U.S. patent application number 11/592864 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for gastrin receptor-avid peptide conjugates.
Invention is credited to Chrys-Ann Higginbotham, Timothy J. Hoffman, Ning Li, Gary Sieckman, Wynn A. Volkert.
Application Number | 20070065362 11/592864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21930254 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070065362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoffman; Timothy J. ; et
al. |
March 22, 2007 |
Gastrin receptor-avid peptide conjugates
Abstract
A compound for use as a therapeutic or diagnostic
radiopharmaceutical includes a group capable of complexing a
medically useful metal attached to a moiety which is capable of
binding to a gastrin releasing peptide receptor. A method for
treating a subject having a neoplastic disease includes
administering to the subject an effective amount of a
radiopharmaceutical having a metal chelated with a chelating group
attached to a moiety capable of binding to a gastrin releasing
peptide receptor expressed on tumor cells with subsequent
internalization inside of the cell. A method of forming a
therapeutic or diagnostic compound includes reacting a metal
synthon with a chelating group covalently linked with a moiety
capable of binding a gastrin releasing peptide receptor.
Inventors: |
Hoffman; Timothy J.;
(Columbia, MO) ; Volkert; Wynn A.; (Columbia,
MO) ; Li; Ning; (Baltimore, MD) ; Sieckman;
Gary; (Ashland, MO) ; Higginbotham; Chrys-Ann;
(Columbia, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOHN & ASSOCIATES PLLC
30500 NORTHWESTERN HWY
STE 410
FARMINGTON HILLS
MI
48334
US
|
Family ID: |
21930254 |
Appl. No.: |
11/592864 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11025636 |
Dec 29, 2004 |
7147838 |
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11592864 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
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10122611 |
Apr 12, 2002 |
6921526 |
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11025636 |
Dec 29, 2004 |
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09064499 |
Apr 22, 1998 |
6200546 |
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10122611 |
Apr 12, 2002 |
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60044049 |
Apr 22, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/1.69 ;
530/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 51/088 20130101;
C07K 14/57572 20130101; C07F 5/003 20130101; A61K 38/00 20130101;
A61P 35/00 20180101; C07K 7/086 20130101; C07F 15/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/001.69 ;
530/400 |
International
Class: |
A61K 51/00 20060101
A61K051/00; C07K 14/575 20070101 C07K014/575 |
Goverment Interests
GRANT REFERENCE
[0002] The research carried out in connection with this invention
was supported in part by a grant from the Department of Energy
(DOE), grant number DE-FG02-89ER60875, a grant from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Research Division and the
Department of Radiology MU-C2-02691. The Government has certain
rights in the invention.
Claims
1-85. (canceled)
86. A compound having a structure of the formula X-(Y).sub.n-B,
wherein X is a metal binding moiety optionally bound to a metal, Y
is a spacer group, n is selected from the integers 0 and 1, and B
is a bombesin agonist.
87. The compound of claim 86, wherein Y is selected from the group
consisting of an amino acid sequence, a hydrocarbon chain, and a
combination thereof.
88. The compound of claim 87, wherein Y is a combination of
L-glutamine and a hydrocarbon chain.
89. The compound of claim 88, wherein Y is a combination of
L-glutamine and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbon chain.
90. The compound of claim 86, wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of S.sub.4, N.sub.3S, N.sub.2S.sub.2, and NS.sub.3.
91. The compound of claim 90, wherein X is N.sub.3S.
92. The compound of claim 86, wherein said bombesin agonist is
BBN(8-14).
93. The compound of claim 86, wherein said bombesin agonist is
BBN(8-13).
94. A complex comprising a metal and a compound having a structure
of the formula X-(Y).sub.n-B, wherein X is a metal binding moiety,
Y is a spacer group, n is selected from the integers 0 and 1, B is
a bombesin agonist, and the metal is a diagnostically or
therapeutically useful metal.
