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Dalm S, Duan H, Iagaru A. Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptors-targeted PET Diagnostics and Radionuclide Therapy for Prostate Cancer Management: Preclinical and Clinical Developments of the Past 5 Years. PET Clin 2024:S1556-8598(24)00019-1. [PMID: 38644111 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Each tumor has its own distinctive molecular identity. Treatment, therefore, should be tailored to this unique cancer phenotype. Theragnostics uses the same compound for targeted imaging and treatment, radiolabeled to an appropriate radionuclide, respectively. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in prostate cancer, and radiolabeled GRPR antagonists have shown high diagnostic performance at staging and biochemical recurrence. Several GRPR-targeting theragnostic compounds have been developed preclinically. Their translation into clinics is underway with 4 clinical trials recruiting participants with GRPR-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Dalm
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Heying Duan
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2200, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrei Iagaru
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2200, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Kanellopoulos P, Mattsson A, Abouzayed A, Obeid K, Nock BA, Tolmachev V, Maina T, Orlova A. Preclinical evaluation of new GRPR-antagonists with improved metabolic stability for radiotheranostic use in oncology. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2024; 9:13. [PMID: 38366299 PMCID: PMC10873254 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) has been extensively studied as a biomolecular target for peptide-based radiotheranostics. However, the lack of metabolic stability and the rapid clearance of peptide radioligands, including radiolabeled GRPR-antagonists, often impede clinical application. Aiming at circumventing these drawbacks, we have designed three new GRPR-antagonist radioligands using [99mTc]Tc-DB15 ([99mTc]Tc-N4-AMA-DIG-DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Sar-His-Leu-NHEt; AMA: p-aminomethylaniline; DIG: diglycolate) as a motif, due to its high GRPR-affinity and stability to neprilysin (NEP). The new analogues carry the DOTAGA-chelator (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-glutaric acid-4,7,10-triacetic acid) through different linkers at the N-terminus to allow for labeling with the theranostic radionuclide pair In-111/Lu-177. After labeling with In-111 the following radioligands were evaluated: (i) [111In]In-AU-SAR-M1 ([111In]In-DOTAGA-AMA-DIG-DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Sar-His-Leu-NHEt), (ii) [111In]In-AU-SAR-M2 ([111In]In-[DOTAGA-Arg]AU-SAR-M1) and (iii) [111In]In-AU-SAR-M3 ([111In]In-[DOTAGA-DArg]AU-SAR-M1). RESULTS These radioligands were compared in a series of in vitro assays using prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells and in murine models. They all displayed high and GRPR-specific uptake in PC-3 cells. Analysis of mice blood collected 5 min post-injection (pi) revealed similar or even higher metabolic stability of the new radioligands compared with [99mTc]Tc-DB15. The stability could be further increased when the mice were treated with Entresto® to in situ induce NEP-inhibition. In PC-3 xenograft-bearing mice, [111In]In-AU-SAR-M1 displayed the most favourable biodistribution profile, combining a good tumor retention with the highest tumor-to-organ ratios, with the kidneys as the dose-limiting organ. CONCLUSIONS These findings strongly point at AU-SAR-M1 as a promising radiotherapeutic candidate when labeled with Lu-177, or other medically appealing therapeutic radiometals, especially when combined with in situ NEP-inhibition. To this goal further investigations are currently pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Kanellopoulos
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341, Athens, Greece
| | - Adam Mattsson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ayman Abouzayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karim Obeid
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Berthold A Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341, Athens, Greece
