Humoral immune responses to Epstein-Barr virus encoded tumor associated proteins and their putative extracellular domains in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and regional controls.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency proteins EBNA1, LMP1, LMP2, and BARF1 are expressed in tumor cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). IgG and IgA antibody responses to these non-self tumor antigens were analyzed in NPC patients (n=125) and regional controls (n=100) by three approaches, focusing on the putative LMP1, LMP2 extracellular domains. Despite abundant IgG and IgA antibody responses to lytic antigens and EBNA1, patients had low titer (1:25-1:100) IgG to LMP1 (81.2%), LMP2 (95.6%), and BARF1 (84.8%), while immunoblot showed such reactivity in 24.2%, 12.5%, and 12.5% at 1:50 dilution, respectively. Few IgA responses were detected, except for EBNA1. Controls only showed IgG to EBNA1. ELISA using peptides from different domains of LMP1, LMP2, and BARF1 also yielded mostly negative results. When existing, low level IgG to intracellular C-terminus of LMP1 (62.9%) prevailed. Rabbit immunization with peptides representing extracellular (loop) domains yielded loop-specific antibodies serving as positive control. Importantly, these rabbit antibodies stained specifically extracellular domains of LMP1 and LMP2 on viable cells and mediated complement-driven cytolysis. Rabbit anti-LMP1 loop-1 and -3 killed 50.4% and 59.4% of X50/7 and 35.0% and 35.9% of RAJI cells, respectively, and 22% of both lines were lysed by anti-LMP2 loop-2 or -5 antibodies. This demonstrates that (extracellular domains of) EBV-encoded tumor antigens are marginally immunogenic for humoral immune responses. However, peptide-specific immunization may generate such antibodies, which can mediate cell killing via complement activation. This opens options for peptide-based tumor vaccination in patients carrying EBV latency type II tumors such as NPC.

Development and validation of a multiplex immunoassay for the simultaneous determination of serum antibodies to Bordetella pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus.

To increase testing of vaccine induced humoral immunity in immune surveillance studies and vaccine trials, a rapid and simple microsphere-based multiplex assay (pentaplex) was developed for the quantitation of IgG serum antibodies directed against the Bordetella pertussis antigens: Pertussis Toxin (Ptx), Filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), Pertactin (Prn) and to Diphtheria toxin and Tetanus toxin. All individual antigens were covalently linked to carboxylated microspheres. The method was validated with different serum panels (n=60-78 samples). With the Multiplex Immunoassay (MIA) no evidence for bead interference between monoplex and pentaplex was found. The specificity of the method was shown by a heterologous inhibition of <16% and homologous inhibition of >92%. The pentaplex MIA appeared sensitive with lower limits of quantitation (LLOQ) well below those for ELISA (enzyme-linked immuno-sorbant assay). Assay reproducibility was high with intra-assay variability less than 10% and inter-assay variability below 14%. The reproducibility of the bead conjugation was good and beads could be stored up to at least 6 months without quality reduction. Importantly, the correlation of the pentaplex MIA with the individual ELISAs was excellent, R>0.98 for the Pertussis antigens and R=0.95 for Diphtheria and R=0.98 for Tetanus. Serum IgG antibodies to B. pertussis, Diphtheria and Tetanus can be measured easily, specific and reproducible using the pentaplex MIA. The pentaplex MIA shares features of the ELISA with the additional advantages of high sample throughput and small sample volumes and antigen required.

Pretargeting of carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing tumors with a biologically produced bispecific anticarcinoembryonic antigen x anti-indium-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid antibody.

