incubation, decreasing as time progressed. Specific binding fell to 1.05 ± 0.35 percent. The pre-targeting biodistribution in healthy Swiss mice was measured at different time points, with the best responses observed for 7-h and 15-h incubations. The effector, 99mTc-MAG3-cMORF, was administered 2 h later. Strong kidney excretion was always documented. The greatest tumor uptake was 2.58 ± 0.59 percentID/g at 7 h for B-bAla-BBN, with a region of interest (ROI) value of 3.9 percent during imaging. The tumor/blood ratio was low due to the slow blood clearance; however, the tumor/muscle ratio was 5.95. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-targeting approach with a peptide was a viable concept. Further evaluation with modified sequences of MORF, including less cytosine, and additional test intervals could be worthwhile.

Controlled release of substances bound to fibrin-anchors or of DNA.

Fibrin sealants have been proposed as depot matrices for substances due to their biocompatibility, advantageous biological properties, and widespread use in wound healing. This study showed possibilities for a continuous and controlled release of pharmaceutically active substances out of a fibrin matrix. Substances of interest were linked to naturally occuring fibrin-anchors, (i) thrombin, (ii) fibronectin, and (iii) DNA. Fibronectin and thrombin bind fibrin by a specific binding moiety and DNA by charge. Fibrin clots were prepared from Tisseel Fibrin Sealant (Baxter AG, Vienna) by mixing 100 mg/ml fibrinogen, the substance of interest, and 4 U/ml of thrombin. Chemical crosslinking of proteins was performed with EDC using standard reaction conditions. Modification of proteins with biotin and PPACK was performed with N-hydroxysuccinimid activated compounds. With fibrin-anchors pharmaceutically active substances, i.e., tumor necrosis factor (TNF), albumin, and plasmid-DNA, were continously released over 10 days. In conclusion, the naturally occuring proteins fibronectin and thrombin with a fibrin binding moiety or DNA can be used as fibrin-anchors.

OXavidin for tissue targeting biotinylated therapeutics.

Avidin is a glycoprotein from hen egg white that binds biotin with very high affinity. Here we describe OXavidin, a product containing aldehyde groups, obtained by ligand-assisted sugar oxidation of avidin by sodium periodate. OXavidin chemically reacts with cellular and tissue proteins through Schiff's base formation thus residing in tissues for weeks while preserving the biotin binding capacity. The long tissue residence of OXavidin as well as that of OXavidin/biotinylated agent complex occurs in normal and neoplastic tissues and immunohistochemistry shows a strong and homogenous stromal localization. Once localized in tissue/tumor, OXavidin becomes an "artificial receptor" for intravenous injected biotin allowing tumor targeting with biotinylated therapeutics like radioisotopes or toxins. Moreover, present data also suggest that OXavidin might be useful for the homing of biotinylated cells. Overall, OXavidin exhibits a remarkable potential for many different therapeutic applications.

Pharmacodynamics of streptavidin-coated cyanoacrylate microbubbles designed for molecular ultrasound imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the pharmacodynamic behavior of cyanoacrylate, streptavidin-coated microbubbles (MBs) and to investigate their suitability for molecular ultrasound imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biodistribution of MBs was analyzed in tumor-bearing mice using gamma-counting, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and ultrasound. Further, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-antibody coupled MBs were used to image tumor neovasculature. RESULTS: After 1 minute >90% of MBs were cleared from the blood and pooled in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Subsequently, within 1 hour a decent reincrease of MB-concentration was observed in the blood. The remaining MBs were removed by liver and spleen macrophages. About 30% of the phagocytosed MBs were intact after 48 hours. Shell fragments were found in the kidneys only. No relevant MB-accumulation was observed in tumors. In contrast, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-specific MBs accumulated significantly within the tumor vasculature (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetic behavior of streptavidin-coated cyanoacrylate MBs has been studied. In this context, the low amount of MBs in tumors after >5 minutes is beneficial for specific targeting of angiogenesis.