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75237, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Rodnick ME, Sollert C, Parr DC, Frigell J, Gagnon K, Scott PJH. Preparation of [ 68Ga]GaCl 3 Using a Cyclotron. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2729:55-64. [PMID: 38006491 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3499-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals, including a number of regulatory approvals for clinical use, has created a hitherto unprecedented demand for 68Ga. Reliable access to enough 68Ga to meet growing clinical demand using only 68Ge/68Ga generators has been problematic in recent years. To address this challenge, we have optimized the direct production of 68Ga on a cyclotron via the 68Zn(p,n)68Ga reaction using a liquid target. This protocol describes the cyclotron-based production of [68Ga]GaCl3 implemented at the University of Michigan using a liquid target on GE PETtrace instrumentation. The protocol provides 56 ± 4 mCi (n = 3) of [68Ga]GaCl3 that meets the necessary quality control criteria to use for the preparation of 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jens Frigell
- GE Healthcare, GEMS PET Systems, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Peter J H Scott
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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D’Onofrio A, Engelbrecht S, Läppchen T, Rominger A, Gourni E. GRPR-targeting radiotheranostics for breast cancer management. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1250799. [PMID: 38020178 PMCID: PMC10657217 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1250799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common cancer worldwide and, despite the advancements made toward early diagnosis and novel treatments, there is an urgent need to reduce its mortality. The Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRPR) is a promising target for the development of theranostic radioligands for luminal BC with positive estrogen receptor (ER) expression, because GRPR is expressed not only in primary lesions but also in lymph nodes and distant metastasis. In the last decades, several GRPR-targeting molecules have been evaluated both at preclinical and clinical level, however, most of the studies have been focused on prostate cancer (PC). Nonetheless, given the relevance of non-invasive diagnosis and potential treatment of BC through Peptide Receptor Radioligand Therapy (PRRT), this review aims at collecting the available preclinical and clinical data on GRPR-targeting radiopeptides for the imaging and therapy of BC, to better understand the current state-of-the-art and identify future perspectives and possible limitations to their clinical translation. In fact, since luminal-like tumors account for approximately 80% of all BC, many BC patients are likely to benefit from the development of GRPR-radiotheranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eleni Gourni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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The SMARCD Family of SWI/SNF Accessory Proteins Is Involved in the Transcriptional Regulation of Androgen Receptor-Driven Genes and Plays a Role in Various Essential Processes of Prostate Cancer. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010124. [PMID: 36611918 PMCID: PMC9818446 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated an involvement of chromatin-remodelling SWI/SNF complexes in the development of prostate cancer, suggesting both tumor suppressor and oncogenic activities. SMARCD1/BAF60A, SMARCD2/BAF60B, and SMARCD3/BAF60C are mutually exclusive accessory subunits that confer functional specificity and are components of all known SWI/SNF subtypes. To assess the role of SWI/SNF in prostate tumorigenesis, we studied the functions and functional relations of the SMARCD family members. Performing RNA-seq in LnCAP cells grown in the presence or absence of dihydrotestosterone, we found that the SMARCD proteins are involved in the regulation of numerous hormone-dependent AR-driven genes. Moreover, we demonstrated that all SMARCD proteins can regulate AR-downstream targets in androgen-depleted cells, suggesting an involvement in the progression to castration-resistance. However, our approach also revealed a regulatory role for SMARCD proteins through antagonization of AR-signalling. We further demonstrated that the SMARCD proteins are involved in several important cellular processes such as the maintenance of cellular morphology and cytokinesis. Taken together, our findings suggest that the SMARCD proteins play an important, yet paradoxical, role in prostate carcinogenesis. Our approach also unmasked the complex interplay of paralogue SWI/SNF proteins that must be considered for the development of safe and efficient therapies targeting SWI/SNF.