95. The complex of claim 94 wherein said metal is a .beta.- or
.gamma.-emitting isotope.
96. The complex of claim 95, wherein said metal is selected from
the group consisting of .sup.186Re--, .sup.188Re--, .sup.105Rh--,
and .sup.99mTc--.
97. The complex of claim 94, wherein Y is selected from the group
consisting of an amino acid sequence, a hydrocarbon chain, and a
combination thereof.
98. The complex of claim 97, wherein Y is a combination of
L-glutamine and a hydrocarbon chain.
99. The complex of claim 98, wherein Y is a combination of
L-glutamine and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbon chain.
100. The complex of claim 94, wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of S.sub.4, N.sub.3S, N.sub.2S.sub.2, and NS.sub.3.
101. The complex of claim 100, wherein X is N.sub.3S.
102. The complex of claim 94, wherein said bombesin agonist is
BBN(8-14).
103. The complex of claim 94, wherein said bombesin agonist is
BBN(8-13).
104. A method of imaging a tumor site in a patient comprising
administering to a subject a diagnostically effective amount of a
compound comprising a metal complexed with a chelating group
attached to a bombesin agonist and said compound has a structure of
the formula X-(Y).sub.n-B, wherein X is a metal binding moiety, Y
is a spacer group, n is selected from the integers 0 and 1, and B
is a bombesin agonist.
105. The method of claim 104, wherein said metal is a .beta.- or
.gamma.-emitting isotope.
106. The method of claim 105, wherein said metal is selected from
the group consisting of .sup.186Re--, .sup.188Re--, .sup.105Rh--,
and .sup.99mTc--.
107. The method of claim 104, wherein Y is selected from the group
consisting of an amino acid sequence, a hydrocarbon chain, and a
combination thereof.
108. The method of claim 107, wherein Y is a combination of
L-glutamine and a hydrocarbon chain.
109. The method of claim 108, wherein Y is a combination of
L-glutamine and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbon chain.
110. The method of claim 104, wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of S.sub.4, N.sub.3S, N.sub.2S.sub.2, and NS.sub.3.
111. The method of claim 110, wherein X is N.sub.3S.
112. The method of claim 104, wherein said bombesin agonist is
BBN(8-14).
113. The method of claim 104, wherein said bombesin agonist is
BBN(8-13).
Description
[0001] This application is based on Provisional Application which
was filed on Apr. 22, 1997, Ser. No. 60/044,049.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates to radionuclide-labeled compounds
useful as radiopharmaceuticals. More particularly, the present
invention relates to conjugates of bombesin (BBN) analogues and a
metal complexing group which, when complexed to a radionuclide, are
useful therapeutic and imaging agents for cancer cells that express
gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Detection and treatment of cancers using
radiopharmaceuticals that selectively target cancers in human
patients has been employed for several decades. Unfortunately, only
a limited number of site-directed radiopharmaceuticals that exhibit
highly specific in vivo localization in or near cancer cells are
currently in routine use, as being approved by the United States
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is a great deal of
interest in developing new radioactive drugs due to the emergence
of more sophisticated biomolecular carriers that have high affinity
and high specificity for in vivo targeting of tumors. Several types
of agents are being developed and have been investigated including
monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), antibody fragments (F.sub.AB's and
(F.sub.AB).sub.2's), receptor-avid peptides [Bushbaum, 1995;
Fischman et al., 1993; Schubiger et al. 1996].
[0005] The potential utility of using radiolabeled receptor-avid
peptides for producing radiopharmaceuticals is best exemplified by
.sup.111In-DTPA-conjugated octreotide (an FDA approved diagnostic
imaging agent, Octreoscan.RTM., marketed in the United States by
Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc.) [Lowbertz et al. 1994]. This
radiopharmaceutical is an .sup.111In-DTPA conjugate of Octreotide,
a small peptide analogue of the human hormone somatostatin. This
drug specifically binds to somatostatin receptors that are
over-expressed on neuroendocrine cancers (e.g., carcinoid Ca,
neuroblastoma, etc.) as well as others [Kenning et al., 1994].