Improved tumor targeting and decreased normal tissue accumulation through extracorporeal affinity adsorption in a two-step pretargeting strategy.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the possibilities of reducing the accumulation of radiolabeled streptavidin in radiosensitive organs by extracorporeal affinity adsorption (ECAT). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Rats were injected with biotinylated antibody and subjected to removal of the antibodies from the circulation by ECAT 24 h after injection (avidin column). Animals were then injected with 111In-1,4,7,10-tetra-azacylododecane N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-streptavidin. In a third step, animals were subjected to a second ECAT 8 h after injection to remove the DOTA-streptavidin from the circulation (biotin column). Biodistribution and tumor targeting of DOTA-streptavidin 24 h after injection was determined. RESULTS: Elimination of biotinylated antibody by ECAT before injection of DOTA-streptavidin increased the tumor targeting by 50%. In addition, the levels of DOTA-streptavidin in liver and lymph nodes were reduced by 60%, which implied a 4.3- and 3.8-fold increase of tumor-to-liver and tumor-to-lymph node ratios, respectively. By doing a second ECAT to remove DOTA-streptavidin from the circulation, accumulation in normal tissues was reduced. However, this latter ECAT also reduced tumor accumulation by 25% (mostly corresponding to radioactivity in the circulation). CONCLUSIONS: ECAT was efficient as a means of removing biotinylated antibodies and would probably also be efficient for the clearance of streptavidin-conjugated antibodies. Conversely, the use of ECAT for removal of radiolabeled streptavidin seems not to offer any advantage.

Internalization of novel non-viral vector TAT-streptavidin into human cells.

BACKGROUND: The cell-penetrating peptide derived from the Human immunodeficiency virus-1 transactivator protein Tat possesses the capacity to promote the effective uptake of various cargo molecules across the plasma membrane in vitro and in vivo. The objective of this study was to characterize the uptake and delivery mechanisms of a novel streptavidin fusion construct, TAT47-57-streptavidin (TAT-SA, 60 kD). SA represents a potentially useful TAT-fusion partner due to its ability to perform as a versatile intracellular delivery vector for a wide array of biotinylated molecules or cargoes. RESULTS: By confocal and immunoelectron microscopy the majority of internalized TAT-SA was shown to accumulate in perinuclear vesicles in both cancer and non-cancer cell lines. The uptake studies in living cells with various fluorescent endocytic markers and inhibiting agents suggested that TAT-SA is internalized into cells efficiently, using both clathrin-mediated endocytosis and lipid-raft-mediated macropinocytosis. When endosomal release of TAT-SA was enhanced through the incorporation of a biotinylated, pH-responsive polymer poly(propylacrylic acid) (PPAA), nuclear localization of TAT-SA and TAT-SA bound to biotin was markedly improved. Additionally, no significant cytotoxicity was detected in the TAT-SA constructs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that TAT-SA-PPAA is a potential non-viral vector to be utilized in protein therapeutics to deliver biotinylated molecules both into cytoplasm and nucleus of human cells.

Endocytosis targets exogenous material selectively to cathepsin S in live human dendritic cells, while cell-penetrating peptides mediate nonselective transport to cysteine cathepsins.

The way the MHC II-associated proteolytic system of APC handles exogenous antigen is key to the stimulation of the T cell in infections and immunotherapy settings. Using a cell-impermeable, activity-based probe (ABP) for papain cathepsins, the most abundant type of endocytic proteases, we have simulated the encounter between exogenous antigen and endocytic proteases in live human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MO-DC). Although cathepsin S (CatS), -B, -H, and -X were active in DC-derived endocytic fractions in vitro, the peptide-size tracer was routed selectively to active CatS after internalization by macropinocytosis. Blocking of the vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase abolished this CatS-selective targeting, and LPS-induced maturation of DC resulted in degradation of active CatS. Conjugation of the ABP to a protein facilitated the delivery to endocytic proteases and resulted in labeling of sizable amounts of CatB and CatX, although CatS still remained the major protease reached by this construct. Conjugation of the probe to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) routed the tracer to the entire panel of intracellular cathepsins, independently from endocytosis or LPS stimulation. Thus, different means of internalization result in differential targeting of active cathepsins in live MO-DC. CPP may serve as vehicles to target antigen more efficiently to protease-containing endocytic compartments.

PET imaging of apoptosis with (64)Cu-labeled streptavidin following pretargeting of phosphatidylserine with biotinylated annexin-V.

