Radiolabeling antibodies with holmium-166

Multivalent ions and biomolecules: Attempting a comprehensive perspective

Ions are ubiquitous in nature. They play a key role for many biological processes on the molecular scale, from molecular interactions, to mechanical properties, to folding, to self-organisation and assembly, to reaction equilibria, to signalling, to energy and material transport, to recognition etc. Going beyond monovalent ions to multivalent ions, the effects of the ions are frequently not only stronger (due to the obviously higher charge), but qualitatively different. A typical example is the process of binding of multivalent ions, such as Ca2+ , to a macromolecule and the consequences of this ion binding such as compaction, collapse, potential charge inversion and precipitation of the macromolecule. Here we review these effects and phenomena induced by multivalent ions for biological (macro)molecules, from the "atomistic/molecular" local picture of (potentially specific) interactions to the more global picture of phase behaviour including, e. g., crystallisation, phase separation, oligomerisation etc. Rather than attempting an encyclopedic list of systems, we rather aim for an embracing discussion using typical case studies. We try to cover predominantly three main classes: proteins, nucleic acids, and amphiphilic molecules including interface effects. We do not cover in detail, but make some comparisons to, ion channels, colloidal systems, and synthetic polymers. While there are obvious differences in the behaviour of, and the relevance of multivalent ions for, the three main classes of systems, we also point out analogies. Our attempt of a comprehensive discussion is guided by the idea that there are not only important differences and specific phenomena with regard to the effects of multivalent ions on the main systems, but also important similarities. We hope to bridge physico-chemical mechanisms, concepts of soft matter, and biological observations and connect the different communities further.

Tuning phase transitions of aqueous protein solutions by multivalent cations

In the presence of trivalent cations, negatively charged globular proteins show a rich phase behaviour including reentrant condensation, crystallisation, clustering and lower critical solution temperature metastable liquid-liquid phase separation (LCST-LLPS). Here, we present a systematic study on how different multivalent cations can be employed to tune the interactions and the associated phase behaviour of proteins. We focus our investigations on the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the presence of HoCl3, LaCl3 and YCl3. Using UV-Vis spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we find that the interprotein attraction induced by Ho3+ is very strong, while the one induced by La3+ is comparatively weak when comparing the data to BSA-Y3+ systems based on our previous work. Using zeta potential and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements, we establish different binding affinities of cations to BSA with Ho3+ having the highest one. We propose that a combination of different cation features such as radius, polarisability and in particular hydration effects determine the protein-protein interaction induced by these cations. Our findings imply that subtle differences in cation properties can be a sensitive tool to fine-tune protein-protein interactions and phase behaviour in solution.

Preclinical evaluation of holmium-166 labeled anti-VEGF-A(Bevacizumab)

Radiolabeled antiangiogenic monoclonal antibodies are potential agents for targeted therapy in specific types of malignancies. In this study, (166)Ho-DOTA-Bevacizumab was used in biodistribution studies using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to acquire dosimetric aspects of the radiolabeled antibody in mice. The liver toxicity of the radiolabeled antibody was also determined using serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase assay 2-7 days post-injection. The SPECT biodistribution demonstrated a similar pattern as the other radiolabeled anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) immunoconjugates. (166)Ho-DOTA-Bevacizumab was revealed as a potential compound for therapy/imaging of VEGF-A expression in oncology.

Preparation and quality control of 166 Ho-DTPA-antiCD20 for radioimmunotherapy

In this work, anti-CD20 was successively labeled with beta-particle emitting radionuclide, Ho-166, for ultimate radioimmunotherapy applications. Ho-166 chloride was obtained by thermal neutron flux (1×1013 n cm−2 s−1) of natural Ho2(NO3)3 sample, dissolved in acidic media. 166Ho-holmium chloride (185 MBq) was added to the conjugated antibody after ccDTPA residulation at room temperature. Radiochemical purity of 95% (ITLC) and 98% (HPLC) were obtained for final radioimmunoconjugate (specific activity =3–3.5 GBq/mg). The final isotonic 166Ho-rituximab complex was checked by gel electrophoresis for protein integrity retention. Biodistribution studies of Ho-166 chloride and radioimmunoconjugate were performed in wild-type rats to determine the biodistribution. The accumulation of the radiolabeled antibody in lungs, liver and spleen demonstrates a similar pattern to the other radiolabeled anti-CD20 immunoconjugates.