Since indium-111 (.sup.111In) is not the ideal radionuclide for
scintigraphic imaging, other somatostatin analogues and other
receptor-avid biomolecules that are labeled with .sup.99mTc (the
optimal radionuclide for diagnostic imaging) are being studied and
developed [Eckelman, 1995; Vallabhajosula et al., 1996].
[0006] Bombesin (BBN) is a 14 amino acid peptide that is an
analogue of human gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) that binds to GRP
receptors with high specificity and has an affinity similar to GRP
[Davis et al., 1992]. GRP receptors have been shown to be
over-expressed or uniquely expressed on several types of cancer
cells. Binding of GRP receptor agonists (also autocrine factors)
increases the rate of cell division of these cancer cells. For this
reason, a great deal of work has been, and is being pursued to
develop BBN or GRP analogues that are antagonists [Davis et al.,
1992; Hoffken, 1994; Moody et al., 1996; Coy et al., 1988; Cai et
al., 1994]. These antagonists are designed to competitively inhibit
endogenous GRP binding to GRP receptors and reduce the rate of
cancer cell proliferation [Hoffken, 1994]. Treatment of cancers
using these antagonists with these non-radioactive peptides
requires chronic injection regimens (e.g., daily, using large
quantities of the drug).
[0007] In designing an effective receptor-avid radiopharmaceutical
for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent for cancer, it is
important that the drug have appropriate in vivo targeting and
pharmacokinetic properties [Fritzberg et al., 1992; Eckelman et
al., 1993]. For example, it is essential that the radiolabeled
receptor-avid peptide have high specific uptake by the cancer cells
(e.g., via GRP receptors). In addition, it is necessary that once
the radionuclide localizes at a tumor site, it must remain there
for an extended time to deliver a highly localized radiation dose
to the tumor. In order to achieve sufficiently high specific uptake
of radiolabeled BBN analogues in tumors, the binding affinity of
promising derivatives must be high (i.e., K.sub.d1.apprxeq.1-5
nmolar or less) with prolonged retention of radioactivity [Eckelman
et al., 1995; Eckelman, et al., 1993]. Work with .sup.125I-BBN
derivatives has shown, however, that for cancer cells that bind the
.sup.125I-BBN derivatives (whether they be agonists or
antagonists), the radioactivity is either washed off or expelled
from the cells (in vitro) at a rapid rate [Hoffman et al., 1997].
Thus, these types of derivatives have a low probability of
remaining "trapped" at the tumor site (in vivo) sufficiently long
to be effective therapeutic or diagnostic agents.
[0008] Developing radiolabeled peptides that are cleared
efficiently from normal tissues is also an important and especially
critical factor for therapeutic agents. When labeling biomolecules
(e.g., MAb, F.sub.AB's or peptides) with metallic radionuclides
(via a chelate conjugation), a large percentage of the metallic
radionuclide (in some chemical form) usually becomes "trapped" in
either the kidney or liver parenchyma (i.e., is not excreted into
the urine or bile) [Duncan et al., 1997; Mattes, 1995]. For the
smaller radiolabeled biomolecules (i.e., peptides or F.sub.AB's),
the major route of clearance of activity is through the kidneys
which in turn retain high levels of the radioactive metal (i.e.,
normally>10-15% of the injected dose) [Duncan et al., 1997]. Tis
presents a major problem that must be overcome in the development
of therapeutic agents that incorporate metallic radionuclides,
otherwise the radiation dose to the kidneys would be excessive. For
example, .sup.111In-octreotide, the FDA approved diagnostic agent,
exhibits high uptake and retention in kidneys of patients [Eckelman
et al., 1995]. Even though the radiation dose to the kidneys is
higher than desirable, it is tolerable in that it is a diagnostic
radiopharmaceutical (it does not emit alpha- or beta-particles),
and the renal dose does not produce observable radiation induced
damage to the organ.
