SIB-DOTA: a trifunctional prosthetic group potentially amenable for multi-modal labeling that enhances tumor uptake of internalizing monoclonal antibodies.

A major drawback of internalizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) radioiodinated with direct electrophilic approaches is that tumor retention of radioactivity is compromised by the rapid washout of iodo-tyrosine, the primary labeled catabolite for mAbs labeled via this strategy. In our continuing efforts to develop more versatile residualizing labels that could overcome this problem, we have designed SIB-DOTA, a prosthetic labeling template that combines the features of the prototypical, dehalogenation-resistant N-succinimidyl 3-iodobenzoate (SIB) with DOTA, a useful macrocyclic chelator for labeling with radiometals. Herein we describe the synthesis of the unlabeled standard of this prosthetic moiety, its protected tin precursor, and radioiodinated SIB-DOTA. An anti-EGFRvIII-reactive mAb, L8A4 was radiolabeled with [(131)I]SIB-DOTA in 27.1±6.2% (n=2) conjugation yields and its targeting properties to the same mAb labeled with [(125)I]SGMIB both in vitro and in vivo using U87MG·ΔEGFR cells and xenografts were compared. In vitro paired-label internalization assays showed that the intracellular radioactivity from [(131)I]SIB-DOTA-L8A4 was 21.4±0.5% and 26.2±1.1% of initially bound radioactivity at 16 and 24h, respectively. In comparison, these values for [(125)I]SGMIB-L8A4 were 16.7±0.5% and 14.9±1.1%. Similarly, the SIB-DOTA prosthetic group provided better tumor targeting in vivo than SGMIB over 8 d period. These results suggest that SIB-DOTA warrants further evaluation as a residualizing agent for labeling internalizing mAbs including those targeted to EGFRvIII.

Radiohalogenation of a monoclonal antibody using an N-succinimidyl 3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoate intermediate.

N-Succinimidyl 3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoate (ATE) was elevated for its utility in the radiohalogenation of monoclonal antibodies. The F(ab')2 fragment of monoclonal antibody OC 125 was labeled with 125I using the ATE reagent and with 131I using a conventional electrophilic iodination method (Iodogen). N-Succinimidyl 3-[125I]iodobenzoate was synthesized from ATE in greater than 90% yield and purified using a disposable silica gel cartridge. About 60-65% of the radioiodinated product was coupled to the F(ab')2 fragment after a 30-min reaction. Two procedures were investigated, one involving exposure of antibody to 35 nmol of ATE and the other to 240 nmol of ATE. Using Scatchard analyses, affinity constants for binding to CA 125 antigen for OC 125 F(ab')2 labeled using the low ATE, Iodogen, and high ATE procedures were determined to be (5.2 +/- 1.0) x 10(10), (2.5 +/- 0.9) x 10(10), and (4.2 +/- 2.4) x 10(9) M-1, respectively. Paired-label studies in athymic mice bearing OVCAR-3 tumors treated with injections of antibody labeled via both ATE and Iodogen demonstrated that use of the ATE method (a) reduced thyroid uptake to less than 0.1% of the injected dose, more than 100 times less than that observed with Iodogen; (b) resulted in more rapid clearance of activity from normal tissues; and (c) with the low ATE preparations, increased the uptake of radioactivity in tumor from 27 to 49%. At 96 h, tumor:tissue ratios were generally at least 4-fold higher when antibody was labeled via ATE. These results suggest that the ATE method may be a valuable approach for the radiohalogenation of antibodies.

Radiolocalization of human pancreatic tumors in athymic mice by monoclonal antibody DU-PAN 1.

Monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to pancreatic tumors may be useful in the therapy and diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. In this study we have examined the tumor localization of radioiodinated DU-PAN 1, a mouse monoclonal antibody that is selective for a human pancreatic cancer-associated antigen. After radiolabeling, both DU-PAN 1 intact monoclonal antibody and F(ab')2 fragments retained immunoreactivity and showed high affinity for the pancreatic tumor cell line CA13 in vitro. Paired-label biodistribution studies in nude mice bearing CA13 s.c. xenografts were performed. Mice received both 131I-labeled DU-PAN 1 immunoglobulin G2a or F(ab')2 fragment and 125I-labeled mouse myeloma immunoglobulin G2a or F(ab')2 fragment. Tumor uptake for 5-micrograms doses of DU-PAN 1 immunoglobulin ranged from 4.8 to 11.83% injected dose/g. Tumor uptake values for mice given 5-micrograms doses of DU-PAN 1 F(ab')2 ranged from 3.9 to 6.9% injected dose/g. Tumor uptakes of the respective myeloma controls were lower in all cases when compared with the DU-PAN 1 preparations. Tumor localization indices for 5-micrograms doses of DU-PAN 1 immunoglobulin were 3.0 and 24 h and 2.9 at 48 h. For 5-micrograms doses of DU-PAN 1 F(ab')2, tumor localization indices were 29.9 at 24 h and 90.0 at 48 h. In most cases, tumor:normal tissue ratios were greater than 3 at all time points, indicative of tumor selectivity for both DU-PAN 1 preparations, but the ratios were considerably higher using the DU-PAN 1 F(ab')2. The F(ab')2 fragment thus displays better tumor localization characteristics when compared with the intact immunoglobulin. Protein doses of DU-PAN 1 F(ab')2 of between 5 and 10 micrograms gave the best localization, although protein doses of up to 100 micrograms could be administered before apparent tumor saturation was seen.

Comparative tissue distribution in mice of the alpha-emitter 211At and 131I as labels of a monoclonal antibody and F(ab')2 fragment.

Because it decays by the emission of short-range, high-energy alpha-particles, the radiohalogen 211At might be a particularly useful nuclide for some types of radioimmunotherapy. However, no suitable gamma-emitting nuclide of astatine exists which would permit either imaging prior to therapy to obtain radiation dosimetry estimates or performing experiments in paired-label format. Since iodine is the halogen above astatine in the periodic table, we investigated whether the in vivo distribution of 131I could be used to mimic the biodistribution of 211At. In this study, the N-succinimidyl 3-(trialkylstannyl)benzoate method was used to label C110 IgG, an antibody directed against carcinoembryonic antigen, and its (Fab')2 fragment with 211At and 131I. Paired-label experiments were performed in normal mice comparing the tissue distribution of 211At- versus 131I-labeled C110 IgG and F(ab')2 as well as [211At]astatide versus [131I]iodide and m-[211At]astatobenzoic acid versus m-[131I]iodobenzoic acid, potential catabolites of proteins radiohalogenated via the N-succinimidyl 3-(trialkylstannyl)benzoate method. With the exception of thyroid, retention of astatide in tissues was higher than that of iodide; and, with the halobenzoic acids, uptake of 211At was higher than 135I in thyroid, stomach, and spleen. Use of the N-succinimidyl 3-(trialkylstannyl)benzoate method to label C110 IgG with 211At and 131I resulted in similar distributions of the two nuclides. In contrast, loss of 211At from the F(ab')2 fragment was considerably more rapid than 131I, suggesting that different astatination methods may be required for use with F(ab')2 fragments.

Cytotoxicity of alpha-particle-emitting m-[211At]astatobenzylguanidine on human neuroblastoma cells.

Radioiodinated m-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) has been used with only limited success for the treatment of neural crest tumors including neuroblastoma. Use of an MIBG analogue labeled with 211At could be advantageous because of the shorter range and higher linear energy transfer of its alpha-particle emissions compared with the beta-particles emitted by 131I. The potential utility of m-[211At]astatobenzylguanidine for the treatment of neuroblastoma was investigated in vitro using 3 human neuroblastoma cell lines known to take up MIBG [SK-N-SH, SK-N-BE(2C), and SK-SY5Y] and a control line lacking MIBG uptake (SK-N-MC). Maximum binding of m-[211At]astatobenzylguanidine ([211At] MABG) to 5 x 10(5) cells after a 2-h incubation ranged from 61% for SK-N-SH to 1% for SK-N-MC. Using a limiting dilution clonogenic assay, the cytotoxicity for SK-N-SH cells of [211At]MABG was compared with [211At]astatide and no-carrier-added [131I]MIBG. A D0 of 5.8 nCi/ml was calculated for [211At]MABG compared with 482 nCi/ml for [211At] astatide, indicating a more than 80-fold enhanced cytotoxicity for the specifically targeted alpha-particles of [211At]MABG. For [211At]MABG, the D0 corresponded to only 6.4 211At atoms bound/cell compared with 9000 atoms/cell for no-carrier-added [131I]MIBG. The D0 values measured for [211At]MABG treatment of SK-SY5Y, SK-N-BE(2C), and SK-N-MC cells were 50, 5.8, and 11,043 nCi/ml, respectively, corresponding to 7.04, 6.46, and 171.79 211At atoms bound/cell. In conclusion, these results have demonstrated that [211At]MABG is considerably more cytotoxic than [131I]MIBG and that [211At]MABG could have great potential as a radiotherapeutic agent for the treatment of neuroblastoma.

