Visualization of
cancer-associated alterations of molecular phenotype using
radionuclide imaging is a noninvasive approach to stratifying patients for targeted
therapies. The engineered
albumin-binding domain-derived affinity
protein (ADAPT) is a promising tracer for
radionuclide molecular imaging because of its small size (6.5 kDa), which satisfies the precondition for efficient
tumor penetration and rapid clearance. Previous studies demonstrated that the human
epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-targeting ADAPT6 labeled with radiometals at the N terminus is able to image HER2 expression in xenografts a few hours after injection. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of a nonresidualizing label or placement of the labels at the C terminus would further improve the targeting properties of ADAPT6. Methods: Two constructs, Cys2-ADAPT6 and Cys59-ADAPT6, having the (HE)3DANS sequence at the N terminus were produced and site-specifically labeled using
111In-DOTA or 125I-iodo-((4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)
maleimide (HPEM). The conjugates were compared in vitro and in vivo. HER2-targeting properties and biodistribution were evaluated in BALB/C nu/nu mice bearing ovarian
carcinoma cell (SKOV-3) xenografts. Results: Specific HER2 binding and high affinity were preserved after labeling. Both Cys2-ADAPT6 and Cys59-ADAPT6 were internalized slowly by HER2-expressing
cancer cells. Depending on the label position, uptake at 4 h after injection varied from 10% to 22% of the injected dose per gram of
tumor tissue. Regardless of terminus position, the 125I-HPEM label provided more than 140-fold lower renal uptake than the
111In-DOTA label at 4 after injection. The
tumor-to-organ ratios were, in contrast, higher for both of the 111In-DOTA-labeled ADAPT variants in other organs.
Tumor-to-blood ratios for 111In-labeled Cys2-ADAPT6 and Cys59-ADAPT6 did not differ significantly (250-280), but 111In-DOTA-Cys59-ADAPT6 provided significantly higher
tumor-to-lung,
tumor-to-liver,
tumor-to-spleen, and
tumor-to-muscle ratios. Radioiodinated variants had similar
tumor-to-organ ratios, but 125I-HPEM-Cys59-ADAPT6 had significantly higher
tumor uptake and a higher
tumor-to-kidney ratio. Conclusion: Residualizing properties of the label strongly influence the targeting properties of ADAPT6. The position of the radiolabel influences targeting as well, although to a lesser extent. Placement of a label at the C terminus yields the best biodistribution features for both radiometal and radiohalogen labels. Low renal retention of the radioiodine label creates a precondition for
radionuclide therapy using 131I-labeled HPEM-Cys59-ADAPT6.