[0009] It has now been found that conjugating BBN derivatives which
are agonists in non-metallated conjugates which that exhibit
binding affinities to GRP receptors that are either similar to or
approximately an order of magnitude lower than the parent BBN
derivative. [Li et al., 1996a]. These data coupled with our recent
results show that it is now possible to add radiometal chelates to
BBN analogues, which are agonists, and retain GRP receptor binding
affinities that are sufficiently high (i.e., approx. 1-5 nmolar
K.sub.d's) for further development as potential
radiopharmaceuticals. These agonist conjugates are transported
intracellularly after binding to cell surface GRP receptors and
retained inside of the cells for extended time periods. In
addition, in vivo studies in normal mice have shown that retention
of the radioactive metal in the kidneys was low (i.e., <5%) with
the majority of the radioactivity excreted into the urine.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a BBN conjugate consisting of essentially a radio-metal
chelate covalently appended to the receptor binding region of BBN
[e.g., BBN(8-14)] to form radiolabeled BBN analogues that have high
specific binding affinities with GRP receptors. These analogues are
retained for long times inside of GRP expressing cancer cells.
Furthermore, their clearance from the bloodstream, into the urine
with minimal kidney retention, is efficient. Preferably, the
radiometals are selected from .sup.99mTc, .sup.186/188Re,
.sup.105Rh, .sup.153Sm, .sup.166Ho, .sup.90Y or .sup.199Au, all of
which hold the potential for diagnostic (i.e., .sup.99mTc) or
therapeutic (i.e., .sup.186/188Re, .sup.105Rh, .sup.153Sm,
.sup.116Ho, .sup.90Y, and .sup.199Au) utility in cancer patients
[Schubiger et al, 1996; Eckelman, 1995; Troutner, 1978].
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a compound for use as a therapeutic or diagnostic
radiopharmaceutical which includes a group which is capable of
complexing a metal attached to a moiety capable of binding to a
gastrin releasing peptide receptor.
[0012] Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, a
method for treating a subject having a neoplastic disease which
includes the step of administering to the subject an effective
amount of a radiopharmaceutical having a metal chelated with a
chelating group attached to a moiety capable of binding to a
gastrin releasing peptide receptor on a cancer cell, subsequently
intracellularly transported and residualized inside the cell, is
disclosed.
[0013] Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, a
method of forming a therapeutic or diagnostic compound including
the step of reacting a metal synthon with a chelating group
covalently linked with a moiety capable of binding a gastrin
releasing peptide receptor is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a radiometal conjugate according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an ORTEP drawing of the
{Rh[16]aneS.sub.4-olCl.sub.2}.sup.+, illustrating the crystal
structure a Rhodium macrocycle;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a coupling reaction wherein a spacer
group is coupled to a bombesin agonist binding moiety;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a coupling reaction for coupling a metal
chelate to a peptide;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates several iodinated bombesin analogues
including their IC.sub.50's;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates several tethered bombesin analogues;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates several [16]aneS.sub.4 bombesin
analogues;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating IC.sub.50 analysis wherein
%-I-125-BBN total uptake versus molar concentration of displacing
ligand is shown;
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates several Rhodium-[16]aneS.sub.4 bombesin
analogues;
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates an HTLC chromatogram of Rhodiumn-BBN-37
wherein (A) illustrates .sup.105RhCl.sub.2-BBN-37 and (B)
illustrates RhCl.sub.2-BBN-37;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-bombesin
internalization efflux from Swiss 3T3 cells;
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates 1-125 bombesin internalization efflux in
I-125 free buffer wherein .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN vs.
