Radiometal-Dependent Biological Profile of the Radiolabeled Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Antagonist SB3 in Cancer Theranostics: Metabolic and Biodistribution Patterns Defined by Neprilysin.

Recent advances in oncology involve the use of diagnostic/therapeutic radionuclide-carrier pairs that target cancer cells, offering exciting opportunities for personalized patient treatment. Theranostic gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-directed radiopeptides have been proposed for the management of GRPR-expressing prostate and breast cancers. We have recently introduced the PET tracer 68Ga-SB3 (SB3, DOTA- p-aminomethylaniline-diglycolic acid-DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-NHEt), a receptor-radioantagonist that enables the visualization of GRPR-positive lesions in humans. Aiming to fully assess the theranostic potential of SB3, we herein report on the impact of switching 68Ga to 111In/177Lu-label on the biological properties of resulting radiopeptides. Notably, the bioavailability of 111In/177Lu-SB3 in mice drastically deteriorated compared with metabolically robust 68Ga-SB3, and as a result led to poorer 111In/177Lu-SB3 uptake in GRPR-positive PC-3 xenografts. The peptide cleavage sites were identified by chromatographic comparison of blood samples from mice intravenously receiving 111In/177Lu-SB3 with each of newly synthesized 111In/177Lu-SB3-fragments. Coinjection of the radioconjugates with the neprilysin (NEP)-inhibitor phosphoramidon led to full stabilization of 111In/177Lu-SB3 in peripheral mouse blood and resulted in markedly enhanced radiolabel uptake in the PC-3 tumors. In conclusion, in situ NEP-inhibition led to indistinguishable 68Ga/111In/177Lu-SB3 profiles in mice emphasizing the theranostic prospects of SB3 for clinical use.

New Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor-Directed [99mTc]Demobesin 1 Mimics: Synthesis and Comparative Evaluation.

We have previously reported on the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) antagonist [99mTc]1, ([99mTc]demobesin 1, 99mTc-[N4'-diglycolate-dPhe6,Leu-NHEt13]BBN(6-13)). [99mTc]1 has shown superior biological profile compared to analogous agonist-based 99mTc-radioligands. We herein present a small library of [99mTc]1 mimics generated after structural modifications in (a) the linker ([99mTc]2, [99mTc]3, [99mTc]4), (b) the peptide chain ([99mTc]5, [99mTc]6), and (c) the C-terminus ([99mTc]7 or [99mTc]8). The effects of above modifications on the biological properties of analogs were studied in PC-3 cells and tumor-bearing SCID mice. All analogs showed subnanomolar affinity for the human GRPR, while most receptor-affine 4 and 8 behaved as potent GRPR antagonists in a functional internalization assay. In mice bearing PC-3 tumors, [99mTc]1-[99mTc]6 exhibited GRPR-specific tumor uptake, rapidly clearing from normal tissues. [99mTc]4 displayed the highest tumor uptake (28.8 ± 4.1%ID/g at 1 h pi), which remained high even after 24 h pi (16.3 ± 1.8%ID/g), well surpassing that of [99mTc]1 (5.4 ± 0.7%ID/g at 24 h pi).

In vivo inhibition of neutral endopeptidase enhances the diagnostic potential of truncated gastrin (111)In-radioligands.

INTRODUCTION: Radiolabeled gastrin analogs represent attractive candidates for diagnosis and therapy of cholecystokinin subtype-2 receptor (CCK2R)-expressing tumors. Radiolabeled des(Glu)5-gastrins show favorably low renal accumulation, but localize poorly in CCK2R-positive lesions. We introduce herein three truncated [DOTA-DGlu(10)]gastrin(10-17) analogs, with oxidation-susceptible Met(15) replaced by: (1), (2), or (3), and study the profile of [(111)In]1/2/3 during in vivo inhibition of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in comparison to the non-truncated [ ([(111)In]4) reference. METHODS: Blood samples collected from mice 5 min postinjection (pi) of [(111)In]1/2/3/4 without or with phosphoramidon (PA) coinjection were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Biodistribution was conducted in SCID mice bearing A431-CCK2R(+) or AR42J xenografts 4h after administration of [(111)In]1/2/3/4 without or with PA coinjection. RESULTS: Firstly, we observed remarkable increases in the amount of radiopeptides detected intact in the blood of PA-treated mice at 5 min pi compared to controls. Secondly, we noted impressive enhancement of [(111)In]1/2/3 localization in AR42J and A431-CCK2R(+) tumors in mice after PA coinjection. Specifically, the uptake of [(111)In]1 at 4h pi increased from 2.6 ± 0.3%ID/g to 13.3 ± 3.5%ID/g in the AR42J tumors and from 4.3 ± 0.6%ID/g to 20.4 ± 3.6%ID/g in the A431-CCK2R(+) xenografts, with comparable improvements noted for [(111)In]2 and [(111)In]3 as well. Thirdly, renal uptake remained favorably low and unaffected by PA (<2.5%ID/g). Conversely, although the stability and tumor targeting of [(111)In]4 improved, its high renal uptake (>85%ID/g) increased even further by PA (>140%ID/g). CONCLUSIONS: In situ inhibition of NEP represents a promising new tool to enhance the diagnostic efficacy of biodegradable gastrin radioligands in the visualization of CCK2R-positive lesions in man.

