Pre-clinical evaluation of [111In]-benzyl-DOTA-ZHER2:342, a potential agent for imaging of HER2 expression in malignant tumors

Abstract

Imaging of expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) in breast carcinomas may help to select patients eligible for trastuzumab therapy. The Affibody molecule Z(HER2:342) is a small (7-kDa) non-immunoglobulin affinity protein, which binds to HER2 with a picomolar affinity. Previously, a benzyl-DTPA conjugate of Z(HER2:342) was labeled with 111In and demonstrated good targeting in murine xenografts. We considered that the use of the macrocyclic chelator DOTA could increase the label stability and enhance a choice of nuclides, which could be used as a label for Z(HER2:342). The goal of this study was the preparation and pre-clinical evaluation of the indium-111- labeled DOTA-derivative of Z(HER2:342). Isothiocyanate-benzyl-DOTA was coupled to recombinant Z(HER2:342), and the conjugate was efficiently labeled with 111In at 60 degrees C. The specificity of 111In-benzyl-DOTA-Z(HER2:342) binding to HER2 was confirmed in vitro using HER2-expressing breast carcinoma BT474 and ovarian carcinoma SKOV-3 cell lines. Biodistribution of 111In-benzyl-DOTA-Z(HER2:342) was performed in nude mice bearing LS174T xenografts and compared directly with the biodistribution of 111In-benzyl-DTPA-Z(HER2:342). In vivo, 111In-benzyl-DOTA-Z(HER2:342) demonstrated quick clearance from blood and non-specific organs except the kidneys. Four hours post injection (pi), the tumor uptake of 111In-benzyl-DOTA-Z(HER2:342) (4.4+/-1.0% IA/g) was specific and the tumor-to-blood ratio was 23. The use of benzyl-DTPA provided higher tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-liver ratios. gamma-camera imaging showed clear visualization of HER2-expressing xenografts using 111In-benzyl-DOTA-Z(HER2:342). 111In-benzyl-DOTA-Z(HER2:342) has a potential for imaging of HER2 expression in malignant tumors.