Biological evaluation of 153Sm and 166Ho complexes with tetraazamacrocycles containing methylcarboxylate and/or methylphosphonate pendant arms

153Sm and 166Ho complexes with two series of tetraazamacrocyclic ligands containing methylcarboxylate and/or methylphosphonate pendant arms were synthesized and their charge, lipophilicity, protein binding and in vitro and in vivo behaviour evaluated. The first series has the same backbone, a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle containing a pyridine unit with different pendant arms, namely methylcarboxylates (ac3py14) or methylphosphonates (MeP2py14 and P3py14). The second series comprises 12- to 14-membered tetraazamacrocycles having methylcarboxylates and/or methylphosphonates as pendant arms (trans-DO2A2P, TRITA, TRITP, TETA and TETP). The 153Sm/166Ho complexes with the 14-membered tetraazamacrocycles containing the pyridine unit are neutral, hydrophilic, have a significant plasmatic protein binding, are unstable in vivo and present a slow rate of radioactivity excretion and high hepatic retention. 153Sm/166Ho complexes with the 12- to 14-membered tetraazamacrocycles are quantitatively prepared, except those with TETP. These complexes are hydrophilic, have an overall negative charge and present a medium to low plasmatic protein binding.

The 153Sm/166Ho- trans-DO2A2P, 153Sm/166Ho-TRITA and 166Ho-TRITP complexes are stable in vitro and in vivo, presenting a rapid clearance from main organs and a high rate of whole body radioactivity excretion. Biological profile of 153Sm/166Ho-TRITA complexes makes them promising candidates for therapy when conjugated to a biomolecule, while 166Ho-TRITP is potentially useful for bone targeting due to its considerable uptake by bone.

Purification and activity standardisation of a (166m)Ho solution

As part of a project to use the long-lived (T(1/2)=1200a) (166m)Ho as reference source in its reference ionisation chamber, IRA standardised a commercially acquired solution of this nuclide using the 4pibeta-gamma coincidence and 4pigamma (NaI) methods. The (166m)Ho solution supplied by Isotope Product Laboratories was measured to have about 5% Europium impurities (3% (154)Eu, 0.94% (152)Eu and 0.9% (155)Eu). Holmium had therefore to be separated from europium, and this was carried out by means of ion-exchange chromatography. The holmium fractions were collected without europium contamination: 162h long HPGe gamma measurements indicated no europium impurity (detection limits of 0.01% for (152)Eu and (154)Eu, and 0.03% for (155)Eu). The primary measurement of the purified (166m)Ho solution with the 4pi (PC) beta-gamma coincidence technique was carried out at three gamma energy settings: a window around the 184.4keV peak and gamma thresholds at 121.8 and 637.3keV. The results show very good self-consistency, and the activity concentration of the solution was evaluated to be 45.640+/-0.098kBq/g (0.21% with k=1). The activity concentration of this solution was also measured by integral counting with a well-type 5''x5'' NaI(Tl) detector and efficiencies computed by Monte Carlo simulations using the GEANT code. These measurements were mutually consistent, while the resulting weighted average of the 4pi NaI(Tl) method was found to agree within 0.15% with the result of the 4pibeta-gamma coincidence technique. An ampoule of this solution and the measured value of the concentration were submitted to the BIPM as a contribution to the Système International de Référence.

Dead cells in melanoma tumors provide abundant antigen for targeted delivery of ionizing radiation by a mAb to melanin

Melanoma is a cancer with a rising incidence, and metastatic disease is almost always lethal. We investigated the feasibility of targeting melanin, an intracellular melanocyte pigment, to deliver cytotoxic radiation to human melanoma cells in vivo by using a melanin-binding mAb (6D2). Nude mice bearing MNT1 pigmented human melanoma tumors were treated with mAb 6D2 labeled with 1.5 mCi (1 Ci = 37 GBq) of the beta-emitter 188-Rhenium (188Re) and manifested inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged survival. mAb 6D2 bound tumor melanin and demonstrated no crossreactivity with normal melanized tissues in black mice. The mechanism of melanin targeting involved Ab binding to extracellular melanin released during tumor cell turnover or to dying cells with permeable membranes. In this approach, the cytotoxic radiation emanating from labeled Ab bound to melanin is presumably delivered by "crossfire" effect to the adjacent viable tumor cells. Our results establish the feasibility of targeting melanin released from dead melanoma cells in tumors with radiolabeled Abs to achieve a therapeutic effect. In contrast to conventional tumor antigens, melanin is insoluble, resistant to degradation, and can be expected to accumulate in targeted tissues, suggesting that the efficacy of therapy could increase with each subsequent treatment cycle.

