Full preclinical validation of the 123I-labeled anti-PSMA antibody fragment ScFvD2B for prostate cancer imaging

Oncotarget. 2017 Feb 14;8(7):10919-10930. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.14229.

Abstract

Purpose: In the context of prostate cancer (PCa) imaging, the aim of this study was to optimize (in vitro) the specificity and assess preclinically (in vivo) the tumor targeting properties of the 123I-scFvD2B antibody specific for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

Experimental design: The 123I-labeling conditions of the antibody fragment scFvD2B, produced in an eukaryotic system under GMP-compliant conditions, were optimized and assessed for purity and immunoreactivity. The specificity and potency of tumor uptake were tested in three preclinical in vivo models of subcutaneously xenografted human tumors expressing different levels of PSMA (LNCaP, naturally expressing PSMA; PC3-PIP and LS174T-PSMA, transfected with PSMA) or PC3 and LS174T, as negative controls, to assess the clearance, biodistribution and imaging potential of 123I-scFvD2B.

Results: The set conditions of production and radiolabeling yielded a reagent suitable for human delivery thanks to the purity of the formulation and the high immunoreactivity. In all preclinical models 123I-scFvD2B showed specific targeting only to PSMA-positive tumors with the final specific activity ranging up to 1500 MBq/mg. Despite different levels of PSMA expression, biodistribution analyses and SPECT/CT imaging demonstrated similar results and maximal signal-to-background ratios 24 hours after injection.

Conclusions: Due to its in vitro and in vivo properties, 123I-scFvD2B could be a promising tool for the early diagnosis of PCa, and may represent a molecular imaging option to monitor disease progression and assist in the clinical management of PCa patients.

Keywords: 123I-radiolabeled antibody; imaging; prostate cancer; prostate-specific membrane antigen; scFv antibody fragment.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / immunology
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Male
  • Mice, Nude
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography / methods*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / pharmacokinetics*
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • FOLH1 protein, human
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II