.sup.125I-Lys.sup.3-BBN efflux from Swiss 3T3 cells is shown;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the efflux of
.sup.105Rh-BBN-37 from Swiss 3T3 cells;
[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates several .sup.105Rhodium bombesin
analogues including their IC.sub.50's;,
[0029] FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating .sup.105Rh-BBN-61 efflux
from Swiss 3T3 cells;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the efflux of
.sup.105Rh-BBN-22 vs. .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 from Swiss 3T3 cells;
[0031] FIG. 17 are graphs illustrating Pancreatic CA cell binding
wherein (A) illustrates the efflux .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN from CF
PAC1 cells and (B) illustrates the efflux of .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 from
CF PAC1 cells; and
[0032] FIG. 18 are graphs illustrating Prostate CA cell binding
wherein (A) illustrates the efflux of 125-Tyr.sup.4-BBN from PC-3
cells and (B) illustrates the efflux of .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 from PC-3
cells.
[0033] FIG. 19 illustrates 5 [16]aneS.sub.4 bombesin analogues.
[0034] FIG. 20 illustrates 4 Rhodium-[16]aneS.sub.4 bombesin
analogues.
[0035] FIG. 21 illustrates 3 different N.sub.3S-BFCA conjugates of
BBN(7-14).
[0036] FIG. 22 illustrates on HPLC chromatogram of
.sup.99mTc-BBN-122.
[0037] FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating .sup.99mTC-BBN-122
internalization efflux from human prostate cancer cells (PC-3
cells).
[0038] FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating .sup.99mTc-BBN-122
internalization efflux from human pancreatic tumor cells (CFPAC-1
cells).
[0039] FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating .sup.99mTc-RP414-BBN42
retention in PC-3 prostate cancer cells.
[0040] FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating 99mTc42 retention in CFPAC-1
pancreatic cancer cells.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] According to the present invention, compounds for use as
diagnostic and/or therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals include a group
capable of complexing a metal attached to a moiety capable of
binding to a gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptor as shown in
FIG. 1. The moiety capable of specific binding to the GRP receptor
is a GRP agonist. A GRP agonist would activate or produce response
by the GRP receptor upon interaction with the GRP receptor and
would be subsequently internalized inside of the cell by
endocytosis. In contrast, a GRP antagonist would counteract the
effect of an agonist and would not be internalized inside of the
cell.
[0042] More specifically, the GRP agonist is a compound such as
selected amino acid sequences or peptidomimetics which are known to
activate the cell following binding with high affinity and
selectivity to GRP receptors and that can be covalently linked to
the metal complexing group. Many examples of specific modifications
of the BBN(8-14) that can be made to produce sequences with high
antagonistic and agonistic binding affinity for GRP repectors have
been reported by numerous investigations [Davis et al., 1992;
Hoffken, 1994; Moody et al., 1996; Coy et al., 1988; Cai et al.,
1994; Moody et al., 1995; Leban et al., 1994; Cai et al.,
1992].
[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
metal complexing group or moiety is a chelating agent or chelator
which complexes to metals such as .sup.105Rh--, .sup.186/188Re--,
.sup.99mTc, .sup.153Sm, .sup.166Ho, .sup.90Y or .sup.199Au. The
chelating agent or chelator is attached or bound to the GRP agonist
"binding region" to produce a conjugate that retains its capability
for high affinity and specific binding to GRP receptors.
[0044] In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
GRP agonist is a bombesin (BBN) analogue and/or a derivative
thereof. The BBN derivative or analog thereof preferably contains
either the same primary structure of the BBN binding region [i.e.,
BBN(8-14)] or similar primary structures, with specific amino acid
substitutions, that will specifically bind to GRP receptors with
better or similar binding affinities as BBN alone (i.e.,
K.sub.d.apprxeq.1-5 nmolar) Compounds containing this BBN binding
region (or binding moiety), when covalently linked to other groups
(e.g., a radiometal chelate), are also referred to as BBN
conjugates.