PURPOSE: In vivo detection of apoptosis is a diagnostic tool with potential clinical applications in cardiology and oncology. Radiolabeled annexin-V (anxV) is an ideal probe for in vivo apoptosis detection owing to its strong affinity for phosphatidylserine (PS), the molecular flag on the surface of apoptotic cells. Most clinical studies performed to visualize apoptosis have used (99m)Tc-anxV; however, its poor distribution profile often compromises image quality. In this study, tumor apoptosis after therapy was visualized by positron emission tomography (PET) using (64)Cu-labeled streptavidin (SAv), following pre-targeting of apoptotic cells with biotinylated anxV. METHODS: Apoptosis was induced in tumor-bearing mice by photodynamic therapy (PDT) using phthalocyanine dyes as photosensitizers, and red light. After PDT, mice were injected i.v. with biotinylated anxV, followed 2 h later by an avidin chase, and after another 2 h with (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin-SAv. PET images were subsequently recorded up to 13 h after PDT. RESULTS: PET images delineated apoptosis in treated tumors as early as 30 min after (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin-SAv administration, with tumor-to-background ratios reaching a maximum at 3 h post-injection, i.e., 7 h post-PDT. Omitting the administration of biotinylated anxV or the avidin chase failed to provide a clear PET image, confirming that all three steps are essential for adequate visualization of apoptosis. Furthermore, differences in action mechanisms between photosensitizers that target tumor cells directly or via initial vascular stasis were clearly recognized through differences in tracer uptake patterns detecting early or delayed apoptosis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the efficacy of a three-step (64)Cu pretargeting procedure for PET imaging of apoptosis. Our data also confirm the usefulness of small animal PET to evaluate cancer treatment protocols.

Investigation of biotin-streptavidin binding interactions using microcantilever sensors.

We report the investigation of biotin-streptavidin binding interactions using microcantilever sensors. A symmetric cantilever construction is employed to minimize the effects of thermal drift and the control of surface chemistry on the backside of the cantilever is demonstrated to reduce the effects of non-specific binding interactions on the cantilever. Three structurally different biotin modified cantilever surfaces are used as a model system to study the binding interaction with streptavidin. The cantilever response to the binding of streptavidin on these biotin sensing monolayers is compared. The lowest detection limit of streptavidin using biotin-HPDP is found to be between 1 and 10nM limited by the optical measurement setup. Surface characterization using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and high-resolution atomic force microscope (AFM) is used to benchmark the cantilever sensor response. In addition, the QCM and AFM studies reveal that the surface density of bound streptavidin on biotin modified surfaces was low, thereby implying that effects other than steric hindrance are responsible for defining cantilever response.

Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy.

This brief review covers the concept of pretargeted radioimmunotherapy and summarize the results obtained in preclinical animal models and initial phase I clinical trials. Reagents studied have been a bifunctional antibody prepared by crosslinking Fab' fragments from two antibodies with different specificity, one binding the target antigen expressed on tumors and the other binding a radiolabeled peptide. The alternative system is a conjugate of streptavidin linked to the pretargeting agent and radiolabeled biotin. After reaching optimal tumor targeting of the pretargeting agent, a synthetic mono-biotin poly N-acetyl-galactosamine compound was used to clear unbound targeting agent from the circulation before the injection of radiolabeled biotin. Promising therapeutic responses were obtained in various tumor xenograft models in athymic nude mice. A phase I study of an anti-CD20/streptavidin pretargeting agent and 15 mCi/m(2)(90)Y-biotin produced objective responses with minimal toxicity among lymphoma patients, with an average tumor-to-whole-body radiation dose ratio of 49. Pretargeting radioimmunotherapy approaches have shown higher tumor-to-whole-body ratios than that usually obtained with one-step radioimmunotherapy.

Novel preparation and characterization of a trastuzumab-streptavidin conjugate for pre-targeted radionuclide therapy.

