Amplification of DNA damage by a γH2AX-targeted radiopharmaceutical.

Unlabelled: (111)In-DTPA-anti-γH2AX-Tat, which combines an anti-γH2AX antibody with a cell-penetrating peptide, Tat, and the Auger electron-emitting radioisotope, (111)In, targets the DNA damage signalling protein, γH2AX, and has potential as a probe for imaging DNA damage in vivo. The goal of this study was to investigate whether (111)In-DTPA-anti-γH2AX-Tat labelled to high specific activity (6MBq/μg) can amplify treatment-related DNA damage for therapeutic gain.

Methods: MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231/H2N (231-H2N) breast cancer cells were incubated with (111)In-DTPA-anti-γH2AX-Tat (3MBq, 6MBq/μg) or a control radioimmunoconjugate, (111)In-DTPA-mIgG-Tat, and exposed to IR or bleomycin.

Imaging DNA damage in vivo using gammaH2AX-targeted immunoconjugates.

DNA damage responses (DDR) occur during oncogenesis and therapeutic responses to DNA damaging cytotoxic drugs. Thus, a real-time method to image DNA damage in vivo would be useful to diagnose cancer and monitor its treatment. Toward this end, we have developed fluorophore- and radioisotope-labeled immunoconjugates to target a DDR signaling protein, phosphorylated histone H2A variant H2AX (γH2AX), which forms foci at sites of DNA double-strand breaks.

ErbB-2 blockade and prenyltransferase inhibition alter epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor trafficking and enhance (111)In-DTPA-hEGF Auger electron radiation therapy.

Unlabelled: The intracellular distribution of Auger electron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals is a determinant of cytotoxicity. However, the mechanisms by which these agents are routed through the cell are ill understood. The aim of this study was to investigate how trafficking of (111)In-labeled human epidermal growth factor ((111)In-DTPA-hEGF) relates to that of the EGF receptor (EGFR) and whether coadministration of agents that modulate EGFR signaling alters the efficacy of (111)In-DTPA-hEGF.