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Molecular imaging of EGFR/HER2 cancer biomarkers by protein MRI contrast agents. J Biol Inorg Chem 2013; 19:259-70. [PMID: 24366655 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-013-1076-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 are major prognosis biomarkers and drug targets overexpressed in various types of cancer cells. There is a pressing need to develop MRI contrast agents capable of enhancing the contrast between normal tissues and tumors with high relaxivity, capable of targeting tumors, and with high intratumoral distribution and minimal toxicity. In this review, we first discuss EGFR signaling and its role in tumor progression as a major drug target. We then report our progress in the development of protein contrast agents with significant improvement of both r1 and r2 relaxivities, pharmacokinetics, in vivo retention time, and in vivo dose efficiency. Finally, we report our effort in the development of EGFR-targeted protein contrast agents with the capability to cross the endothelial boundary and with good tissue distribution across the entire tumor mass. The noninvasive capability of MRI to visualize spatially and temporally the intratumoral distribution as well as quantify the levels of EGFR and HER2 would greatly improve our ability to track changes of the biomarkers during tumor progression, monitor treatment efficacy, aid in patient selection, and further develop novel targeted therapies for clinical application.
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Qiao J, Li S, Wei L, Jiang J, Long R, Mao H, Wei L, Wang L, Yang H, Grossniklaus HE, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. HER2 targeted molecular MR imaging using a de novo designed protein contrast agent. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18103. [PMID: 21455310 PMCID: PMC3063795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to non-invasively assess disease biomarkers has been hampered by the lack of desired contrast agents with high relaxivity, targeting capability, and optimized pharmacokinetics. We have developed a novel MR imaging probe targeting to HER2, a biomarker for various cancer types and a drug target for anti-cancer therapies. This multimodal HER20targeted MR imaging probe integrates a de novo designed protein contrast agent with a high affinity HER2 affibody and a near IR fluorescent dye. Our probe can differentially monitor tumors with different expression levels of HER2 in both human cell lines and xenograft mice models. In addition to its 100-fold higher dose efficiency compared to clinically approved non-targeting contrast agent DTPA, our developed agent also exhibits advantages in crossing the endothelial boundary, tissue distribution, and tumor tissue retention over reported contrast agents as demonstrated by even distribution of the imaging probe across the entire tumor mass. This contrast agent will provide a powerful tool for quantitative assessment of molecular markers, and improved resolution for diagnosis, prognosis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjuan Qiao
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Shunyi Li
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lixia Wei
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robert Long
- Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hui Mao
- Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Liya Wang
- Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hans E. Grossniklaus
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZL); (JJY)
| | - Jenny J. Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZL); (JJY)
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Retsky M, Demicheli R, Hrushesky W, Baum M, Gukas I. Surgery triggers outgrowth of latent distant disease in breast cancer: an inconvenient truth? Cancers (Basel) 2010; 2:305-37. [PMID: 24281072 PMCID: PMC3835080 DOI: 10.3390/cancers2020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We review our work over the past 14 years that began when we were first confronted with bimodal relapse patterns in two breast cancer databases from different countries. These data were unexplainable with the accepted continuous tumor growth paradigm. To explain these data, we proposed that metastatic breast cancer growth commonly includes periods of temporary dormancy at both the single cell phase and the avascular micrometastasis phase. We also suggested that surgery to remove the primary tumor often terminates dormancy resulting in accelerated relapses. These iatrogenic events are apparently very common in that over half of all metastatic relapses progress in that manner. Assuming this is true, there should be ample and clear evidence in clinical data. We review here the breast cancer paradigm from a variety of historical, clinical, and scientific perspectives and consider how dormancy and surgery-driven escape from dormancy would be observed and what this would mean. Dormancy can be identified in these diverse data but most conspicuous is the sudden synchronized escape from dormancy following primary surgery. On the basis of our findings, we suggest a new paradigm for early stage breast cancer. We also suggest a new treatment that is meant to stabilize and preserve dormancy rather than attempt to kill all cancer cells as is the present strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Retsky
- Harvard School of Public Health, BLDG I, Rm 1311, 665 Huntington, Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Romano Demicheli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milano, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - William Hrushesky
- University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Michael Baum
- Royal Free and UCL Medical School, Centre for Clinical Science and Technology, Clerkenwell Building, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London, N19 5LW, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Isaac Gukas
- Breast Unit, Department of General Surgery, James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, UK; E-Mail:
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Tagliabue E, Balsari A, Campiglio M, Pupa SM. HER2 as a target for breast cancer therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2010; 10:711-24. [DOI: 10.1517/14712591003689972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Baum M. Does the act of surgery provoke activation of "latent" metastases in early breast cancer? Breast Cancer Res 2004; 6:160-1. [PMID: 15217487 PMCID: PMC468671 DOI: 10.1186/bcr902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper is written in support of the challenging article by Retsky and colleagues in this issue of Breast Cancer Research, and develops on the idea that the act of surgery can provoke the outgrowth of dormant micrometastases, which often leads to the failure of screening to deliver its promise. The therapeutic consequence of this idea involves the use of antiangiogenic drugs before surgery.
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Abstract
Overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER2) oncogene in human breast carcinomas has been associated with a more aggressive course of disease. The reason for this association is still unclear, although it has been suggested to rest in increased proliferation, vessel formation, and/or invasiveness. Alternatively, prognosis may not be directly related to the presence of the oncoprotein on the cell membrane, but instead to the breast carcinoma subset identified by HER2 overexpression and characterized by a peculiar gene expression profile. HER2 has also been associated with sensitivity to anthracyclins and resistance to endocrine therapy, suggesting that tyrosine kinase receptor and hormone receptor pathways represent two major proliferation pathways exclusively active in breast carcinomas, one sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs and the other to antiestrogens. HER2 currently represents one of the most appropriate targets for specific therapy. Indeed, trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the extracellular domain of HER2, is therapeutically active in HER2-positive breast carcinomas. However, a consistent number of HER2-positive tumors is not responsive to HER2-driven therapy, indicating the need for a better understanding of the mechanism of action of this new biological drug in vivo. While preclinical studies suggest antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity as the major mechanism, determination of NK activity at the time of treatment remains mandatory, especially in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs. The efficacy of prophylactic vaccination has been fully demonstrated in preclinical models, whereas ongoing studies of active immunotherapy using a variety of vaccination regimens against HER2 in tumor-bearing mice and patients have met with only moderate success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Ménard
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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