INTRODUCTION: This study describes a novel and convenient route for the preparation of a trastuzumab-streptavidin conjugate such as might be used in a pre-targeting system and its in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation. METHODS: Trastuzumab was irradiated with UV light in the presence of stannous ions to reduce a number of the disulfide bridges to free thiol groups. A range of irradiation times were studied in order to quantify the number of thiols produced and to optimize the reduction process. The conjugate was then prepared by reaction with succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethy cyclohexane)-1-carboxylate (SMCC)-linked streptavidin. RESULTS: Initial conjugation reactions in phosphate buffer were inefficient, producing low conjugate yields, but conjugation reactions in triethanolamine-based buffer showed greatly increased conjugation yields. A high purity product (approximately 100%) was obtained following purification by gel-filtration HPLC as determined by subsequent size exclusion HPLC analysis. The conjugate was shown to possess an essentially identical immunoreactivity to that of the native, unconjugated antibody and an unaltered biotin binding stoichiometry. Shedding and internalization by Her-2-expressing cells were low and the uptake in vivo by Her-2-expressing xenografts in nude mice was similar to that of labelled antibody. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a new, simple and effective method for the successful synthesis of antibody-streptavidin conjugates which could also be applied to many other heterodimeric protein conjugation reactions.

Targeted magnetic resonance imaging with intraperitoneal and intravenous streptavidin (SA)-DTPA-Gd: a comparative study in tumor-bearing nude mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of streptavidin (SA)-DTPA-Gd after intraperitoneal and intravenous administration for tumor enhancement in targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Biotinylated monoclonal antibody CL3 (600 microg) was intravenously injected into 12 BALB/c nude mice with subcutaneous inoculation of LoVo cells, followed by administration of 80 microg avidin as the chaser 24 h later and then SA-DTPA-Gd was injected intravenously or intraperitoneally after another 30 min. MRI was performed before and 20, 60 min and 3, 6, 9, 12 h after the injection of the contrast agents, and the MR signal intensity of the tumor and liver was determined. RESULT: The maximum enhancement ratio of the tumor was 70.2% in the intravenous injection group and 46.4% in the intraperitoneal group, showing significant difference between them. The maximal enhancement rate of the liver was 23.7% in the intraperitoneal group and 20.4% in the intravenous group, showing no significant difference. CONCLUSION: MR targeted imaging with biotinylated monoclonal antibody CL3 and SA-DTPA-Gd has specific enhancement effect. Higher blood level of SA-DTPA-Gd in the intravenous group facilitates the tumor enhancement in MRI in subcutaneous tumor model.

Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy with a single-chain antibody/streptavidin construct and radiolabeled DOTA-biotin: strategies for reduction of the renal dose.

UNLABELLED: Multistep immune targeting holds great promise for radioimmunodiagnosis and therapy of cancer. Pretargeting of the tetrameric single-chain, variable-fragment streptavidin construct of the tetrameric monoclonal antibody CC49 with subsequent administration of radiolabeled 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-biotin has yielded promising results in TAG-72-expressing tumor xenograft models. A potential limitation of this approach, however, has been high and prolonged renal uptake of radioactivity. The objective of the current study, therefore, was to evaluate the reduction of kidney uptake of radiolabeled DOTA-biotin achieved by each of 4 different methods. METHODS: A human pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenograft model (HPAC) in nude mice was used. The animals were intravenously injected with the antibody-streptavidin construct and a synthetic clearing agent (biotinylated N-acetyl-galactosamine) 24 and 4 h, respectively, before the administration of (67)Ga-DOTA-biotin. For reduction of the renal uptake, different groups of mice were treated with streptavidin saturated with biotin, with several administrations of lysine or colchicine or with a succinylated antibody-streptavidin construct (resulting in a decreased electrical charge). All animals were sacrificed 24 h after injection of the (67)Ga-DOTA-biotin for biodistribution and quantitative autoradiography (QAR) studies and selected animals underwent microSPECT/microCT studies. RESULTS: There was marked targeting of the radiolabeled DOTA-biotin to tumor in all groups except in negative-control animals. Only succinylation of the scFv-CC49-streptavidin fusion protein significantly reduced ( approximately 30%) kidney uptake without affecting tumor activity. QAR corroborated these results and demonstrated that radiolabeled DOTA-biotin localized selectively in the renal cortex. Among the other experimental groups, there was no change in kidney uptake of the radiolabeled biotin. CONCLUSION: In contrast to directly labeled antibodies and antibody fragments, administration of the negatively charged amino acid lysine was largely ineffective in pretargeting strategies with a single-chain-immuno-streptavidin fusion protein. Succinylation of the scFv-CC49-streptavidin construct, on the other hand, reduces kidney uptake of subsequently administered radiolabeled biotin, presumably by inhibiting reuptake of the fusion protein in the proximal renal tubules, and, therefore, could significantly reduce renal doses and improve therapeutic indices associated with multistep immune targeting approaches to radioimmunotherapy.