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Gorica J, De Feo MS, Filippi L, Frantellizzi V, Schillaci O, De Vincentis G. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor agonists and antagonists for molecular imaging of breast and prostate cancer: from pre-clinical studies to translational perspectives. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:991-996. [PMID: 36369779 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2145187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate and breast cancer represent a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide with a dramatic social and demographic impact. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs), part of the bombesin (BBN) family, have been found overexpressed in both the aforementioned malignancies, and have emerged as a potentially useful target to combine imaging and therapy in a unique, synergistic approach, namely 'theranostics.' AREAS COVERED The biological characteristics of GRPRs, as well as their aberrant expression in breast and prostate cancer, are covered. Furthermore, the role of the different available GRPR agonists and antagonists, labeled with radionuclides suitable for molecular imaging through single photon computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission computed (PET/CT), is reviewed, with a particular focus on the potential theranostic implications. EXPERT OPINION GRPR-targeted molecular imaging of breast and prostate cancer gave promising results in pre-clinical studies. Notably, GRPRs' expression was found to be inversely correlated with disease progression in both prostate and breast cancer. Among the different GRPR agonists and antagonists applied as imaging probes, RM26 presented particularly interesting applications, with meaningful theranostic potential, but its diagnostic performance resulted highly influenced by the choice of the chelator-radionuclide complex, being long-life radionuclides more suitable for obtaining high-contrast imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Gorica
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomo-Pathology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Silvia De Feo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomo-Pathology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Filippi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy
| | - Viviana Frantellizzi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomo-Pathology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Orazio Schillaci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Vincentis
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomo-Pathology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Kurth J, Potratz M, Heuschkel M, Krause BJ, Schwarzenböck SM. GRPr Theranostics: Current Status of Imaging and Therapy using GRPr Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals. Nuklearmedizin 2022; 61:247-261. [PMID: 35668669 DOI: 10.1055/a-1759-4189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Addressing molecular targets, that are overexpressed by various tumor entities, using radiolabeled molecules for a combined diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) approach is of increasing interest in oncology. The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr), which is part of the bombesin family, has shown to be overexpressed in a variety of tumors, therefore, serving as a promising target for those theranostic applications. A large amount of differently radiolabeled bombesin derivatives addressing the GRPr have been evaluated in the preclinical as well as clinical setting showing fast blood clearance and urinary excretion with selective GRPr-binding. Most of the available studies on GRPr-targeted imaging and therapy have evaluated the theranostic approach in prostate and breast cancer applying bombesin derivatives tagged with the predominantly used theranostic pair of 68Ga/177Lu which is the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kurth
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Madlin Potratz
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martin Heuschkel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Bernd J Krause
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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Demystifying solid targets: Simple and rapid distribution-scale production of [ 68Ga]GaCl 3 and [ 68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. Nucl Med Biol 2021; 104-105:1-10. [PMID: 34763197 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the demand for 68Ga continues to grow, there is increasing interest in single-to-multi-Curie production quantities of both [68Ga]GaCl3 and tracers such as [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. While such quantities are possible with solid targets, this implementation is often challenging as it typically requires significant site expertise for solid target processing and careful operator-dependent synchronization of multiple independent time-sensitive chemistry steps. Herein we focus on a fully automated solid target production and purification process whereby we avoid the need for tongs/tele-pliers, and have simplified the chemistry by implementing a single sequence (i.e. "time-list") to execute cassette-based dissolution, purification, and labeling. METHODS Electroplated 68Zn was irradiated in a PETtrace prototype automated solid target system. Following irradiation, and using a single FASTlab time-list, the 68Zn was automatically dissolved with HCl/H2O2 and purified as [68Ga]GaCl3 using a combination of resins (ZR/TK400, A8, TK200: Triskem). For select experiments, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 was also produced on the same cassette/single time-list (N = 4), or, by kit labeling (N = 1). Efforts focused towards on-cassette production of [68Ga]GaCl3 strived to maximize activity and quality, whereas efforts focused towards on-cassette production of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 aimed at limiting the entire production cycle to 1 h including the irradiation time (i.e. start-of-bombardment ➔ end-of-synthesis [EOS]). RESULTS For the high activity triplicate [68Ga]GaCl3 productions (i.e. 80 μA, 102 min, 216 ± 10 mg), [68Ga]GaCl3 was purified (end-of-bombardment ➔ end-of-purification [EOP]) in ~28 min with activity yields of 181 ± 8 GBq at EOP and average radiochemical yields of 66 ± 5%. Average AMAs of 2.26 ± 0.16 TBq/μmol using DOTA (N = 3) and 12.00 TBq/μmol using HBED (PSMA-11) (N = 1) at EOP were measured. For the single kit test, (80 μA, 120 min, 263 mg 68Zn) for which 18 mg ascorbic acid was added to the buffer, 199 GBq of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 was successfully produced (thin layer chromatography-based radiochemical purity >99% at 6 h EOS). Finally, for efforts focused at expedient [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, up to 42 GBq [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 with a radiochemical yield of 51.2% was produced in 63 min, including beamtime, using 220 mg of 68Zn as target material. CONCLUSION With the goal of simplifying solid target production and purification efforts, automated methods using single-use, cassette-based approaches for rapid, large-scale, single time-list production of [68Ga]GaCl3 and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 were developed. These methods were simple to execute and yielded high quality multi-Curie levels of both [68Ga]GaCl3 and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11.
