We have optimized an image-guided, antibody-based method for multi-step targeting (MST) of radiolabeled ?- emitting therapeutics (?-MST) to human tumors that has resulted in tumoricidal radiation doses and therapeutic indices (TI) of up to 120-fold between tumor and radiosensitive tissues. In preclinical studies, we have met critical translational landmarks, namely: 1) cure of solid tumors without collateral normal organ toxicity; and 2) detection of tumors of 10 mg or less, by non-invasive in vivo cross-sectional imaging in living mice. We now propose a novel extension of MST to effectively target extremely potent short-range high LET ?- emitting isotopes (?-MST) that, if successful, would allow ideal ?/?-MST stratification of therapy according to disease characteristics, such as size, tumor geometry, antigen heterogeneity, blood flow, hypoxia, and genetic composition?all features known to impact the effectiveness of radiation therapy to human tumors. In this proposal, we will characterize the efficacy and toxicity of ?-MST utilizing a novel carrier for the alpha- emitting isotope actinium-225, which we call ?225Ac-proteus-DOTA.? The proposed experimental studies have been designed to assay the parameters responsible for tumor uptake of ?-particles during ?-MST (specific activity, tumor-antigen density, and antibody-antigen complex internalization), develop an imaging surrogate for dosimetry, and evaluate therapeutic efficacy and toxicity as a single treatment modality, or in combination with ?-MST. The methods include serial non-invasive positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging of the individual components of the MST approach, ex vivo radioactivity counting of tissue samples, and assessments of therapeutic response. A single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging surrogate is also proposed for companion dosimetry and treatment monitoring. The experimental system is based on three antigen/antibody systems that have been studied extensively in patients: the anti-GPA33 antibody huA33 (colorectal cancer), anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (breast, ovarian, gastric), and anti-GD2 antibody hu3F8. Specifically, for ?-MST, we will use an MST schema that features novel bi-specific tetravalent anti-tumor antigen/-[M-DOTA] antibody constructs that react with both antigen (A33 or HER2) and radiometal- DOTA with high specificity and binding affinity. These two systems were chosen based on their contrasting membrane antibody-antigen internalization properties; huA33/GPA33 and trastuzumab/HER2 have slow and fast turnover, respectively, which can have significant dosimetry implications for ?-MST. This ?-MST approach will be studied in three different models in nude mice: a human colorectal cancer (SW1222) xenograft model, a human breast cancer (BT474) xenograft model, and a patient-derived tumor model (GPA33-positive), but importantly, can serve as a treatment guide for additional cancer types for which anti-tumor antigen/-[M-DOTA] antibody constructs are available. We anticipate that ?-MST can be applied as a single modality, as well as in combination with ?-MST, for highly effective radioimmunotherapy of solid and liquid human tumors.
We have developed a targeted theranostic molecular radiotherapy method known as the DOTA-PRIT platform that is based on antibodies suitable for use in treating common human tumors. Our studies in animal models have shown superior therapeutic index (TI), i.e., the ratio of tumor radiation dose to radiation to normal tissues. We propose using animal models of human colorectal cancer and human breast cancer to adapt the DOTA- PRIT platform for safe and effective tumor-targeting of actinium-225, a highly potent alpha-emitting therapeutic isotope, with the ultimate goal of precision medicine in patients with advanced cancers.
