| 1. |
- Bass, Tarek, et al.
(författare)
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In vivo evaluation of a novel format of a bivalent HER3-targeting and albumin- binding therapeutic affibody construct
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is involved in resistance to several therapies for malignant tumours. Currently, several anti-HER3 monoclonal antibodies are under clinical development. We introduce an alternative approach to HER3-targeted therapy based on engineered scaffold proteins, i.e. affibody molecules. We designed a small construct (22.5 kDa, denoted 3A3), consisting of two high-affinity anti-HER3 affibody molecules flanking an albumin-binding domain ABD, which was introduced for prolonged residence in circulation. In vitro, 3A3 efficiently inhibited growth of HER3-expressing BxPC-3 cells. Biodistribution in mice was measured using 3A3 that was site-specifically labelled with In-111 via a DOTA chelator. The residence time of In-111-DOTA-3A3 in blood was extended when compared with the monomeric affibody molecule. In-111-DOTA-3A3 accumulated specifically in HER3-expressing BxPC-3 xenografts in mice. However, In-111-DOTA-3A3 cleared more rapidly from blood than a size-matched control construct In-111-DOTA-TAT, most likely due to sequestering of 3A3 by mErbB3, the murine counterpart of HER3. Repeated dosing and increase of injected protein dose decreased uptake of In-111-DOTA-3A3 in mErbB3-expressing tissues. Encouragingly, growth of BxPC-3 xenografts in mice was delayed in an experimental (pilot-scale) therapy study using 3A3. We conclude that the 3A3 affibody format seems promising for treatment of HER3-overexpressing tumours.
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| 2. |
- Fleetwood, Filippa, et al.
(författare)
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Simultaneous targeting of two ligand-binding sites on VEGFR2 using biparatopic Affibody molecules results in dramatically improved affinity
- 2014
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 4, s. 7518-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Angiogenesis plays an important role in cancer and ophthalmic disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and corresponding receptors are regulators of angiogenesis and have been much investigated as therapeutic targets. The aim of this work was to generate antagonistic VEGFR2-specific affinity proteins having adjustable pharmacokinetic properties allowing for either therapy or molecular imaging. Two antagonistic Affibody molecules that were cross-reactive for human and murine VEGFR2 were selected by phage and bacterial display. Surprisingly, although both binders independently blocked VEGF-A binding, competition assays revealed interaction with non-overlapping epitopes on the receptor. Biparatopic molecules, comprising the two Affibody domains, were hence engineered to potentially increase affinity even further through avidity. Moreover, an albumin-binding domain was included for half-life extension in future in vivo experiments. The best-performing of the biparatopic constructs demonstrated up to 180-fold slower dissociation than the monomers. The new Affibody constructs were also able to specifically target VEGFR2 on human cells, while simultaneously binding to albumin, as well as inhibit VEGF-induced signaling. In summary, we have generated small antagonistic biparatopic Affibody molecules with high affinity for VEGFR2, which have potential for both future therapeutic and diagnostic purposes in angiogenesis-related diseases.
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| 3. |
- Garousi, Javad, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative evaluation of affibody- and antibody fragments-based CAIX imaging probes in mice bearing renal cell carcinoma xenografts
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a cancer-associated molecular target for several classes of therapeutics. CAIX is overexpressed in a large fraction of renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Radionuclide molecular imaging of CAIX-expression might offer a non-invasive methodology for stratification of patients with disseminated RCC for CAIX-targeting therapeutics. Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies and their fragments are actively investigated for imaging of CAIX expression. Promising alternatives are small non-immunoglobulin scaffold proteins, such as affibody molecules. A CAIX-targeting affibody ZCAIX:2 was re-designed with the aim to decrease off-target interactions and increase imaging contrast. The new tracer, DOTA-HE3-ZCAIX:2, was labeled with In-111 and characterized in vitro. Tumor-targeting properties of [In-111]In-DOTA-HE3-ZCAIX:2 were compared head-to-head with properties of the parental variant, [(99)mTc]Tc(CO)(3)-HE3-ZCAIX:2, and the most promising antibody fragment-based tracer, [In-111]In-DTPA-G250(Fab')(2), in the same batch of nude mice bearing CAIX-expressing RCC xenografts. Compared to the (99)mTc-labeled parental variant, [In-111]In-DOTA-HE3-ZCAIX:2 provides significantly higher tumor-to-lung, tumor-to-bone and tumor-to-liver ratios, which is essential for imaging of CAIX expression in the major metastatic sites of RCC. [In-111]In-DOTA-HE3-ZCAIX:2 offers significantly higher tumor-to-organ ratios compared with [In-111]In-G250(Fab']2. In conclusion, [In-111]In-DOTA-HE3-ZCAIX:2 can be considered as a highly promising tracer for imaging of CAIX expression in RCC metastases based on our results and literature data.