5-[211 At]astato-2'-deoxyuridine, an alpha particle-emitting endoradiotherapeutic agent undergoing DNA incorporation.

When labeled with the subcellular range Auger electron emitters 125I and 123I, the thymidine analogue 5-iodo-2'deoxyuridine (IUdR) is highly cytotoxic but only to cells going through S-phase during exposure to these radiopharmaceuticals. Since 211 At emits alpha-particles of high linear energy transfer, but with a range of a few cell diameters, an IUdR analogue labeled with 211At could markedly improve the homogeneity of tumor dose deposition. Herein we describe the synthesis of 5-[211 At]astato-2'-deoxyuridine ([211 At]AUdR) in 85-90% radiochemical yield via the astatodestannylation of 5-(trimethylstannyl)-2'-deoxyuridine. In vitro studies using the human glioma cell line D-247 MG demonstrated that [211 At]AUdR was virtually identical to [131I]IUdr; both exhibited a linear increase in cell uptake with activity concentration, an inhibition of uptake by 10 micrometers IUdR, and the incorporation of about 50% of cell-bound activity into DNA. In a clonogenic assay, [211 At]AUdR exhibited a high cytotoxicity for D-247 MG cells, with a D(0) equivalent to less than 3 211At atoms/cell.

Improved therapeutic efficacy of a monoclonal antibody radioiodinated using N-succinimidyl-3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoate.

Improvements in efficacy of radioimmunotherapy will require increased tumor uptake relative to normal tissue. We previously demonstrated that labeling the IgG2b glioma-reactive antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 with 131I using N-succinimidyl-3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoate (ATE) increased tumor uptake and tumor-to-normal tissue ratios and decreased deiodination compared with labeling using Iodo-Gen. The present study was conducted to determine whether 131I 81C6 labeled using ATE (81C6 ATE) would demonstrate a therapeutic advantage over 131I 81C6 labeled using Iodo-Gen (81C6 IOD) in treating s.c. D-54 MG human glioma xenografts in athymic mice. The subclass IgG2b MAb 45.6 labeled with 131I using ATE (45.6 ATE) was used as a control. Animals were injected with saline or 500 microCi of 45.6 ATE (23 microCi/microgram), 81C6 ATE (26 microCi/microgram), or 81C6 IOD (24 microCi/microgram). With approximately 150 mm3 initial tumor volumes, growth delay for 81C6 ATE was significantly better by Wilcoxon rank sum analysis than saline (P = 0.0006 to 0.003), 45.6 ATE (P = 0.0006 to 0.002), and 81C6 IOD (P = 0.0008 to 0.007). Biodistribution data from similarly injected animals gave estimated radiation doses to tumor of 7723, 5200, and 1667 rad for 81C6 ATE, 81C6 IOD, and 45.6 ATE, respectively. In addition, 81C6 ATE administered at this dosage to animals with 50% larger initial tumors also improved tumor growth delay in comparison with 81C6 IOD given to animals with standard-size tumors. A similar experiment was conducted at 1000 microCi and, although radiation toxicity was noted in all labeled groups, two animals in the 81C6 ATE group had tumor regression for more than 240 days, and the other groups had no regressors. We conclude that the use of the ATE method may significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of radioiodinated monoclonal antibodies.

Localization of fluorine-18-labeled Mel-14 monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragment in a subcutaneous xenograft model.