[0045] In general, the compounds of the present invention have a
structure of the general formula: X-Y-B wherein X is a group
capable of complexing a metal, such as a radiometal; Y is a
covalent bond on a spacer group; and B is a bombesin agonist
binding moiety.
[0046] The metal bound to the metal complexing group can be any
suitable metal chosen for a specific therapeutic or diagnostic use
including transition metals and y and x emitting isotopes.
Preferably, the metal is a radiometal such as .sup.105Rh-,
.sup.99mTc-, .sup.186/188Re, .sup.153Sm-, .sup.166Ho-, .sup.90Y-,
and .sup.199Au- whose chelates can be covalently linked (i.e.,
conjugated) to the specific BBN binding region via the N-terminal
end of the primary binding sequence (e.g., BBN-8 or Trp.sup.8) as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the radiometal complexes are
positioned by being spaced apart from or remotely from the amino
acid Trp.sup.8 by the spacer groups. The spacer groups can include
a peptide (i.e., .gtoreq.1 amino acid in length), a hydrocarbon
spacer of C.sub.1-C.sub.10 or a combination of thereof. Preferably,
the hydrocarbon spacer has is a C.sub.3-C.sub.9 group. The
resulting radio-labeled BBN conjugates retain high binding affinity
and specificity for GRP receptors and are subsequently internalized
inside of the cell.
[0048] The BBN conjugates can further incorporate a spacer group or
component to couple the binding moiety to the metal chelator (or
metal binding backbone) while not adversely affecting either the
targeting function of the BBN-binding moiety or the metal
complexing function of the metal chelating agent.
[0049] The term "spacer group" or "linker" refers to a chemical
group that serves to couple the BBN binding moiety to the metal
chelator while not adversely affecting either the targeting
function of the BBN binding moiety or the metal complexing function
of the metal chelator. Suitable spacer groups include peptides
(i.e., amino acids linked together) alone, a non-peptide group
(e.g., hydrocarbon chain) or a combination of an amino acid
sequence and a non-peptide spacer. The type of spacer group used in
most of the experimental studies described below in the Examples
section were composed of a combination of L-glutamine and
hydrocarbon spacers. A pure peptide spacer could consist of a
series of amino acids (e.g., diglycine, triglycine, gly-gly-glu,
etc.), in which the total number of atoms between the N-terminal
residue of the BBN binding moiety and the metal chelator in the
polymeric chain is .ltoreq.12 atoms.
[0050] The spacer can also include a hydrocarbon chain [i.e.,
R.sub.1--(CH.sub.2).sub.n--R.sub.2] wherein n is 0-10, preferably
n=3 to 9, R.sub.1 is a group (e.g., H.sub.2N--, HS--, --COOH) that
can be used as a site for covalently linking the ligand backbone or
the performed metal chelator or metal complexing backbone; and
R.sub.2 is a group that is used for covalent coupling to the
N-terminal NH.sub.2-group of the BBN binding moiety (e.g., R.sub.2
is an activated COOH group). Several chemical methods for
conjugating ligands (i.e., chelators) or preferred metal chelates
to biomolecules have been well described in the literature [Wilbur,
1992; Parker, 1990; Hermanson, 1996; Frizberg et al., 1995]. One or
more of these methods could be used to link either the uncomplexed
ligand (chelator) or the radiometal chelate to the spacer group or
to link the spacer group to the BBN(8-14) derivatives. These
methods include the formation of acid anhydrides, aldehydes,
arylisothiocyanates, activated esters, or N-hydroxysuccinmides
[Wilbur, 1992; Parker, 1990; Hermanson, 1996; Frizberg et al.,
1995].