153Sm and 166Ho complexes with tetraaza macrocycles containing pyridine and methylcarboxylate or methylphosphonate pendant arms

A set of tetraaza macrocycles containing pyridine and methylcarboxylate (ac(3)py14) or methylphosphonate (MeP(2)py14 and P(3)py14) pendant arms were prepared and their stability constants with La(3+), Sm(3+), Gd(3+) and Ho(3+) determined by potentiometry at 25 degrees C and 0.10 M ionic strength in NMe(4)NO(3). The metal:ligand ratio for (153)Sm and (166)Ho and for ac(3)py14, MeP(2)py14 and P(3)py14, as well as the pH of the reaction mixtures, were optimized to achieve a chelation efficiency higher than 98%. These radiocomplexes are hydrophilic and have a significant plasmatic protein binding. In vitro stability was studied in physiological solutions and in human serum. All complexes are stable in saline and PBS, but 20% of radiochemical impurities were detected after 24 h of incubation in serum. Biodistribution studies in mice indicated a slow rate of clearance from blood and muscle, a high and rapid liver uptake and a very slow rate of total radioactivity excretion. Some bone uptake was observed for complexes with MeP(2)py14 and P(3)py14, which was enhanced with time and the number of methylphosphonate groups. This biological profile supports the in vitro instability found in serum and is consistent with the thermodynamic stability constants found for these complexes.

Ionizing radiation delivered by specific antibody is therapeutic against a fungal infection

There is an urgent need for new antimicrobial therapies to combat drug resistance, new pathogens, and the relative inefficacy of current therapy in compromised hosts. Ionizing radiation can kill microorganisms quickly and efficiently, but this modality has not been exploited as a therapeutic antimicrobial strategy. We have developed methods to target ionizing radiation to a fungal cell by labeling a specific mAb with the therapeutic radioisotopes Rhenium-188 and Bismuth-213. Radiolabeled antibody killed cells of human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro, thus converting an antibody with no inherent antifungal activity into a microbicidal molecule. Administration of radiolabeled antibody to mice with C. neoformans infection delivered 213Bi and 188Re to the sites of infection, reduced their organ fungal burden, and significantly prolonged their survival without apparent toxicity. This study establishes the principle that targeted radiation can be used for the therapy of an infectious disease, and suggests that it may have wide applicability as an antimicrobial strategy.

In vivo studies of fullerene-based materials using endohedral metallofullerene radiotracers

Biodistribution studies of a water-soluble radioactive metallofullerene compound have been conducted using BALB/c mice. To this end, a sample containing Hox@C82 (x = 1, 2) was purified and derivatized to prepare the water-soluble metallofullerol, Hox@C82(OH)y. This metallofullerol was then neutron-activated (165Ho[n,gamma]166Ho) to prepare the 166Hox@C82(OH)y analog as a radiotracer, which was monitored, after intravenous administration, for up to 48 hours by using dissection radioanalysis, and its biodistribution was compared with a control compound, Na2[166Ho(DTPA)(H2O)]. Results showed selective localization of the 166Hox@C82(OH)y tracer in the liver but with slow clearance, as well as uptake by bone without clearance. In contrast, excretion of the control compound was nearly quantitative after 1 hour. The fate of 166Ho was also explored by a metabolism study of 166Hox@C82(OH)y in Fischer rats. Results indicated 20% excretion of intact 166Hox@C82(OH)y within 5 days. The present findings demonstrate the feasibility of using water-solubilized metallofullerene radiotracers to monitor the fate of fullerene-based materials in animals, and suggest that water-solubilized fullerene materials, in general, may be useful components in drug design.