DOTAGA-trastuzumab. A new antibody conjugate targeting HER2/Neu antigen for diagnostic purposes

Bioconjug Chem. 2012 Jun 20;23(6):1181-8. doi: 10.1021/bc200680x. Epub 2012 May 9.

Abstract

Improved bifunctional chelating agents (BFC) are required for indium-111 radiolabeling of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) under mild conditions to yield stable, target-specific agents. 2,2',2"-(10-(2,6-Dioxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triyl)triacetic acid (DOTAGA-anhydride) was evaluated for mAb conjugation and labeling with indium-111. The DOTA analogue was synthesized and conjugated to trastuzumab-which targets the HER2/neu receptor-in mild conditions (PBS pH 7.4, 25 °C, 30 min) and gave a mean degree of conjugation of 2.6 macrocycle per antibody. Labeling of this immunoconjugate with indium-111 was performed in 75% yield after 1 h at 37 °C, and the proportion of (111)In-DOTAGA-trastuzumab reached 97% after purification. The affinity of DOTAGA-trastuzumab was 5.5 ± 0.6 nM as evaluated by in vitro saturation assays using HCC1954 breast cancer cell line. SPECT/CT imaging and biodistribution studies were performed in mice bearing breast cancer BT-474 xenografts. BT-474 tumors were clearly visualized on SPECT images at 24, 48, and 72 h postinjection. The tumor uptake of [(111)In-DOTAGA]-trastuzumab reached 65%ID/g 72 h postinjection. These results show that the DOTAGA BFC appears to be a valuable tool for biologics conjugation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anhydrides* / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / chemistry
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates* / chemistry
  • Indium Radioisotopes* / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Molecular
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / analysis*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Anhydrides
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • DOTAGA-anhydride
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Trastuzumab