Abstract
Background
Amivantamab is a novel bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR/c-MET) that are overexpressed in several types of cancer including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Targeting both receptors simultaneously can overcome resistance to mono-targeted therapy. The purpose of this study is to develop 89Zr-labeled amivantamab as a potential companion diagnostic imaging agent to amivantamab therapy using various preclinical models of TNBC for evaluation.
Methods
Amivantamab was conjugated to desferrioxamine (DFO) and radiolabeled with 89Zr to obtain [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab. Binding of the bispecific [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab as well as its mono-specific “single-arm” antibody controls were determined in vitro and in vivo. Biodistribution studies of [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab were performed in MDA-MB-468 xenografts to determine the optimal imaging time point. PET/CT imaging with [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab or its isotype control was performed in a panel of TNBC xenografts with varying levels of EGFR and c-MET expression.
Results
[89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab was synthesized with a specific activity of 148 MBq/mg and radiochemical yield of ≥ 95%. Radioligand binding studies and western blot confirmed the order of EGFR and c-MET expression levels: HCC827 lung cancer cell (positive control) > MDA-MB-468 > MDA-MB-231 > MDA-MB-453. [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab demonstrated bispecific binding in cell lines co-expressed with EGFR and c-MET. PET/CT imaging with [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab in TNBC xenografted mice showed standard uptake value (SUVmean) of 6.0 ± 1.1 in MDA-MB-468, 4.2 ± 1.4 in MDA-MB-231, and 1.5 ± 1.4 in MDA-MB-453 tumors, which are consistent with their receptors’ expression levels on the cell surface.
Conclusion
We have successfully prepared a radiolabeled bispecific antibody, [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab, and evaluated its pharmacologic and imaging properties in comparison with its single-arm antibodies and non-specific isotype controls. [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab demonstrated the greatest uptake in tumors co-expressing EGFR and c-MET.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the Yale PET Center for the use of the small animal PET/CT scanner, Washington University in St. Louis and 3D Imaging LLC for the production of 89Zr-oxalate, and Yale Pathology Translational Services for the immunohistochemical analyses.
Funding
This research was funded by the Lion Hearts. Mr. Lee, Dr. Cavaliere and Dr. Marquez-Nostra are supported in part by the NCI R00 CA201601.
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AC, SS, SM, and BMN contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by AC, SS, SL, JB, and ZL. All the authors contributed to the data analysis. The manuscript was written by AC, SL, and JB and edited by BMN, SS, and YH. All the authors reviewed and approved the manuscript.
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Sheri Moores is an employee of Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.
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Cavaliere, A., Sun, S., Lee, S. et al. Development of [89Zr]ZrDFO-amivantamab bispecific to EGFR and c-MET for PET imaging of triple-negative breast cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 48, 383–394 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-020-04978-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-020-04978-6