Positron emission tomography is an imaging method that might improve the effectiveness of radioimmunoscintigraphy and might provide more accurate estimates of monoclonal antibody dosimetry prior to therapy. Because of its widespread availability, 2-h half-life 18F could be a useful nuclide for labeling monoclonal antibody fragments, provided that adequate tumor uptake and satisfactory tumor:normal tissue ratios could be achieved rapidly. In this study, the tissue distribution of 18F-labeled Mel-14 F(ab')2, a monoclonal antibody reactive with gliomas, was evaluated in a s.c. athymic mouse human glioma xenograft model. 18F labeling was performed using N-succinimidyl-8-(4-[18F]fluorobenzylamino) suberate. For paired-label comparisons both in vitro and in vivo, Mel-14 F(ab')2 was also labeled using N-succinimidyl 3- [125I]- iodobenzoate. When 100-120 micrograms of disuccinimidyl suberate was used in the 18F-labeled acylation agent synthesis, the binding of 18F-labeled Mel-14 F(ab')2 to glioma homogenates was comparable to that of the radioiodinated fragment. Scatchard analyses indicated nearly identical affinity constants for fragments with both labels (18F, 6.4 x 10(8) M-1; 125I, 6.7 x 10(8) M-1). Tumor levels of 18F increased between 1 and 2 h and then were relatively constant between 2 and 6 h. When lower levels of disuccinimidyl suberate were used, there was an excellent correlation between 18F and 125I tumor uptake (r = 0.984, slope 1.03-1.04). At 4 h, tumor:normal tissue ratios for 18F-labeled Mel-14 F(ab')2 in liver, spleen, muscle, and brain were 2.3, 4.2, 14, and 40, respectively. Localization indices, determined by comparison with 18F-labeled nonspecific F(ab')2, were 3.7 at 4 h and 6.9 at 6 h for tumor and about 1 for normal tissues, indicating the specificity of 18F-labeled Mel-14 F(ab')2 tumor uptake.

Radioiodination via D-amino acid peptide enhances cellular retention and tumor xenograft targeting of an internalizing anti-epidermal growth factor receptor variant III monoclonal antibody.

The mutant epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) has been found on gliomas and other tumors but not on normal tissues, including those that express the wild-type receptor. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for EGFRvIII are rapidly internalized and degraded after binding to EGFRvIII-expressing cells. If anti-EGFRvIII mAbs are to be useful for radioimmunotherapy, then methods for trapping radionuclides in target cells after mAb processing are required. Because lysosomes are known to retain positively charged molecules, we have evaluated a new reagent for this purpose that uses a polycationinc peptide composed of D-amino acids (D-Lys-D-Arg-D-Tyr-D-Arg-D-Arg; D-KRYRR). D-KRYRR was first labeled using lodogen and then coupled to the murine anti-EGFRvIII mAb L8A4 via maleimido bond formation in 60% yield. In vitro assays with the U87deltaEGFR cell line indicated that internalized and total cell-associated activity for the 125I-labeled D-KRYRR-L8A4 conjugate were up to 4 and 5 times higher, respectively, than for L8A4 labeled with 131I using Iodogen. Paired-label comparisons in athymic mice with s.c. U87deltaEGFR xenografts demonstrated up to 5-fold higher tumor uptake for mAb labeled using D-KRYRR. Higher levels of radioiodine activity also were observed in kidney when L8A4 was labeled using D-KRYRR. Another paired-label study directly compared L8A4 labeled using radioiodinated D-KRYRR and L-KRYRR, and confirmed the role of D-amino acids in enhancing tumor uptake. These results suggest that D-KRYRR is a promising reagent for the radioiodination of internalizing mAbs, such as the anti-EGFRvIII mAb L8A4.

Radiolocalization of human mammary tumors in athymic mice by a monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibody B6.2 reacts with a protein found on the surface of primary and metastatic human mammary tumors. B6.2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) was purified, F(ab')2 and Fab' fragments were generated by pepsin digestion, and the IgG and its fragments were radiolabeled with 125I; all were successful in localizing human mammary tumors transplanted into athymic mice, with tumor:tissue ratios increasing over a 4-day period. The 125I-labeled IgG gave tumor:spleen, tumor:liver, and tumor:kidney ratios of greater than 10:1 and tumor:brain and tumor:muscle ratios of 50:1 to 110:1. The F(ab')2 fragment gave higher tumor:tissue ratios than did the IgG, with tumor:liver and tumor:spleen ratios of 15:1 to 20:1. No localization of the labeled B6.2 monoclonal antibody or its fragments was observed in athymic mice bearing a human melanoma or with isotype-identical control immunoglobulin or its fragments in athymic mice bearing the mammary tumors. Imaging experiments confirmed the ability of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody B6.2 and its fragments to detect the presence of transplanted human mammary tumor lesions of less than 0.4 cm without the aid of background subtraction manipulations.