[0051] The term "metal complexing chelator" refers to a molecule
that forms a complex with a metal atom that is stable under
physiological conditions. That is, the metal will remain complexed
to the chelator backbone in vivo. More particularly, a metal
complexing chelator is a molecule that complexes to a radionuclide
metal to form a metal complex that is stable under physiological
conditions and which also has at least one reactive functional
group for conjugation with the BBN agonist binding moiety. Metal
complexing chelators can include monodentate and polydentate
chelators [Parker, 1990; Frizberg et al., 1995; Lister-James et.
al., 1997; Li et al., 1996b; Albert et al., 1991; Pollak et al.,
1996; de Jong et al., 1997; Smith et al., 1997]. Metal complexing
chelators include tetradentate metal chelators which can be
macrocyclic and have a combination of four nitrogen and/or sulphur
metal-coordinating atoms [Parker et al., 1990; Li et al., 1996b]
and are designated as N.sub.4, S.sub.4, N.sub.3S, N.sub.2S.sub.2,
NS.sub.3, etc. as shown in FIG. 2. A number of suitable
multidentate chelators that have been used to conjugate proteins
and receptor-avid molecules have been reported [Frizberg, et al.,
1995; Lister-James et al., 1997; Li et al., 1996b; Albert et al.,
1991; Pollak et al., 1996; de Jong et al., 1997]. These
multidentate chelators can also incorporate other
metal-coordinating atoms such as oxygen and phosphorous in various
combinations. The metal binding complexing moiety can also include
"3+1" chelators [Seifert et al., 1998].
[0052] For diagnostic purposes, metal complexing chelators
preferably include chelator backbones for complexing the
radionuclide metal .sup.99mTc. For therapeutic purposes, metal
complexing chelators preferably include chelator backbones that
complex the radionuclide metals .sup.105Rh, .sup.186/188Re,
.sup.153Sm, .sup.90Y, .sup.166Ho, and .sup.199Au [Schubiger et
al.,1996; Hoffken, 1994].
[0053] As was briefly described above, the term "bombesin agonist"
or "BBN agonist" refers to compounds that bind with high
specificity and affinity to GRP receptors, and upon binding to the
GRP receptor, are intracellularly internalized. Suitable compounds
include peptides, peptidomimetics and analogues and derivatives
thereof. In particular, previous work has demonstrated that the
region on the BBN peptide structure required for binding to GRP
receptors spans from residue 8 through 14 [Davis et al., 1992;
Hoffken, 1994; Moody et al., 1996; Coy, 1988; Cai et al., 1994].
The presence of metnionine (Met) at position BBN-14 will generally
confer agonistic properties while the absence of this residue at
BBN-14 generally confers antagonistic properties [Hoffken,
1994].
[0054] It is well documented in the art that there are a few and
selective number of specific ammo acid substitutions in the BBN
(8-14) binding region (e.g., D-Ala.sup.11 for L-Gly.sup.11 or
D-Trp.sup.8 for L-Trp.sup.8), which can be made without decreasing
binding affinity [Leban et al., 1994; Qin et al., 1994; Jensen et
al., 1993]. In addition, attachment of some amino acid chains or
other groups to the N-terminal amine group at position BBN-8 (i.e.,
the Trp.sup.8 residue) can dramatically decrease the binding
affinity of BBN analogues to GRP receptors [Davis et al., 1992;
Hoffken, 1994; Moody et al., 1996; Coy, et al., 1988; Cai et al.,
1994]. In a few cases, it is possible to append additional amino
acids or chemical moieties without decreasing binding affinity. The
effects of conjugating various side chains to BBN-8 on binding
affinity, therefore, is not predicable.
[0055] The BBN conjugates of the present invention can be prepared
by various methods depending upon the selected chelator. The
peptide portion of the conjugate can be most conveniently prepared
by techniques generally established and known in the art of peptide
synthesis, such as the solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
approach. Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) involves the
stepwise addition of amino acid residues to a growing peptide chain
that is linked to an insoluble support or matrix, such as
polystyrene. The C-terminal residue of the peptide is first
anchored to a commercially available support with its amino group
protected with an N-protecting agent such as a t-butyloxycarbonyl
group (tBoc) or a fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMOC) group. The amino
protecting group is removed with suitable deprotecting agents such
as TFA in the case of TBOC or piperidine for FMOC and the next
amino acid residue (in N-protected form) is added with a coupling
agent such as dicyclocarbodjimide (DCC). Upon formation of a
peptide bond, the reagents are washed from the support. After
addition of the final residue, the peptide is cleaved from the
support with a suitable reagent such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)
or hydrogen fluoride (HF).