Tumor diagnosis with new 111In-radioligands based on truncated human gastrin releasing peptide sequences: synthesis and preclinical comparison.

Radiolabeled analogs of the frog tetradecapeptide bombesin (BBN) have been proposed for diagnosis and therapy of gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-expressing tumors. Following a different and yet unexplored approach, we have developed four novel (111)In-labeled truncated analogs of the human 27-mer GRP after conjugation of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) at the N-terminus of GRP(13/14/17/18-27) fragments. Analog affinities for the human GRPR determined against [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BBN were at the nanomolar level and dependent on truncation site. The respective (111)In radioligands specifically internalized in GRPR-expressing PC-3 cells. The shorter chain [(111)In-DOTA]GRP(17/18-27) analogs showed higher metabolic stability in mice. Radioligands specifically localized in human PC-3 xenografts in SCID mice, with [(111)In-DOTA]GRP(17-27) exhibiting the most favorable pharmacokinetic profile. This study has demonstrated the efficacy of human GRP-based radiopeptides to target GRPR-positive lesions in vivo and has revealed the impact of GRP chain length on key biological parameters of resulting radiotracers.

99mTc radiotracers based on human GRP(18-27): synthesis and comparative evaluation.

UNLABELLED: Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) expressed on human tumors can serve as molecular targets for radiolabeled peptide analogs based on the frog tetradecapeptide bombesin (BBN). We have recently expanded this approach toward human GRP(18-27) sequences and introduced (99m)Tc-demomedin C, our first radiotracer based on GRP(18-27), showing favorable biologic characteristics during preclinical evaluation in rodents. We now present a series of (99m)Tc-demomedin C analogs, generated by single-Gly(24) or double-Gly(24)/Met(27) substitutions in the peptide chain, and compare their performance in GRPR-positive in vitro and in vivo models. METHODS: The SARNC ([(N4)Gly(18)]GRP(18-27)) analogs (SARNC2 dAla(24), SARNC3 dAla(24)/Nle(27), SARNC4 dAla(24)/Leu(27), SARNC5 ßAla(24), and SARNC6 Sar(24)) were synthesized on the solid support and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Competition binding experiments against [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BBN were conducted in GRPR-positive PC-3 cell membranes. Internalization of (99m)Tc radioligands was compared in PC-3 cells at 37°C. Metabolic stability was studied by HPLC analysis of blood samples collected 5 min after injection of radiopeptides in mice. Biodistribution was performed by injecting a (99m)Tc-SARNC bolus (185 kBq [5 µCi], 100 µL, 10 pmol of peptide ± 40 nmol of Tyr(4)-BBN: in vivo GRPR blockade) in severe combined immune deficient mice bearing PC-3 xenografts. RESULTS: SARNCs bound to GRPR with high affinity (range of 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] values, 0.3 nM [SARNC5] to 9.3 nM [SARNC4]). (99m)Tc-SARNCs specifically internalized in PC-3 cells, with (99m)Tc-SARNC5 displaying the fastest internalization rate. (99m)Tc-SARNCs showed distinct degradation rates (17% [(99m)Tc-SARNC3] to >50% [(99m)Tc-SARNC4] remaining intact). All (99m)Tc-SARNCs efficiently and specifically localized in GRPR-positive PC-3 xenografts in mice (4.4 percentage injected dose per gram [%ID/g] [(99m)Tc-SARNC4] to 12.0 %ID/g [(99m)Tc-SARNC2] at 4 h after injection). (99m)Tc-SARNC6 displayed the highest tumor-to-nontumor ratios followed by (99m)Tc-SARNC2. CONCLUSION: This structure-activity relationship study has shown the impact of single-Gly(24) or double-Gly(24)/Met(27) substitutions in the (99m)Tc-SARNC1 motif on key biologic parameters, including GRPR affinity, internalization efficiency, and in vivo stability, which eventually determine the pharmacokinetic profile of resulting radiopeptides. By revealing improved analogs, this study has strengthened the applicability perspectives of radioligands based on human GRP sequences in the detection and therapy of GRPR-expressing tumors in humans.

Cyclic minigastrin analogues for gastrin receptor scintigraphy with technetium-99m: preclinical evaluation.

Two cyclized minigastrin analogues for gastrin receptor scintigraphy were synthesized and derivatized with HYNIC at the N-terminus for labeling with 99mTc. Radiolabeling efficiency, stability, cell internalization, and receptor binding on CCK-2 receptor expressing AR42J cells were studied and the biodistribution evaluated in tumor bearing nude mice, including NanoSPECT/CT imaging. Metabolites in urine, liver, and kidneys were analyzed by radio-HPLC. Radiolabeled cyclic MG showed high stability in vitro and receptor mediated uptake in AR42J cells. In the animal tumor model, fast renal clearance and low nonspecific uptake in most organs were observed. A tumor uptake >3% was calculated ex vivo 1 h p.i. for both 99mTc-EDDA-HYNIC-cyclo-MG1 and 99mTc-EDDA-HYNIC-cyclo-MG2. In an imaging study with 99mTc-EDDA-HYNIC-cyclo-MG1, the tumor was clearly visualized. The metabolite analysis indicated rapid enzymatic degradation in vivo.