Interaction of monoclonal antibodies with cell surface antigens of human ovarian carcinomas.

Two monoclonal antibodies, OC 125 and OC 133, bind to distinct determinants on the surface of human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines. OC 125 and OC 133 recognize determinants on molecules with molecular weights greater than 200,000 and 80,000, respectively. When binding to four different cell lines was compared, apparent affinity constants for OC 125 ranged from 3.1 X 10(9) to 6.0 X 10(7) M-1, whereas those for OC 133 ranged from 1.6 X 10(9) to 8.5 X 10(8) M-1. An estimate of the number of antigenic determinants per cell ranged from 1.0 X 10(7) to 2.8 X 10(5) for OC 125 and from 4.0 X 10(5) to 3.4 X 10(4) for OC 133. Antigenic determinants recognized by OC 125 and OC 133 could be detected in spent culture medium. When radiolabeled OC 125 was incubated with each of four ovarian tumor cell lines, approximately 90% of the antibody remained bound to the tumor cell surfaces for more than 20 hr. Similar binding of OC 133 was observed with three of the four ovarian tumor cell lines. By contrast, greater than 70% of OC 133 antibody was either shed or endocytosed after binding to OVCA 433 cells over the same period. Antigenic modulation was not induced by either antibody interacting with any of the four cell lines. These data suggest that antigen may be lost from the surface of human ovarian carcinoma cells by several different mechanisms and that antigen release is not inconsistent with binding of radiolabeled antibody to the tumor cell surface for prolonged periods.

Pharmacokinetics of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody B6.2 in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Thirteen patients with metastatic breast carcinoma were given injections of 50-1593 micrograms of 131I-monoclonal antibody (MAb) B6.2 immunoglobulin G and F(ab')2 for pharmacokinetic evaluation and radioimmunoimaging. Blood clearance of the 131I-MAb-B6.2 was biphasic. The mean half-times (t 1/2 alpha, t 1/2 beta) for the immunoglobulin G were 3.5 +/- 1.7 and 20.9 +/- 11.0 h, respectively. The t 1/2 alpha for the F(ab')2 was 1.7 +/- 1.3 h, and the t 1/2 beta was 31.0 +/- 5.7 h. The percentage of protein bound 131I for the immunoglobulin G and for the F(ab')2 at 72 h was 73.7 +/- 11.4% and 58.2 +/- 14.5%, respectively. In vitro reactivity of MAb B6.2 with granulocytes isolated from normal subjects and patients was demonstrated by cytofluorometric and radioimmunoassays. MAb B6.2 was shown to bind with normal cross-reacting antigen, a cell surface antigen known to be expressed on normal human granulocytes. Reactivity with normal cross-reacting antigen on granulocytes is consistent with the skeletal images obtained during immunoscintigraphy of all 13 patients. A specific tumor image was observed in one patient. No toxicity was encountered. In spite of extensive preclinical data suggesting that 131I-MAb B6.2 would be a useful agent for radioimmunoimaging, the clinical utility of this reagent is probably limited because of the reactivity with granulocytes.

Enhanced delivery of a monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragment to subcutaneous human glioma xenografts using local hyperthermia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tumor-localized hyperthermia at 42 degrees C on the tissue distribution of radioiodinated monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragments. Paired-label biodistribution measurements were performed in athymic mice bearing D-54 MG human glioma xenografts on one leg. Mice received both the 131I-labeled F(ab')2 fragment of Mel-14, reactive with human gliomas and melanomas, and nonspecific 125I-labeled RPC 5 F(ab')2. Tumor-bearing legs were placed in a 42 degrees C water bath or a 37 degrees C water bath (control) for 2 or 4 h. In mice sacrificed immediately after 2 h of heating, no hyperthermia-induced differences in the distribution of either fragment were observed. In the 4-h groups, tumor uptake of Mel-14 F(ab')2 increased from 7.04 +/- 1.59% injected dose (ID)/g at 37 degrees C to 20.65 +/- 4.53% ID/g at 42 degrees C (P less than 0.0001), and tumor localization of the control fragment rose from 5.23 +/- 1.35% ID/g to 14.51 +/- 1.37% ID/g (P less than 0.0001). In another experiment, F(ab')2 fragments were injected, tumors were heated for 4 h, and groups were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 16 h after injection. Statistically significant 2- to 3-fold higher uptake of both fragments in tumor were observed at all time points. Hyperthermic conditions also resulted in higher tumor:tissue ratios for both fragments. These results suggest that it may be possible to use tumor-localized hyperthermia to increase the therapeutic utility of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, particularly when labeled with short lived nuclides such as the 7.2-h alpha-emitter 211At.