Intraperitoneal pretarget radioimmunotherapy with CC49 fusion protein.

PURPOSE: This study examined a pretarget radioimmunotherapy strategy for treatment of an i.p. tumor model (LS174T). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The strategy used regional administration (i.p.) of a novel targeting molecule composed of four CC49 anti-tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) single-chain antibodies linked to streptavidin as a fusion protein (CC49 fusion protein); 24 hours later, a synthetic clearing agent was administered i.v. to produce hepatic clearance of unbound CC49 fusion protein/synthetic clearing agent complexes. Four hours later, a low molecular weight radiolabeled reagent composed of biotin conjugated to the chelating agent 7,10-tetra-azacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) complexed with (111)In-, (90)Y-, or (177)Lu-DOTA-biotin was injected. RESULTS: Radiolocalization to tumor sites was superior with i.p. administration of radiolabeled DOTA-biotin as compared with i.v. administration. Imaging and biodistribution studies showed excellent tumor localization of radioactivity with (111)In- or (177)Lu-DOTA-biotin. Tumor localization of (111)In-DOTA-biotin was 43% ID/g and 44% ID/g at 4 and 24 hours with the highest normal tissue localization in the kidney with 6% ID/g at 48 and 72 hours. Therapy studies with (90)Y-DOTA-biotin at doses of 400 to 600 microCi or (177)Lu-DOTA-biotin at doses of 600 to 800 microCi produced significant prolongation of survival compared with controls (P = 0.03 and P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pretarget radioimmunotherapy using regional administration of CC49 fusion protein and i.p. (90)Y- or (177)Lu-DOTA-biotin represents a successful therapeutic strategy in the LS174T i.p. tumor model and this strategy may be applicable to human trials in patients with i.p. ovarian cancer.

Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy of mesothelin-expressing cancer using a tetravalent single-chain Fv-streptavidin fusion protein.

UNLABELLED: Mesothelin is a glycoprotein that is overexpressed in several human tumors, including mesotheliomas and ovarian cancers, and has been identified as a potential target for therapy. We evaluated the biodistribution and tumor-targeting ability of an antimesothelin tetravalent single-chain Fv-streptavidin fusion protein (SS1scFvSA) in mice. METHODS: SS1scFvSA was labeled with 125I or 111In for evaluation of internalization in vitro and for optimization of its biodistribution. The A431-K5 mesothelin transfected cell line was used as the target. We used a 3-step pretargeting approach consisting of injections of (i) SS1scFvSA, followed 20 h later by (ii) a synthetic clearing agent, and (iii) 4 h later, radiolabeled (111In, 88Y/90Y, or 177Lu) 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-biotin. To optimize the tumor uptake, the effect of the specific activity of 111In-DOTA-biotin was evaluated. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of SS1sc FvSA internalized within 6 h. The optimal dose of SS1scFvSA for pretargeting was 600 microg. Decreasing the specific activity of DOTA-biotin by administering 0.1-5 microg of DOTA-biotin resulted in tumor uptake decreasing from 31.8 to 5.5 %ID/g (percentage injected dose per gram) at 2 h. Pretargeted therapy of A431-K5 tumor with 90Y doses of 11.1-32.4 MBq resulted in a dose-dependent tumor response. With 32.4 MBq, 86% of mice survived tumor free for 110 d. All nontreated mice died, with a median survival of 16 d. CONCLUSION: SS1scFvSA localized in the mesothelin-expressing tumor, resulting in a high accumulation of radiolabeled DOTA-biotin. The specific activity of DOTA-biotin had a significant effect on its tumor uptake. Therapeutic tumor doses were obtained without dose-limiting toxicity.