| 1. |
- Larkina, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparative Preclinical Evaluation of HYNIC-Modified Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins G3 for the 99mTc-Based Imaging of HER2-Expressing Malignant Tumors
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Molecular Pharmaceutics. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1543-8384 .- 1543-8392. ; 21:4, s. 1919-1932
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- HER2 status determination is a necessary step for the proper choice of therapy and selection of patients for the targeted treatment of cancer. Targeted radiotracers such as radiolabeled DARPins provide a noninvasive and effective way for the molecular imaging of HER2 expression. This study aimed to evaluate tumor-targeting properties of three 99mTc-labeled DARPin G3 variants containing Gly-Gly-Gly-Cys (G3C), (Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser)3-Cys ((G3S)3C), or Glu-Glu-Glu-Cys (E3C) amino acid linkers at the C-terminus and conjugated to the HYNIC chelating agent, as well as to compare them with the clinically evaluated DARPin G3 labeled with 99mTc(CO)3 using the (HE)3-tag at the N-terminus. The labeling of DARPin G3-HYNIC variants provided radiochemical yields in the range of 50–80%. Labeled variants bound specifically to human HER2-expressing cancer cell lines with affinities in the range of 0.5–3 nM. There was no substantial influence of the linker and HYNIC chelator on the binding of 99mTc-labeled DARPin G3 variants to HER2 in vitro; however, [99mTc]Tc-G3-(G3S)3C-HYNIC had the highest affinity. Comparative biodistribution of [99mTc]Tc-G3-G3C-HYNIC, [99mTc]Tc-G3-(G3S)3C-HYNIC, [99mTc]Tc-G3-E3C-HYNIC, and [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3 in healthy CD1 mice showed that there was a strong influence of the linkers on uptake in normal tissues. [99mTc]Tc-G3-E3C-HYNIC had an increased retention of activity in the liver and the majority of other organs compared to the other conjugates. The tumor uptake of [99mTc]Tc-G3-(G3S)3C-HYNIC and [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3 in Nu/j mice bearing SKOV-3 xenografts was similar. The specificity of tumor targeting in vivo was demonstrated for both tracers. [99mTc]Tc-G3-(G3S)3C-HYNIC provided comparable, although slightly lower tumor-to-lung, tumor-to spleen and tumor-to-liver ratios than [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3. Radiolabeling of DARPin G3-HYNIC conjugates with 99mTc provided the advantage of a single-step radiolabeling procedure; however, the studied HYNIC conjugates did not improve imaging contrast compared to the 99mTc-tricarbonyl-labeled DARPin G3. At this stage, [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3 remains the most promising candidate for the clinical imaging of HER2-overexpressing cancers.
|
|
| 2. |
- Larkina, Mariia, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparative Preclinical Evaluation of Peptide-Based Chelators for the Labeling of DARPin G3 with 99mTc for Radionuclide Imaging of HER2 Expression in Cancer
- 2022
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 23:21, s. 13443-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-invasive radionuclide imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) expression in breast, gastroesophageal, and ovarian cancers may stratify patients for treatment using HER2-targeted therapeutics. Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are a promising type of targeting probe for radionuclide imaging. In clinical studies, the DARPin [Tc-99m]Tc-(HE)(3)-G3 labeled using a peptide-based chelator His-Glu-His-Glu-His-Glu ((HE)(3)), provided clear imaging of HER2 expressing breast cancer 2-4 h after injection. The goal of this study was to evaluate if the use of cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators Glu-Glu-Glu-Cys (E3C), Gly-Gly-Gly-Cys (G(3)C), and Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser-Cys connected via a (Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser)(3)-linker (designated as G3-(G(3)S)(3)C) would further improve the contrast of imaging using Tc-99m-labeled derivatives of G3. The labeling of the new variants of G3 provided a radiochemical yield of over 95%. Labeled G3 variants bound specifically to human HER2-expressing cancer cell lines with affinities in the range of 1.9-5 nM. Biodistribution of [Tc-99m]Tc-G3-G(3)C, [Tc-99m]Tc-G3-(G(3)S)(3)C, and [Tc-99m]Tc-G3-E3C in mice was compared with the biodistribution of [Tc-99m]Tc-(HE)(3)-G3. It was found that the novel variants provide specific accumulation in HER2-expressing human xenografts and enable discrimination between tumors with high and low HER2 expression. However, [Tc-99m]Tc-(HE)(3)-G3 provided better contrast between tumors and the most frequent metastatic sites of HER2-expressing cancers and is therefore more suitable for clinical applications.
|
|
| 3. |
- Larkina, Mariia, et al.
