Matched-pair, Y/Y-labeled, bivalent RGD/bombesin antagonist, [RGD-Glu-[DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2], as a potential theranostic agent for prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we describe development of a true matched-pair theranostic agent that is able to target the αβ integrin and the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). We herein describe methods to metallate and characterize the new conjugate and to validate its biological efficacy by in vitro and in vivo methods.

METHODS

We have previously described the development of [RGD-Glu-6Ahx-RM2] (where RGD: Arg-Gly-Asp; Glu: glutamic acid; 6-Ahx: 6-amino hexanoic acid; RM2: (D-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2)) that has been conjugated to a DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) bifunctional chelating agent (BFCA) to afford [RGD-Glu-[DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2] peptide. In this study, we have radiolabeled [RGD-Glu-[DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2] peptide with Y or Y. Natural-metallated (Y) conjugates were assessed for binding affinity for the αβ integrin or GRPR in human glioblastoma U87-MG and prostate PC-3 cell lines, respectively. The effective stability of the new tracers was also evaluated prior to in vivo evaluation in normal CF-1 mice and SCID mice bearing xenografted tumors.

RESULTS

Competitive displacement binding assays in PC-3 cells showed high binding affinity for the GRPR (IC, 5.65 ± 0.00 nM). On the other hand, competitive displacement binding assays in U87-MG cells revealed only moderate binding to the αβ integrin (IC, 346 ± 5.30 nM). Biodistribution studies in PC-3 tumor-bearing mice [RGD-Glu-[[Y]Y-DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2] showed high tumor uptake (8.70 ± 0.35%ID/g at 1 h post-intravenous injection) and retention of tracer (5.28 ± 0.12%ID/g) at 24 h post-intravenous injection. Micro-positron emission tomography (microPET) in PC-3 tumor-bearing mice using [RGD-Glu-[[Y]Y-DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2] correlated well with biodistribution investigations over the various time points that were studied.

CONCLUSIONS

The [RGD-Glu-[[Y]Y-DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2] and [RGD-Glu-[[Y]Y-DO3A]-6-Ahx-RM2] matched-pair conjugates described herein exhibit favorable microPET and pharmacokinetic profiles and merit further investigations for molecular imaging and/or therapeutic evaluation in larger animal models and potentially humans.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE

The theranostic, heterobivalent, agents described herein perform comparably with other mono- and multivalent conjugates we have reported and offer the potential of improved sensitivity for detecting prostate cancer cells that might exhibit differing profiles of receptor expression on tumor cells in human patients.