PURPOSE: The aim of these studies was to develop a pretargeting strategy for CEA-expressing cancers using biologically produced bispecific monoclonal antibodies (bsMAb). The bsMAbs used in this system have affinity for the carcinoembryonic antigen on the one hand, and for indium-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), on the other. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Stable quadroma clones producing bsMAb MN-14xDTIn-1 were isolated. LS174T tumor-bearing mice were injected with 1 to 100 microg of bsMAb followed by 1 to 60 ng of an (111)In-labeled bivalent peptide [Ac-Phe-Lys(DTPA)-Tyr-Lys(DTPA)-NH2]. Mice were killed at 24 hours postinjection and the biodistribution of the radiolabel was determined. The biodistribution of diDTPA labeled with four different radionuclides ((111)In, 99mTc, nonresidualizing 125I, and residualizing 125I) was determined at various time points postinjection following pretargeting of LS174T tumors with bsMAb MN-14xDTIn-1. RESULTS: Optimal tumor targeting was observed when tumors were pretargeted with 10 microg of bsMAb MN-14xDTIn-1 and when 6 ng of a radiolabeled peptide was given 72 hours later. The uptake of the four radiolabels in LS174T tumors at 4 hours postinjection was similar. However, at later time points, the (111)In-label and residualizing 125I-label were better retained in the tumor than the nonresidualizing 125I label. Although the absolute uptake in the tumor (in terms of percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue) was 5-fold lower than the uptake obtained with directly labeled MN-14, the pretargeting strategy revealed much higher tumor-to-blood ratios due to the rapid clearance of the radiolabel from the circulation as compared with (111)In-MN-14 (445 +/- 90 and 5.3 +/- 1.1, respectively, at 72 hours postinjection). CONCLUSIONS: Effective targeting of carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing tumors was achieved with a newly produced bispecific antibody. The (111)In-labeled L-amino acid peptide and 125I-D-amino acid peptide were better retained in the tumor than the 99mTc- and 125I-L-amino acid peptide. Very high tumor-to-blood ratios were obtained due to rapid background clearance.

Residualizing iodine markedly improved tumor targeting using bispecific antibody-based pretargeting.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies have shown that pretargeting allows rapid visualization of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) with an (111)In-labeled bivalent peptide. For radioimmunotherapy, a beta-emitting radionuclide labeled to a bivalent peptide is required. Therapeutic efficacy of these radionuclides depends on the E(max), physical half-life, and residence time of the radiolabel in the tumor. The (131)I radiolabel generally clears rapidly from the tumor after internalization and subsequent degradation of the bivalent l-amino acid peptide (l-a.a. peptide) in the tumor cells. To improve the residence time of the iodine label in the tumor, a new bivalent peptide was synthesized that is peptidase resistant and consists of 4 d-amino acids (d-a.a. peptide). Here we investigated the characteristics of the residualizing iodine label in SK-RC-52 RCC tumors. METHODS: The d-a.a. peptide was manually synthesized according to standard solid-phase Fmoc/HBTU (2-[1H-benzotriazole-1-yl]-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate) chemistry. The uptake and retention in the tumor of (111)In-/(125)I-labeled bivalent peptides (l-a.a. peptide and d-a.a. peptide) were studied in female BALB/c athymic mice with subcutaneous SK-RC-52 RCC tumors. Tumors were pretargeted with the bispecific monoclonal antibody (bs-mAb) G250xDTIn-1 and, 72 h later, mice were injected intravenously with one of both radiolabeled peptides. The effect of bs-mAb-diDTPA-bs-mAb (DTPA is diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) bridging at the tumor cell surface on the internalization of the bs-mAb-diDTPA complex was investigated in SK-RC-52 tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS: The maximum uptake and retention of (125)I-labeled l-a.a. peptide in the tumor were significantly lower compared with that of the (111)In-labeled l-a.a. peptide. In contrast, the tumor uptake and retention of the (125)I-labeled d-a.a. peptide) were similar to that of the (111)In-labeled l-a.a. peptide but were superior at later time points. The biodistribution of the radioiodinated d-a.a. peptide was highly similar to that of the (111)In-labeled d-a.a. peptide, and both radiolabeled peptides were retained significantly better in the tumor than the (111)In-labeled l-a.a. peptide. bs-mAb-diDTPA-bs-mAb bridge formation did not affect internalization of the bs-mAb-diDTPA complex. CONCLUSION: Uptake and retention in the tumor of the iodinated peptide after pretargeting with a bs-mAb can be significantly improved using d-a.a. peptides. Accordingly, the radiation dose to the tumor, correlating with the therapeutic efficacy of pretargeted RCC, can be enhanced substantially.