(författare)
-
Efficient Synthesis of omega-[F-18]Fluoroaliphatic Carboxylic Esters and Acids for Positron Emission Tomography
- 2020
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Organic Chemistry. - : Wiley. - 1434-193X .- 1099-0690. ; :40, s. 6375-6381
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- [F-18]Fluoroaliphatic carboxylic acids are important PET tracers that have demonstrated a considerable potential to address the fatty acid oxidation-dependent processes in clinical patients. Herein, we report an efficient radiosynthetic approach to omega-[F-18]fluoroaliphatic carboxylic esters and acids by nucleophilic radiofluorination of the readily available iodocarboxylic esters. Methyl 6-[F-18]fluorohexanoate was further applied as a starting material for the preparation of the succinimide ester (NHS ester)-containing bifunctional radiofluorinated prosthetic group in two simple steps, 10 min each. The synthesized NHS ester of 6-[F-18]fluorohexanoic acid can serve as an important reagent for a quick and efficient conjugation with peptides or proteins via amino groups of lysines.
|
|
| 4. |
- Xu, Tianqi, et al.
(författare)
-
Effect of Inter-Domain Linker Composition on Biodistribution of ABD-Fused Affibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting HER2
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Pharmaceutics. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4923 .- 1999-4923. ; 14:3, s. 522-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Targeted drug conjugates based on Affibody molecules fused to an albumin-binding domain (ABD) for half-life extension have demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical therapeutic studies. Furthermore, optimization of their molecular design might increase the cytotoxic effect on tumors and minimize systemic toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the influence of length and composition of a linker between the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted affibody molecule (Z(HER2:2891)) and the ABD domain on functionality and biodistribution of affibody-drug conjugates containing a microtubulin inhibitor mertansin (mcDM1) (AffiDCs). Two conjugates, having a trimeric (S(3)G)(3) linker or a trimeric (G(3)S)(3) linker were produced, radiolabeled with Tc-99m(CO)(3), and compared side-by-side in vitro and in vivo with the original Z(HER2:2891)-G(4)S-ABD-mcDM1 conjugate having a monomeric G(4)S linker. Both conjugates with longer linkers had a decreased affinity to HER2 and mouse and human serum albumin in vitro, however, no differences in blood retention were observed in NMRI mice up to 24 h post injection. The use of both (S(3)G)(3) and (G(3)S)(3) linkers reduced liver uptake of AffiDCs by approximately 1.2-fold compared with the use of a G(4)S linker. This finding provides important insights into the molecular design for the development of targeted drug conjugates with reduced hepatic uptake.
|
|
| 5. |
- Yin, Wen, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
-
A comparison of affibody conjugates loaded with auristatin and maytansine derived drugs
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Auristatin and maytansine-derived drugs are cytotoxic tubulin polymerization inhibitors commonly used as payloads in drug conjugates intended for targeted cancer therapy. We have previously shown that an affibody molecule ZHER2, binding to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), can be site-specifically conjugated to DM1, a maytansine- derived payload, creating the potent and specific drug conjugate, ZHER2-ABD-mcDM1, where the ABD is an albumin binding domain used for in vivo half-life extension. Here, we investigated the properties of the HER2-binding affibody molecule conjugated with the two auristatin-derived payloads, monomethyl auristatin E and F (MMAE and MMAF), in comparison with the construct with DM1. We found that the drug conjugate ZHER2-ABD- mcMMAF was more potent than ZHER2-ABD-mcDM1, with IC50 values to high-HER2 expressing cell lines ranging from 0.18 to 12 nM. By contrast the IC50 values of ZHER2-ABD- mcMMAE was considerably weaker and this construct would probably benefit from a different linker connecting the drug to the affibody fusion protein. Quantification of uptake in HER2-expressing tumors and normal organs of 99m-technetium labeled drug conjugates showed that they were predominantly cleared by the kidneys, with relatively high tumor uptake, peaking at 11.1 ± 4.1 %ID/g for ZHER2-ABD-mcMMAE at 24 h post-injection, 8.5 ± 1.5 %ID/g for ZHER2-ABD-mcMMAF at 48 h post-injection, and 7.1 ± 1.8 %ID/g for ZHER2- ABD-mcDM1 at 48 h post-injection. Most normal organs, except for the kidneys, had a relatively low uptake. In conclusion, ZHER2-ABD-mcMMAF was the best performing drug conjugate with the highest potency, and lowest uptake in liver; slightly outperforming ZHER2- ABD-mcDM1.