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| 4. |
- Garousi, Javad, et al.
(författare)
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The use of radiocobalt as a label improves imaging of EGFR using DOTA-conjugated Affibody molecule
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several anti-cancer therapies target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Radionuclide imaging of EGFR expression in tumours may aid in selection of optimal cancer therapy. The In-111-labelled DOTA-conjugated Z(EGFR:2377) Affibody molecule was successfully used for imaging of EGFR-expressing xenografts in mice. An optimal combination of radionuclide, chelator and targeting protein may further improve the contrast of radionuclide imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the targeting properties of radiocobalt-labelled DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377). DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377) was labelled with Co-57 (T-1/2 = 271.8 d), Co-55 (T-1/2 = 17.5 h), and, for comparison, with the positron-emitting radionuclide Ga-68 (T-1/2 = 67.6 min) with preserved specificity of binding to EGFR-expressing A431 cells. The long-lived cobalt radioisotope Co-57 was used in animal studies. Both Co-57-DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377) and Ga-68-DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377) demonstrated EGFR-specific accumulation in A431 xenografts and EGFR-expressing tissues in mice. Tumour-to-organ ratios for the radiocobalt-labelled DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377) were significantly higher than for the gallium-labelled counterpart already at 3 h after injection. Importantly, Co-57-DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377) demonstrated a tumour-to-liver ratio of 3, which is 7-fold higher than the tumour-to-liver ratio for (68)GaDOTA-Z(EGFR:2377). The results of this study suggest that the positron-emitting cobalt isotope 55Co would be an optimal label for DOTA-Z(EGFR:2377) and further development should concentrate on this radionuclide as a label.
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| 5. |
- Güler, Rezan, et al.
(författare)
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Increasing thermal stability and improving biodistribution of VEGFR2-binding affibody molecules by a combination of in silico and directed evolution approaches
- 2020
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Research. - 2045-2322. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The family of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligands and their interactions with VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) play important roles in both pathological and physiological angiogenesis. Hence, agonistic and antagonistic ligands targeting this signaling pathway have potential for both studies on fundamental biology and for development of therapies and diagnostics. Here, we engineer VEGFR2-binding affibody molecules for increased thermostability, refolding and improved biodistribution. We designed libraries based on the original monomeric binders with the intention of reducing hydrophobicity, while retaining high affinity for VEGFR2. Libraries were displayed on bacteria and binders were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). In parallel, we used an automated sequence- and structure-based in silico algorithm to identify potentially stabilizing mutations. Monomeric variants isolated from the screening and the in silico approach, respectively, were characterized by circular dichroism spectroscopy and biosensor assays. The most promising mutations were combined into new monomeric constructs which were finally fused into a dimeric construct, resulting in a 15 degrees C increase in melting temperature, complete refolding capability after heat-induced denaturation, retained low picomolar affinity and improved biodistribution profile in an in vivo mouse model. These VEGFR2-binding affibody molecules show promise as candidates for further in vivo studies to assess their suitability as molecular imaging and therapeutic agents.
