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MicroSPECT/CT imaging of co-expressed HER2 and EGFR on subcutaneous human tumor xenografts in athymic mice using 111In-labeled bispecific radioimmunoconjugates

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Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) form heterodimers with HER2 in breast cancer, and increased EGFR expression has been found in HER2-positive tumors resistant to trastuzumab (Herceptin). Our objective was to synthesize bispecific radioimmunoconjugates (bsRICs) that recognize HER2 and EGFR and evaluate their ability to image tumors in athymic mice that express one or both receptors by microSPECT/CT. Bispecific radioimmunoconjugates were constructed by conjugating maleimide-derivatized trastuzumab Fab fragments that bind HER2 to a thiolated form of EGF with an intervening 24 mer polyethylene glycol (PEG24) spacer. Bispecific radioimmunoconjugates were derivatized with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for labeling with 111In. The ability of 111In-bsRICs to bind HER2 or EGFR was determined in competition assays using cells expressing one or both receptors. Tumor and normal tissue uptake were examined in CD1 athymic mice bearing subcutaneous tumor xenografts that expressed HER2, EGFR, or both receptors, with or without pre-administration of Fab or EGF to determine specificity. HER2 and EGFR binding and displacement of binding by competitors were found for 111In-bsICs. The highest uptake of 111In-bsRICs [7.3 ± 3.5 %ID/g] in 231-H2N human breast cancer xenografts (HER2+/EGFR+) occurred at 48 h post-injection. Pre-administration of trastuzumab Fab decreased uptake in SK-OV-3 (HER2+/EGFR−) human ovarian cancer xenografts from 7.1 ± 1.2 to 2.4 ± 1.5 %ID/g. Pre-administration of excess EGF decreased uptake in MDA-MB-231 (HER2−/EGFR+) human breast cancer xenografts from 5.9 ± 0.5 to 2.0 ± 0.1 %ID/g. All tumors were imaged by microSPECT/CT. We conclude that 111In-bsRICs composed of trastuzumab Fab and EGF exhibited specific binding in vitro to tumor cells displaying HER2 or EGFR, and were taken up specifically in vivo in tumors expressing one or both receptors, permitting tumor visualization by microSPECT/CT. These agents may ultimately be useful for imaging heterodimerized HER2-EGFR complexes since their bivalent properties permit more avid binding to these complexes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Grant from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (Smarter Imaging Program) with funds from the Province of Ontario. E.R. is the recipient of a Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Doctoral Fellowship (Ontario Region). Parts of this research were presented at the 2012 World Molecular Imaging Congress, from September 5-8, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

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The authors have no conflict of interest related to this study.

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Correspondence to Raymond M. Reilly.

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Razumienko, E., Dryden, L., Scollard, D. et al. MicroSPECT/CT imaging of co-expressed HER2 and EGFR on subcutaneous human tumor xenografts in athymic mice using 111In-labeled bispecific radioimmunoconjugates. Breast Cancer Res Treat 138, 709–718 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-013-2490-5

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