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A novel 18F-labeled two-helix scaffold protein for PET imaging of HER2-positive tumor

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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Two-helix scaffold proteins (~ 5 kDa) against human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) have been discovered in our previous work. In this research we aimed to develop an 18F-labeled two-helix scaffold protein for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of HER2-positive tumors.

Methods

An aminooxy-functionalized two-helix peptide (AO-MUT-DS) with high HER2 binding affinity was synthesized through conventional solid phase peptide synthesis. The purified linear peptide was cyclized by I2 oxidation to form a disulfide bridge. The cyclic peptide was then conjugated with a radiofluorination synthon, 4-18F-fluorobenzyl aldehyde (18F-FBA), through the aminooxy functional group at the peptide N terminus (30% yield, non-decay corrected). The binding affinities of the peptides were analyzed by Biacore analysis. Cell uptake assay of the resulting PET probe, 18F-FBO-MUT-DS, was performed at 37°C. 18F-FBO-MUT-DS with high specific activity (20–32 MBq/nmol, 88–140 μCi/μg, end of synthesis) was injected into mice xenograft model bearing SKOV3 tumor. MicroPET and biodistribution and metabolic stability studies were then conducted.

Results

Cell uptake assays showed high and specific cell uptake (~12% applied activity at 1 h) by incubation of 18F-FBO-MUT-DS with HER2 high-expressing SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. The affinities (KD) of AO-MUT-DS and FBO-MUT-DS as tested by Biacore analysis were 2 and 1 nM, respectively. In vivo small animal PET demonstrated fast tumor targeting, high tumor accumulation, and good tumor to normal tissue contrast of 18F-FBO-MUT-DS. Biodistribution studies further revealed that the probe had excellent tumor uptake (6.9%ID/g at 1 h post-injection) and was cleared through both liver and kidneys. Co-injection of the probe with 500 μg of HER2 Affibody protein reduced the tumor uptake (6.9 vs 1.8%ID/g, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

F-FBO-MUT-DS displays excellent HER2 targeting ability and tumor PET imaging quality. The two-helix scaffold proteins are suitable for development of 18F-based PET probes.

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Abbreviations

HER2:

Epidermal growth factor receptor type 2

FBO:

Fluorobenzyl oxime

PET:

Positron emission tomography

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

p.i.:

Post-injection

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported, in part, by the California Breast Cancer Research Program 14IB-0091 and an SNM Pilot Research Grant (ZC). We also thank the Radiochemistry Facility at MIPS for their help on 18F production.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Department of Radiology, Stanford Cancer Center, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Road, Lucas Expansion, P095, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Zheng Miao, Gang Ren, Lei Jiang, Hongguang Liu & Zhen Cheng

  2. Global Research, General Electric Company, Niskayuna, NY, 12309, USA

    Jack M. Webster, Rong Zhang & Faisal Syud

  3. MIPS, Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering, Stanford Cancer Center, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Mohammad Namavari & Sanjiv S. Gambhir

Authors
  1. Zheng Miao
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  2. Gang Ren
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  3. Lei Jiang
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  4. Hongguang Liu
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  5. Jack M. Webster
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  6. Rong Zhang
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  7. Mohammad Namavari
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  8. Sanjiv S. Gambhir
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  9. Faisal Syud
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  10. Zhen Cheng
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Correspondence to Zhen Cheng.

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Miao, Z., Ren, G., Jiang, L. et al. A novel 18F-labeled two-helix scaffold protein for PET imaging of HER2-positive tumor. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 38, 1977–1984 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-011-1879-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-011-1879-9

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