Enhanced tumor localization and in vivo stability of a monoclonal antibody radioiodinated using N-succinimidyl 3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoate.

Loss of radiolabel after in vivo administration of labeled monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to cancer patients is a likely cause of the low levels of tumor uptake of MAb which have been observed. In this study, we have evaluated the utility of N-succinimidyl 3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoate (ATE) for the radioiodination of 81C6, a MAb reactive with the extracellular matrix antigen tenascin associated with gliomas and other tumors. In vitro binding properties of MAb labeled via ATE were slightly better than those of the Iodogen preparations. Paired-label studies were performed in athymic mice bearing s.c. D-54 MG xenografts and injected with both 81C6 labeled with 125I using the ATE method and 131I using the Iodogen method. These studies demonstrated that use of the ATE method (a) decreased thyroid uptake by 40- to 100-fold, suggesting a lower rate of dehalogenation compared to MAb labeled using Iodogen; (b) increased tumor uptake by as much as a factor of 4 at Day 1 to more than 12-fold at Day 8; and (c) resulted in superior tumor-to-normal-tissue dose ratios. The specificity of MAb uptake was investigated in a paired-labeled study comparing the distribution of 81C6 and isotype-matched control 45.6, both labeled using the ATE procedure. Localization indices for tumor ranged between 6 at Day 1 to 34 at Day 7, values considerably higher than those reported previously for 81C6 and 45.6 radioiodinated using a conventional method (chloramine T). These results demonstrate that the ATE method may be a valuable approach for labeling MAbs with iodine nuclides.

Pharmacokinetics and tumor localization of 131I-labeled anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 in patients with gliomas and other intracranial malignancies.

We previously have reported that radioiodinated anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 exhibits therapeutic potential against both s.c. and intracranial human glioma xenografts in athymic mice and rats. Herein we report the selective tumor localization of 131I-labeled 81C6 in patients with gliomas and other intracranial malignancies. Nine patients were simultaneously administered 5-50 mg of 131I-labeled 81C6 and 1-2 mg of 125I-labeled 45.6, an isotype-matched control monoclonal antibody. The blood clearance half-time for 81C6, normalized to that of 45.6 in the same patient, appeared to decrease with 81C6 protein dose. Gamma camera images obtained at 1 to 3 days exhibited increased uptake of 131I in regions corresponding to tumor with varying degrees of contrast to surrounding normal brain. Biopsy specimens of tumor and normal brain were obtained and analyzed histologically for tumor content. The average uptake of 81C6 in tumor ranged from 0.6 to 4.3 x 10(-3)% of the injected dose per gram. In patients receiving 20-50 mg of 81C6, the average tumor-to-normal-brain ratio was 25:1 with ratios as high as 200:1 seen in some samples. Localization indices were calculated by normalizing the uptake of 81C6 per gram tumor to the uptake of 81C6 per gram blood and dividing by the same ratio for 45.6 control monoclonal antibody. Localization indices for muscle and brain were about 1, in contrast to up to five for tumor. These studies demonstrate that the tumor uptake of 131I-labeled 81C6 in patients with gliomas and other intracranial malignancies is due to specific processes.

Targeting a genetically engineered elastin-like polypeptide to solid tumors by local hyperthermia.