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Gower-Fry L, Kronemann T, Dorian A, Pu Y, Jaworski C, Wängler C, Bartenstein P, Beyer L, Lindner S, Jurkschat K, Wängler B, Bailey JJ, Schirrmacher R. Recent Advances in the Clinical Translation of Silicon Fluoride Acceptor (SiFA) 18F-Radiopharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070701. [PMID: 34358127 PMCID: PMC8309031 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The incorporation of silicon fluoride acceptor (SiFA) moieties into a variety of molecules, such as peptides, proteins and biologically relevant small molecules, has improved the generation of 18F-radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging. The efficient isotopic exchange radiofluorination process, in combination with the enhanced [18F]SiFA in vivo stability, make it a suitable strategy for fluorine-18 incorporation. This review will highlight the clinical applicability of [18F]SiFA-labeled compounds and discuss the significant radiotracers currently in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexi Gower-Fry
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Travis Kronemann
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Andreas Dorian
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Yinglan Pu
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Carolin Jaworski
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Carmen Wängler
- Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Leonie Beyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Simon Lindner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Klaus Jurkschat
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, Technische Universität Dortmund, 44227 Dortmund, Germany;
| | - Björn Wängler
- Molecular Imaging and Radiochemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Justin J. Bailey
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Ralf Schirrmacher
- Department of Oncology, Division of Oncological Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (L.G.-F.); (T.K.); (A.D.); (Y.P.); (C.J.); (J.J.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Oroujeni M, Xu T, Gagnon K, Rinne SS, Weis J, Garousi J, Andersson KG, Löfblom J, Orlova A, Tolmachev V. The Use of a Non-Conventional Long-Lived Gallium Radioisotope 66Ga Improves Imaging Contrast of EGFR Expression in Malignant Tumours Using DFO-ZEGFR:2377 Affibody Molecule. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020292. [PMID: 33672373 PMCID: PMC7926986 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many malignancies. EGFR-targeted therapy extends survival of patients with disseminated cancers. Radionuclide molecular imaging of EGFR expression would make EGFR-directed treatment more personalized and therefore more efficient. A previous study demonstrated that affibody molecule [68Ga]Ga-DFO-ZEGFR:2377 permits specific positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging of EGFR expression in xenografts at 3 h after injection. We anticipated that imaging at 24 h after injection would provide higher contrast, but this is prevented by the short half-life of 68Ga (67.6 min). Here, we therefore tested the hypothesis that the use of the non-conventional long-lived positron emitter 66Ga (T1/2 = 9.49 h, β+ = 56.5%) would permit imaging with higher contrast. 66Ga was produced by the 66Zn(p,n)66Ga nuclear reaction and DFO-ZEGFR:2377 was efficiently labelled with 66Ga with preserved binding specificity in vitro and in vivo. At 24 h after injection, [66Ga]Ga-DFO-ZEGFR:2377 provided 3.9-fold higher tumor-to-blood ratio and 2.3-fold higher tumor-to-liver ratio than [68Ga]Ga-DFO-ZEGFR:2377 at 3 h after injection. At the same time point, [66Ga]Ga-DFO-ZEGFR:2377 provided 1.8-fold higher tumor-to-blood ratio, 3-fold higher tumor-to-liver ratio, 1.9-fold higher tumor-to-muscle ratio and 2.3-fold higher tumor-to-bone ratio than [89Zr]Zr-DFO-ZEGFR:2377. Biodistribution data were confirmed by whole body PET combined with magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI). The use of the positron emitter 66Ga for labelling of DFO-ZEGFR:2377 permits PET imaging of EGFR expression at 24 h after injection and improves imaging contrast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Oroujeni
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.O.); (T.X.); (J.G.)
| | - Tianqi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.O.); (T.X.); (J.G.)
| | - Katherine Gagnon
- GE Healthcare, GEMS PET Systems, 75015 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.S.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Sara S. Rinne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.S.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Jan Weis
- Department of Medical Physics, Uppsala University Hospital, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Javad Garousi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.O.); (T.X.); (J.G.)
| | - Ken G. Andersson
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.A.); (J.L.)
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.A.); (J.L.)
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.S.R.); (A.O.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.O.); (T.X.); (J.G.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Correspondence:
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