Targeting of immune checkpoint regulator V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) with Zr-labelled CI-8993.

Background: CI-8993 is a fully human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds specifically to immune checkpoint molecule VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation). Phase I safety has been established in patients with advanced cancer (NCT02671955). To determine the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of CI-8993 in patients, we aimed to develop Zr-labelled CI-8993 and validate PET imaging and quantitation in preclinical models prior to a planned human bioimaging trial.

An Anti-VEGF-B Antibody Reduces Abnormal Tumor Vasculature and Enhances the Effects of Chemotherapy.

The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs) are key regulators of blood vessel formation, including in tumors, where their deregulated function can promote the production of aberrant, leaky blood vessels, supporting tumor development. Here we investigated the VEGFR1 ligand VEGF-B, which we demonstrate to be expressed in tumor cells and in tumor stroma and vasculature across a range of tumor types. We examined the anti-VEGF-B-specific monoclonal antibody 2H10 in preclinical xenograft models of breast and colorectal cancer, in comparison with the anti-VEGF-A antibody bevacizumab.

Radiolabelling and preclinical characterisation of [Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 bispecific to PD-L1/4-1BB.

Purpose: ATG-101, a bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets the immune checkpoint PD-L1 and the costimulatory receptor 4-1BB, activates exhausted T cells upon PD-L1 crosslinking. Previous studies demonstrated promising anti-tumour efficacy of ATG-101 in preclinical models. Here, we labelled ATG-101 with Zr to confirm its tumour targeting effect and tissue biodistribution in a preclinical model.

Preclinical radiolabeling, in vivo biodistribution and positron emission tomography of a novel pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD)-based antibody drug conjugate targeting ASCT2.

Introduction: Anti-ASCT2 antibody drug conjugate (ADC) MEDI7247 has been under development as a potential anti-cancer therapy for patients with selected relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies and advanced solid tumors by MedImmune. Although promising efficacy was observed in the clinic, pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses observed low exposure of MEDI7247 in phase I hematological patients. To investigate the biodistribution properties of MEDI7247, MEDI7247 and control antibodies were radiolabeled with zirconium-89 and in vitro and in vivo properties characterized.

A phase 1 safety and bioimaging trial of antibody DS-8895a against EphA2 in patients with advanced or metastatic EphA2 positive cancers.

Ephrin type-A 2 (EphA2) is a transmembrane receptor expressed in epithelial cancers. We report on a phase I dose escalation and biodistribution study of DS-8895a, an anti-EphA2 antibody, in patients with advanced EphA2 positive cancers. DS-8895a was administered at 1, 3, 10 or 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks to determine safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor efficacy.

A clinical trial of non-invasive imaging with an anti-HIV antibody labelled with copper-64 in people living with HIV and uninfected controls.

Background: A research priority in finding a cure for HIV is to establish methods to accurately locate and quantify where and how HIV persists in people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Infusing copper-64 (Cu) radiolabelled broadly neutralising antibodies targeting HIV envelope (Env) with CT scan and positron emission tomography (PET) identified HIV Env in tissues in SIV infected non-human primates . We aimed to determine if a similar approach was effective in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Radiolabelling and preclinical characterization of Zr-Df-radiolabelled bispecific anti-PD-L1/TGF-βRII fusion protein bintrafusp alfa.

Purpose: Τhis study aimed to optimize the Zr-radiolabelling of bintrafusp alfa investigational drug product and controls, and perform the in vitro and in vivo characterization of Zr-Df-bintrafusp alfa and Zr-Df-control radioconjugates.

Methods: Bintrafusp alfa (anti-PD-L1 human IgG1 antibody fused to TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βRII), avelumab (anti-PD-L1 human IgG1 control antibody), isotype control (mutated inactive anti-PD-L1 IgG1 control antibody), and trap control (mutated inactive anti-PD-L1 human IgG1 fused to active TGF-βRII) were chelated with p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-desferrioxamine (Df). After radiolabelling with zirconium-89 (Zr), radioconjugates were assessed for radiochemical purity, immunoreactivity, antigen binding affinity, and serum stability in vitro.

Expression of EGFR and conformational forms of EGFR in malignant pleural mesothelioma and its impact on survival.

Aim: Conformational forms of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are pro-tumorigenic. The prevalence and impact of conformational forms of EGFR in malignant mesothelioma (MM) is unknown. We investigated expression of EGFR and conformational forms of EGFR by immunohistochemistry using EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAb).