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are biopolymers of the pentapeptide repeat Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly that undergo an inverse temperature phase transition. They are soluble in aqueous solutions below their transition temperature (T1) but hydrophobically collapse and aggregate at temperatures greater than T1. We hypothesized that ELPs conjugated to drugs would enable thermally targeted drug delivery to solid tumors if their T1 were between body temperature and the temperature in a locally heated region. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized a thermally responsive ELP with a T1 of 41 degrees C and a thermally unresponsive control ELP in Escherichia coli using recombinant DNA techniques. In vivo fluorescence videomicroscopy and radiolabel distribution studies of ELP delivery to human tumors (SKOV-3 ovarian carcinoma and D-54MG glioma) implanted in nude mice demonstrated that hyperthermic targeting of the thermally responsive ELP for 1 h provides a approximately 2-fold increase in tumor localization compared to the same polypeptide without hyperthermia. We observed aggregates of the thermally responsive ELP by fluorescence videomicroscopy within the heated tumor microvasculature but not in control experiments, which demonstrates that the phase transition of the thermally responsive ELP carrier can be engineered to occur in vivo at a specified temperature. By exploiting the phase transition-induced aggregation of these polypeptides, this method provides a new way to thermally target polymer-drug conjugates to solid tumors.

Improved targeting of an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor variant III monoclonal antibody in tumor xenografts after labeling using N-succinimidyl 5-iodo-3-pyridinecarboxylate.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) L8A4, specific for the tumor-associated mutant epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvII), is internalized and degraded after cell binding. Four paired-label experiments were performed in athymic mice bearing EGFRvIII-positive xenografts to determine the suitability of N-succinimidyl 3-iodo-5-pyridinecarboxylate (SIPC) for labeling this internalizing mAb. In mice with HC2 20 d2 xenografts, tumor uptake reached a maximum of 32.7 +/- 2.0% injected dose/g when labeled using SIPC, a value significantly higher (P < 0.05, paired t test) than that observed when L8A4 was labeled using lodogen (24.4 +/- 2.2% injected dose/g). The specificity of mAb uptake in HC2 20 d2 and U87MG(delta)EGFR xenografts was measured in separate experiments by coadministration of L8A4 and nonspecific, isotype-matched P3X63Ag8 mAb, both radioiodinated using SIPC. Tumor localization indices were approximately 10 or more by 72 h, a degree of specificity 3-4 times higher than that reported previously when labeling was performed using the tyramine cellobiose (TCB) method. In a final study directly comparing L8A4 labeled using SIPC and TCB, similar tumor levels were obtained (SIPC, 33.7 +/- 6.1% injected dose/g at 24 h; TCB, 37.8 +/- 6.7% injected dose/g at 24 h); however, tumor-to-tissue ratios for the liver, spleen, and kidneys were 3 times higher with SIPC at later time points. These results suggest that SIPC is a promising method for labeling this anti-EGFRvIII mAb and possibly other mAbs that internalize after binding.

Radioiodination of internalizing monoclonal antibodies using N-succinimidyl 5-iodo-3-pyridinecarboxylate.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that internalize following binding to cell-surface receptors require radiolabeling approaches that minimize loss of radioactivity from the cell after intracellular processing. One class of internalizing mAbs of great interest for imaging and radioimmunotherapy are those specific for EGFRvIII, a truncated form of the epidermal growth factor receptor found on gliomas, non-small cell lung carcinomas, breast carcinomas, and ovarian carcinomas. Because lysosomes are known to retain positively charged compounds, N-succinimidyl 5-iodo-3-pyridinecarboxylate (SIPC) might be ideal for radioiodination of these mAbs because of the positive charge on its pyridine ring. To investigate this hypothesis, the anti-EGFRvIII mAb L8A4 was labeled using SIPC, and internalization assays were performed using the EGFRvIII-positive cell lines HC2 20 d2 and NR6M. Compared with L8A4 labeled using Iodogen or N-succinimidyl 3-iodobenzoate, SIPC increased intracellular retention of activity by up to 65%. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analyses indicated that a significantly higher fraction of the low molecular weight catabolites from mAbs labeled via SIPC were retained within cells (SIPC, 28.1%; Iodogen, 7.6% at 1 h). With SIPC, the primary labeled species in cell lysates was the 5-iodonicotinic acid (INA)-lysine conjugate, whereas in the supernatant, both INA-lysine and INA were seen. A 3-4-fold higher percentage of these catabolites were charged at lysosomal pH in comparison with those from mAb labeled using N-succinimidyl 3-iodobenzoate, in concert with the differences in cellular retention observed between these two labeling methods. In mice bearing HC2 20 d2 xenografts, a significant improvement in tumor retention of radioiodine and tumor:normal tissue ratios was seen when L8A4 was labeled using SIPC instead of the Iodogen method. These results suggest that SIPC is a promising reagent for the radioiodination of anti-EGFRvIII L8A4 and, possibly, other internalizing mAbs.