Pretargeting with bispecific anti-renal cell carcinoma x anti-DTPA(In) antibody in 3 RCC models.

UNLABELLED: We have developed an efficient pretargeting strategy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on a biologically produced bispecific monoclonal antibody (bs-mAb). Tumor targeting with this 2-step pretargeting strategy in the NU-12 mouse RCC model was very efficient compared with other pretargeting strategies, possibly due to unique characteristics of the NU-12 tumor used in our studies. Here we describe the bs-mAb G250xDTIn-1 pretargeting strategy in 3 different RCC nude mouse models. METHODS: Three different human RCC xenografts in nude mice (NU-12, SK-RC-1, and SK-RC-52 tumors) were pretargeted with 100 pmol bs-mAb G250xDTIn-1. Three days after administration of the bs-mAb, mice were injected intravenously with 4 pmol 111In-labeled bivalent peptide, diDTPA-FKYK (DTPA is diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid). At 1, 4, 24, 48, and 72 h after injection of the radiolabeled peptide, the biodistribution of the radiolabel was determined. The 3 RCC tumors were characterized in vivo and in vitro for G250 antigen expression, vessel density, vascular volume, and vascular permeability and by targeting with 111In-/125I-labeled cG250 mAb. RESULTS: Using the pretargeting strategy, relatively high uptake of the radiolabel was observed in all 3 tumor models (maximum uptake: SK-RC-1 [278 +/- 130 %ID/g (percentage injected dose per gram), 1 h after injection] > NU-12 [93 +/- 41 %ID/g, 72 h after injection] > SK-RC-52 [54 +/- 9 %ID/g, 4 h after injection]). Remarkably, uptake of the radiolabel in the tumor did not correlate with G250 antigen expression. The kinetics of the radiolabel in the tumor varied largely in the 3 RCC tumors: SK-RC-1 and SK-RC-52 tumors showed a washout of the 111In label from the tumor with time: only 30% of the radiolabel was retained in the tumor 3 d after injection, whereas the 111In label was fully retained in NU-12 tumors. Physiologic characteristics (vessel density, vascular volume, and vascular permeability) of the tumors may explain these differences. CONCLUSION: G250 antigen-expressing tumors can be pretargeted very efficiently with the bs-mAb G250xDTIn-1. There was no correlation between G250 antigen expression and uptake of the radiolabel in the tumor using the pretargeting strategy or with directly labeled mAbs. Therefore, these studies show that physiologic characteristics of the tumor, such as vascular permeability, play a significant role in pretargeting.

Pretargeting with labeled bivalent peptides allowing the use of four radionuclides: (111)In, (131)I, (99m)Tc, and (188)Re.

PURPOSE: The therapeutic effect of directly labeled antibodies in solid tumors is limited, mainly due to the relatively low uptake of the radiolabeled antibody in tumors as compared with their blood level. In previous studies, we have shown that renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be targeted very effectively with the (111)In-labeled bivalent peptide di-diethylenetriamminepentaacetic acid diDTPA-FKYK, after pretargeting the tumor with a bispecific antibody. In this study, we further developed this pretargeting approach for radioimmunotherapy of renal cell cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Pretargeting with the biologically produced anti-RCC x anti-DTPA bispecific monoclonal antibody (bsMAb G250xDTIn1) was tested in mice with SK-RC-52 RCC tumors. Tumors were pretargeted with 15 micro g of bispecific monoclonal antibody G250xDTIn1, and 24 h later, mice received 6 ng of the radiolabeled bivalent peptide. Two different peptides were used: (a) diDTPA-FKYK labeled with (111)In or (131)I; and (b) thiosemicarbonylglyoxylcysteinyl-diDTPA(In)-KYKK labeled with (99m)Tc or (188)Re. Mice were killed 6, 24, 48, and 72 h postinjection (p.i.), and biodistribution of the radiolabel was determined. RESULTS: The (111)In-labeled peptide showed excellent tumor uptake [42.6 +/- 7.3% injected dose/gram (ID/g) at 6 h p.i. and 25.6 +/- 7.7% ID/g at 72 h p.i.] and tumor:blood ratios (700 at 72 h p.i.). The specific tumor targeting of (188)Re- and (99m)Tc-labeled peptides was similar (20-25% ID/g, 6 h p.i.). However, the uptake and the retention in the tumor of the (99m)Tc- and (188)Re-labeled peptide were significantly lower than those of the (111)In-labeled peptide. Tumor uptake of the (131)I-labeled peptide was significantly lower as compared with the other three radiolabeled peptides; furthermore, an almost complete washout of the radiolabel from the tumor over time was observed (14.5 +/- 4.9% ID/g at 6 h p.i. and 0.33 +/- 0.15% ID/g at 72 h p.i.). CONCLUSIONS: Using a newly developed bivalent peptide, this pretargeting approach can now be used for targeting with the matched pair (188)Re and (99m)Tc.

Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy of cancer: progress step by step.

To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of radioimmunotherapy of cancer, several pretargeting strategies have been developed. In pretargeted radioimmunotherapy, the tumor is pretargeted with an antibody construct that has affinity for the tumor-associated antigen on the one hand and for a radiolabeled hapten on the other. The radiolabeled hapten is administered in a later phase, preferably after the antibody construct has cleared from the circulation. In pretargeted radioimmunotherapy, 2 main approaches can be distinguished: pretargeting strategies based on the avid interaction between streptavidin (SA) or avidin and biotin, and pretargeting strategies based on the use of bispecific antibodies. In pretargeting strategies based on biotin and SA or avidin, the use of a clearing agent that could remove the pretargeting construct from the circulation markedly improved the targeting of the radiolabeled biotin to the tumor. Thus, multistep injection schemes in which 3-5 different agents are subsequently injected were developed. In bispecific antibody-based pretargeting strategies, the use of bivalent haptens improved the efficacy of the tumor targeting, and a 2-step pretargeted radioimmunotherapy strategy is now being tested in cancer patients. Preclinical studies as well as studies on cancer patients have shown that these pretargeting strategies can result in higher radiation doses to the tumor than can directly radiolabeled antitumor antibodies. Here, the development and state of the art of the most effective approaches for pretargeted radioimmunotherapy are reviewed.

Comparison of IgG and F(ab')2 fragments of bispecific anti-RCCxanti-DTIn-1 antibody for pretargeting purposes.

PURPOSE: An effective pretargeting strategy was developed for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on a biologically produced bispecific monoclonal antibody: anti-RCCxanti-DTPA(In) (bsMAb: G250xDTIn-1). Tumour uptake of a (111)In-labelled bivalent peptide after pretargeting with bsMAb G250xDTIn-1 was relatively high compared with that in other pretargeting systems using chemically coupled F(ab')(2) fragments. Here, we investigated the effect of the bsMAb form in the pretargeting strategy. METHODS: To determine the optimal interval between the administration of each of the bsMAb forms and the (111)In-labelled bivalent peptide, the biodistribution of the radioiodinated bsMAb forms was studied in athymic mice with subcutaneous SK-RC-1 RCC tumours. Since tumour targeting of the radiolabelled peptide depends on the bsMAb form and dose, a bsMAb dose escalation study was carried out for both bsMAb forms. Under optimised conditions, the biodistribution of the (111)In label in mice with pretargeted RCC was determined from 4 h up to 7 days p.i. RESULTS: The optimal interval between the two administrations was 72 h for the bsMAb IgG and 4 h for the bsMAb F(ab')(2). The optimal bsMAb dose for intact IgG was 67 pmol and the optimal bsMAb F(ab')(2) dose was 200 pmol. Targeting of the pretargeted RCC with 4 pmol (111)In-labelled bivalent peptide revealed high tumour uptake with both bsMAb forms. CONCLUSION: With the pretargeting strategy, using either bsMAb IgG or bsMAb F(ab')(2), very efficient peptide targeting of the tumour was obtained. Uptake and retention of the radiolabel in the tumour with the pretargeting approach are not affected by the bsMAb form used.