RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 In Vivo Imaging of Antileukemic Drug Asparaginase Reveals a Rapid Macrophage-Mediated Clearance from the Bone Marrow JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 214 OP 220 DO 10.2967/jnumed.116.177741 VO 58 IS 2 A1 Laurens T. van der Meer A1 Samantha Y.A. Terry A1 Dorette S. van Ingen Schenau A1 Kiki C. Andree A1 Gerben M. Franssen A1 Debbie M. Roeleveld A1 Josbert M. Metselaar A1 Thomas Reinheckel A1 Peter M. Hoogerbrugge A1 Otto C. Boerman A1 Frank N. van Leeuwen YR 2017 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/58/2/214.abstract AB The antileukemic drug asparaginase, a key component in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acts by depleting asparagine from the blood. However, little is known about its pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of therapy resistance are poorly understood. Here, we explored the in vivo biodistribution of radiolabeled asparaginase, using a combination of imaging and biochemical techniques, and provide evidence for tissue-specific clearance mechanisms, which could reduce the effectiveness of the drug at these specific sites. Methods: In vivo localization of 111In-labeled Escherichia coli asparaginase was performed in C57BL/6 mice by both small-animal SPECT/CT and ex vivo biodistribution studies. Mice were treated with liposomal clodronate to investigate the effect of macrophage depletion on tracer localization and drug clearance in vivo. Moreover, macrophage cell line models RAW264.7 and THP-1, as well as knockout mice, were used to identify the cellular and molecular components controlling asparaginase pharmacokinetics. Results: In vivo imaging and biodistribution studies showed a rapid accumulation of asparaginase in macrophage-rich tissues such as the liver, spleen, and in particular bone marrow. Clodronate-mediated depletion of phagocytic cells markedly prolonged the serum half-life of asparaginase in vivo and decreased drug uptake in these macrophage-rich organs. Immunohistochemistry and in vitro binding assays confirmed the involvement of macrophagelike cells in the uptake of asparaginase. We identified the activity of the lysosomal protease cathepsin B in macrophages as a rate-limiting factor in degrading asparaginase both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: We showed that asparaginase is rapidly cleared from the serum by liver-, spleen-, and bone marrow–resident phagocytic cells. As a consequence of this efficient uptake and protease-mediated degradation, particularly bone marrow–resident macrophages may provide a protective niche to leukemic cells.