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| 6. |
- Persson, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Discovery, optimization and biodistribution of an Affibody molecule for imaging of CD69
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to the wide scale of inflammatory processes in different types of disease, more sensitive and specific biomarkers are required to improve prevention and treatment. Cluster of differentiation 69 (CD69) is one of the earliest cell surface proteins expressed by activated leukocytes. Here we characterize and optimize potential new imaging probes, Affibody molecules targeting CD69 for imaging of activated immune cells. Analysis of candidates isolated in a previously performed selection from a Z variant E. coli library to the recombinant extracellular domain of human CD69, identified one cross-reactive Z variant with affinity to murine and human CD69. Affinity maturation was performed by randomization of the primary Z variant, followed by selections from the library. The resulting Z variants were evaluated for affinity towards human and murine CD69 and thermal stability. The in vivo biodistribution was assessed by SPECT/CT in rats following conjugation of the Z variants by a DOTA chelator and radiolabeling with Indium-111. A primary Z variant with a K-d of approximately 50 nM affinity to human and murine CD69 was identified. Affinity maturation generated 5 additional Z variants with improved or similar affinity. All clones exhibited suitable stability. Radiolabeling and in vivo biodistribution in rat demonstrated rapid renal clearance for all variants, while the background uptake and washout varied. The variant Z(CD69:4) had the highest affinity for human and murine CD69 (34 nM) as well as the lowest in vivo background binding. In summary, we describe the discovery, optimization and evaluation of novel Affibody molecules with affinity for CD69. Affibody molecule Z(CD69:4) is suitable for further development for imaging of activated immune cells.
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| 7. |
- Rinne, Sara S., et al.
(författare)
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Increase in negative charge of Ga-68/chelator complex reduces unspecific hepatic uptake but does not improve imaging properties of HER3-targeting affibody molecules
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Upregulation of the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 3 (HER3) is a common mechanism to bypass HER-targeted cancer therapy. Affibody-based molecular imaging has the potential for detecting and monitoring HER3 expression during treatment. In this study, we compared the imaging properties of newly generated Ga-68-labeled anti-HER3 affibody molecules (HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-DOTA and (HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-DOTAGA with previously reported [Ga-68]Ga-(HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-NODAGA. We hypothesized that increasing the negative charge of the gallium-68/chelator complex would reduce hepatic uptake, which could lead to improved contrast of anti-HER3 affibody-based PET-imaging of HER3 expression. (HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-X (X = DOTA, DOTAGA) were produced and labeled with gallium-68. Binding of the new conjugates was specific in HER3 expressing BxPC-3 and DU145 human cancer cells. Biodistribution and in vivo specificity was studied in BxPC-3 xenograft bearing Balb/c nu/nu mice 3 h pi. DOTA- and DOTAGA-containing conjugates had significantly higher concentration in blood than [Ga-68]Ga-(HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-NODAGA. Presence of the negatively charged Ga-68-DOTAGA complex reduced the unspecific hepatic uptake, but did not improve overall biodistribution of the conjugate. [Ga-68]Ga-(HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-DOTAGA and [Ga-68]Ga-(HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-NODAGA had similar tumor-to-liver ratios, but [Ga-68]Ga-(HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-NODAGA had the highest tumor uptake and tumor-to-blood ratio among the tested conjugates. In conclusion, [Ga-68] Ga-(HE)(3)-Z(HER3)-NODAGA remains the favorable variant for PET imaging of HER3 expression.
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| 8. |
- Rinne, Sara S., et al.