Monoclonal antibody and F(ab')2 fragment delivery to tumor in patients with glioma: comparison of intracarotid and intravenous administration.

Non-i.v. delivery of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) has been shown to increase tumor uptake and decrease dose to normal tissues. In this study, we have examined the potential advantage of intracarotid (i.c.) versus i.v. administration for the delivery of an intact MAb and a F(ab')2 fragment to tumor in patients with gliomas. Three patients received 10-50 mg of 81C6 IgG2b, a MAb reactive with the glioma-associated extracellular matrix antigen tenascin, and three received 5-20 mg of the F(ab')2 fragment of Mel-14, which is reactive with gliomas and melanomas. Paired-injection protocols, in which one-half of the MAb was labeled with 131I and administered by i.c. injection, and one-half was labeled with 125I and simultaneously administered by i.v. injection, were used. For both 81C6 IgG2b and Mel-14 (Fab')2, no differences in blood clearance half-times or urinary excretion rates of radioiodine were observed between i.c.- and i.v.-administered activity. Analysis of biopsy samples revealed i.c.:i.v. uptake ratios of 1.02 +/- 0.04, 0.95 +/- 0.03, and 1.03 +/- 0.05 for the accumulation of 81C6 IgG2b in temporalis muscle, normal brain, and glioma, respectively. Similarly, the i.c.:i.v. uptake ratios for Mel-14 F(ab')2 in these tissues were 0.98 +/- 0.04 (SD), 1.00 +/- 0.05, and 1.04 +/- 0.05. When the differences in percentage of injected dose/g uptake after i.c. and i.v. administration were compared, no statistically significant advantage for i.c. delivery was seen (P = 0.22-0.61). These data indicate that i.c. administration of MAb 81C6 IgG2b and Mel-14 F(ab')2 fragments offers no delivery advantage to offset the small but finite risk involved in cannulation and injection of the internal carotid artery.

Treatment of intracranial human glioma xenografts with 131I-labeled anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6.

Lack of tumor specificity renders current modalities for treating malignant glioma ineffective. The administration of 131I-labeled monoclonal antibody (Mab) 81C6, which reacts with the glioma-associated extracellular matrix antigen, tenascin, to nude mice carrying s.c. human glioma xenografts has resulted in significant tumor growth delay and tumor regression. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of 131I-labeled 81C6 in athymic rats bearing intracranial human glioma xenografts, a more appropriate model for human gliomas. Mab 81C6, an IgG2b immunoglobulin, and an isotype-matched control Mab, 45.6, were labeled at 12.5-23.6 mCi/mg with chloramine-T. The Mabs were given i.v. at 1.25 and 2.5 mCi/animal for 131I-labeled 81C6, and 1.25 mCi for 131I-labeled 45.6 control. Therapeutic response was evaluated by survival prolongation using Wilcoxon rank sum analysis. Three experiments were done. No significant survival prolongation was found in the trial in which the average tumor size at the time of Mab administration was 60 +/- 14 mm3, two-thirds the size which causes animal death. In experiment 2, Mab was given at 16 +/- 14 mm3 average intracranial tumor volume. Statistically significant (P less than or equal to 0.005) survival prolongation was found for animals treated with 2.5 mCi 131I-labeled 81C6. In that experiment, male animals with intracranial xenografts had significantly shorter survival than females (P less than or equal to 0.005). When only female animals were used in the analysis, the 1.25-mCi 81C6 group also was found to have longer survival benefit (P less than or equal to 0.01). In the third experiment, only female animals were used and the tumor size at the initiation of treatment was 20 +/- 9 mm3. Highly significant survival prolongation again was found in both 1.25 (P = 0.001) and 2.5 mCi (P less than 0.001) 131I-labeled 81C6 groups. The estimated dose to intracranial tumors from 1.25 mCi of 131I-labeled Mab was 1585 rads for 81C6 and 168 rads for 45.6. Dose to other organs from 81C6 and 45.6 was similar, ranging between 31 rads to the brain and 734 rads to the bone marrow. However, normocellularity was observed in most marrow tissue examined microscopically. Three animals receiving the low dose (1.25 mCi 81C6) survived for more than 71 days with apparent cures. In conclusion, intracranial human glioma xenografts were treated successfully with 131I-labeled 81C6 but not control Mab.