|
|
| 6. |
- Yin, Wen, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparison of HER2-targeted affibody conjugates loaded with auristatin-and maytansine-derived drugs
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 355, s. 515-527
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Treatment with antibody drug conjugates targeting receptors over-expressed on cancer cells is well established for clinical use in several types of cancer, however, resistance often occurs motivating the development of novel drugs. We have recently investigated a drug conjugate consisting of an affibody molecule targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), fused to an albumin-binding domain (ABD) for half-life extension, loaded with the cytotoxic maytansine derivative DM1. In this study, we investigated the impact of the cytotoxic payload on binding properties, cytotoxicity and biodistribution by comparing DM1 with the auristatins MMAE and MMAF, as part of the drug conjugate. All constructs had specific and high affinity binding to HER2, human and mouse albumins with values in the low- to sub-nM range. ZHER2-ABD-mcMMAF demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic effect on several HER2-over-expressing cell lines. In an experimental therapy study, the MMAFbased conjugate provided complete tumor regression in 50% of BALB/c nu/nu mice bearing HER2-overexpressing SKOV3 tumors at a 2.9 mg/kg dose, while the same dose of ZHER2-ABD-mcDM1 provided only a moderate anti-tumor effect. A comparison with the non-targeting ZTaq-ABD-mcMMAF control demonstrated HER2-targeting specificity. In conclusion, a combination of potent cytotoxicity in vitro, with minimal uptake in normal organs in vivo, and efficient delivery to tumors provided a superior anti-tumor effect of ZHER2-ABDmcMMAF, while maintaining a favorable toxicity profile with no observed adverse effects.
|
|
| 7. |
- Zhang, Jie, et al.
(författare)
-
A Comparison of in vivo Half-life Extension of Affibody-Drug Conjugates by PASylation, XTENylation and Albumin Binding
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Drug conjugates based on engineered scaffold affinity proteins hold promise to become potent targeted cancer drugs in the future, and an important aspect is to provide them with optimal pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, we investigated different half-life extension technologies for HER2-specific affibody-drug conjugates (AffiDCs), and the effect they imposed on the uptake in tumors and normal organs and tissues. Two sizes of unstructured PAS and XTEN polypeptides (PAS300, PAS600, XTEN288, and XTEN576) and an albumin binding domain (ABD) were used for the comparison. The results showed that extension with the PAS or XTEN polypeptides as well as the addition of the ABD did not affect HER2 binding or the cytotoxic potential negatively. There was a difference in half-lives in mice, which ranged from 7.3 h for the construct including PAS300 to 11.6 h for the construct including the PAS600 polypeptide. The highest absolute tumor uptake was found for the construct including the ABD, even though it did not have the longest in vivo half-life (9.0 h). Consequently, the construct with the ABD gave the highest tumor-to-normal-organ ratios. In conclusion, PASylation, XTENylation, and the addition of an ABD appear to be viable strategies for half-life extension of affibody drug conjugates, with the best in vivo performance observed for the construct including the ABD.
|
|
| 8. |
- Zhang, Jie, et al.
(författare)
-
Half-life extension via ABD-fusion leads to higher tumor uptake of an affibody-drug conjugate compared to PAS- and XTENylation.
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 370, s. 468-478
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A critical parameter during the development of protein therapeutics is to endow them with suitable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Small protein drugs are quickly eliminated by kidney filtration, and in vivo half-life extension is therefore often desired. Here, different half-life extension technologies were studied where PAS polypeptides (PAS300, PAS600), XTEN polypeptides (XTEN288, XTEN576), and an albumin binding domain (ABD) were compared for half-life extension of an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) affibody-drug conjugate. The results showed that extension with the PAS or XTEN polypeptides or the addition of the ABD lowered the affinity for HER2 to some extent but did not negatively affect the cytotoxic potential. The half-lives in mice ranged from 7.3 h for the construct including PAS300 to 11.6 h for the construct including PAS600. The highest absolute tumor uptake was found for the construct including the ABD, which was 60 to 160% higher than the PASylated or XTENylated constructs, even though it did not have the longest half-life (9.0 h). A comparison of the tumor-to-normal-organ ratios showed the best overall performance of the ABD-fused construct. In conclusion, PASylation, XTENylation, and the addition of an ABD are viable strategies for half-life extension of affibody-drug conjugates, with the best performance observed for the construct including the ABD.
|
|