(författare)
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Optimization of HER3 expression imaging using affibody molecules : Influence of chelator for labeling with indium-111
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Radionuclide molecular imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) expression using affibody molecules could be used for patient stratification for HER3-targeted cancer therapeutics. We hypothesized that the properties of HER3-targeting affibody molecules might be improved through modification of the radiometal-chelator complex. Macrocyclic chelators NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N ''-triacetic acid), NODAGA (1-(1,3-carboxypropyl)-4,7-carboxymethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraaceticacid), and DOTAGA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododececane, 1-(glutaric acid)-4,7,10-triacetic acid) were conjugated to the C-terminus of anti-HER3 affibody molecule Z(08698) and conjugates were labeled with indium-111. All conjugates bound specifically and with picomolar affinity to HER3 in vitro. In mice bearing HER3-expressing xenografts, no significant difference in tumor uptake between the conjugates was observed. Presence of the negatively charged In-111-DOTAGA-complex resulted in the lowest hepatic uptake and the highest tumor-to-liver ratio. In conclusion, the choice of chelator influences the biodistribution of indium-111 labeled anti-HER3 affibody molecules. Hepatic uptake of anti-HER3 affibody molecules could be reduced by the increase of negative charge of the radiometal-chelator complex on the C-terminus without significantly influencing the tumor uptake.
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| 9. |
- Rosestedt, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Affibody-mediated PET imaging of HER3 expression in malignant tumours
- 2015
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3(HER3) is involved in the progression of various cancers and in resistance to therapies targeting the HER family. In vivo imaging of HER3 expression would enable patient stratification for anti-HER3 immunotherapy. Key challenges with HER3-targeting are the relatively low expression in HER3-positive tumours and HER3 expression in normal tissues. The use of positron-emission tomography (PET) provides advantages of high resolution, sensitivity and quantification accuracy compared to SPECT. Affibody molecules, imaging probes based on a non-immunoglobulin scaffold, provide high imaging contrast shortly after injection. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility of PET imaging of HER3 expression using 68Ga-labeled affibody molecules. The anti-HER3 affibody molecule HEHEHE-Z08698-NOTA was successfully labelled with 68Ga with high yield, purity and stability. The agent bound specifically to HER3-expressing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. At 3 h pi, uptake of 68Ga-HEHEHE-Z08698-NOTA was significantly higher in xenografts with high HER3 expression (BT474, BxPC-3) than in xenografts with low HER3 expression (A431). In xenografts with high expression, tumour-to-blood ratios were >20, tumour-to-muscle >15, and tumour-to-bone >7. HER3-positive xenografts were visualised using microPET 3 h pi. In conclusion, PET imaging of HER3 expression is feasible using 68Ga-HEHEHE-Z08698-NOTA shortly after administration.
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| 10. |
- Rosestedt, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Improved contrast of affibody-mediated imaging of HER3 expression in mouse xenograft model through co-injection of a trivalent affibody for in vivo blocking of hepatic uptake
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 3 (HER3) plays a crucial role in the progression of many cancer types. In vivo radionuclide imaging could be a reliable method for repetitive detection of HER3-expression in tumors. The main challenge of HER3-imaging is the low expression in tumors together with endogenous receptor expression in normal tissues, particularly the liver. A HER3-targeting affibody molecule labeled with radiocobalt via a NOTA chelator [Co-57]Co-NOTA-Z(08699) has demonstrated the most favorable biodistribution profile with the lowest unspecific hepatic uptake and high activity uptake in tumors. We hypothesized that specific uptake of labeled affibody monomer might be selectively blocked in the liver but not in tumors by a co-injection of non-labeled corresponding trivalent affibody (Z(08699))(3). Biodistribution of [Co-57]Co-NOTA-Z(08699) and [In-111]ln-DOTA-(Z(08699))(3) was studied in BxPC-3 xenografted mice. [Co-57]Co-NOTA-Z(08699) was co-injected with unlabeled trivalent affibody DOTA-(Z(08699))(3) at different monomer:trimer molar ratios. HER3-expression in xenografts was imaged using [Co-57]Co-NOTA-Z(08699) and [Co-57]Co-NOTA-Z(08699): DOTA-(Z(08699))(3). Hepatic activity uptake of [Co-57] Co-NOTA-Z(08699): DOTA-(Z(08699))(3) decreased with increasing monomer:trimer molar ratio. The tumor activity uptake and tumor-to-liver ratios were the highest for the 1:3 ratio. SPECT/CT images confirmed the biodistribution data. Imaging of HER3 expression can be improved by co-injection of a radiolabeled monomeric affi body-based imaging probe together with a trivalent affibody.
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