First clinical study of a pegylated diabody I-labeled PEG-AVP0458 in patients with tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 positive cancers.

Through protein engineering and a novel pegylation strategy, a diabody specific to tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) (PEG-AVP0458) has been created to optimize pharmacokinetics and bioavailability to tumor. We report the preclinical and clinical translation of PEG-AVP0458 to a first-in-human clinical trial of a diabody. Clinical translation followed characterization of PEG-AVP0458 drug product and preclinical biodistribution and imaging assessments of Iodine-124 trace labeled PEG-AVP0458 (I-PEG-AVP0458).

Molecular imaging of T cell co-regulator factor B7-H3 with Zr-DS-5573a.

B7-H3 is a transmembrane protein widely expressed in a variety of cancers and has been shown to play a role in anti-tumor immunity. This study aims to develop a molecular imaging probe to identify B7-H3 expression in tumors and to develop Zr-DS-5573a as a theranostic that could aid patient selection in clinical Phase I studies. The anti-B7-H3 humanised monoclonal antibody DS-5573a was labeled with zirconium-89 (Zr-), and assessed for radiochemical purity, immunoreactivity (Lindmo analysis), antigen binding affinity (Scatchard analysis), and serum stability .

Development of monoclonal anti-PDGF-CC antibodies as tools for investigating human tissue expression and for blocking PDGF-CC induced PDGFRα signalling in vivo.

PDGF-CC is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family that stimulates PDGFRα phosphorylation and thereby activates intracellular signalling events essential for development but also in cancer, fibrosis and neuropathologies involving blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. In order to elucidate the biological and pathological role(s) of PDGF-CC signalling, we have generated high affinity neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing human PDGF-CC. We determined the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the selected clones, and mapped the binding epitope for clone 6B3.

Integral membrane protease fibroblast activation protein sensitizes fibrosarcoma to chemotherapy and alters cell death mechanisms.

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), an integral membrane serine protease, is found on fibro- and osteo-sarcoma and on myofibroblasts in epithelial carcinoma, but rarely on other adult tissue. FAP has been demonstrated to be an excellent target for tumor imaging in clinical trials, and antibodies and other FAP-targeting drugs are in development. Here we have shown that FAP overexpression increased the growth of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo, and found that the expression of FAP affects response to chemotherapy.

Phase I Imaging and Pharmacodynamic Trial of CS-1008 in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: CS-1008 (tigatuzumab) is a humanized, monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) agonistic antibody to human death receptor 5. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of CS-1008 dose on the biodistribution, quantitative tumor uptake, and antitumor response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with mCRC who had received at least one course of chemotherapy were assigned to one of five dosage cohorts and infused with a weekly dose of CS-1008.

Fibroblast activation protein increases metastatic potential of fibrosarcoma line HT1080 through upregulation of integrin-mediated signaling pathways.

The serine protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is selectively expressed on tumour-associated fibroblasts in most human epithelial tumours, as well as on some mesenchymal tumours such as sarcoma. High FAP expression is most often associated with poor outcome and increased metastasis. Here, we compare the in vitro metastatic potential of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells with and without FAP expression in order to elucidate the mechanism by which FAP may influence metastasis.

Targeted chemoradiation in metastatic colorectal cancer: a phase I trial of 131I-huA33 with concurrent capecitabine.

Unlabelled: huA33 is a humanized antibody that targets the A33 antigen, which is highly expressed in intestinal epithelium and more than 95% of human colon cancers but not other normal tissues. Previous studies have shown huA33 can target and be retained in a metastatic tumor for 6 wk but eliminated from normal colonocytes within days. This phase I study used radiolabeled huA33 in combination with capecitabine to target chemoradiation to metastatic colorectal cancer.

Very preterm adolescents show gender-dependent alteration of the structural brain correlates of spelling abilities.

Individuals born very preterm (VPT) are at risk of neurodevelopmental damage and of adverse educational outcomes in childhood and adolescence. The present study used voxel-based morphometry to investigate the association between grey matter and white matter volume and measures of language and executive functioning in VPT born adolescents and term-born controls by gender. VPT individuals (N=218) and controls (N=127) underwent neuropsychological assessment and MRI at age 14-15 as part of a longitudinal study.