[0056] The spacer groups and chelator components are then coupled
to form a conjugate by reacting the free amino group of the
Trp.sup.3 residue of the BBN binding moiety with an appropriate
functional group of the chelator, metal chelator or spacer group,
such as a carboxyl group or activated ester.
[0057] The BBN conjugate can also incorporate a metal complexing
chelator backbone that is peptidic and compatible with solid-phase
peptide synthesis. In this case, the chelator backbone can be added
to the BBN binding moiety in the same manner as described above or,
more conveniently, the metal completing chelator backbone coupled
to the BBN binding moiety can be synthesized in toto starting from
the C-terminal residue of the peptide and ending with the
N-terminal residue of the metal complexing chelator structure.
[0058] The chelator backbones used in accordance with the present
invention are commercially available or they could be made by
methods similar to those outlined in the literature [Frizberg et
al., 1995; Lister-James et al., 1997; Li et al., 1996b; Albert et
al., 1991; Pollak et al., 1996; de Jong et al., 1997; Smith et al.,
1997; Seifert et al., 1998]. Attachment of the spacer groups to
functionalizable atoms appended to the ligand backbone can be
performed by standard methods known to those skilled in the art.
For example, the HOBt/HBTU activated --COOH group on 5-aminovaleric
acid (5-AVA) was reacted with the N-terminal amine on Gln.sup.7 to
produce an amide linkage as shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, the --COOH
group attached to the characterized [16]aneS.sub.4 ligand was
conjugated to the amine group on the hydrocarbon spacer (shown
below) by reaction of the HOBt/HBTU activated carboxyl group
appended to the [16]aneS.sub.4 macrocycle with the terminal amine
group on 5-AVA to form BBN-37 as shown in FIG. 4. Other standard
conjugation reactors that produce covalent linkages with amine
groups can also be used [Wilbur, 1992; Parker, 1990].
[0059] The chelating framework, conjugated via Trp.sup.8, complexes
the radiometals should form a 1:1 chelator to metal ratio. Since
.sup.99mTc has a short half-life (6 hour) and is a diagnostic
radionuclide, the method of forming the .sup.99mTc-BBN analogues
should permit complexation (either directly or by transmetallation)
of .sup.99mTc to the conjugated chelating framework in a one-step,
high yield reaction (exemplified below in the Experimental
Section).
[0060] In contrast, the longer half lives of the therapeutic
radionuclides (e.g., .sup.105Rh, .sup.186/188Re, .sup.153Sm,
.sup.166Ho, .sup.90Y, or .sup.199Au) permit formation of the
corresponding radiolabeled BBN analogues by either a one step high
yield complexation step or by performing a .sup.105Rh--,
.sup.186/188Re--, .sup.153Sm, .sup.166Ho, .sup.90Y or .sup.199Au
chelate synthon followed by conjugation of the performed complex to
the. N-terminal end of the BBN binding moiety. In all cases, the
resulting specific activity of the final radiolabeled BBN
derivative must be high (i.e., >1 Ci/.mu.mole).
Re- and Tc-conjugates
[0061] Re and Tc are both in row VIIB of the Periodic Table and
they are chemical congeners. Thus, for the most part, the
complexation chemistry of these two metals with ligand frameworks
that exhibit high in vitro and in vivo stabilities are the same
[Eckelman, 1995]. Many .sup.99mTc or .sup.186/188Re complexes,
which are employed to form stable radiometal complexes with
peptides and proteins, chelate these metals in their +5 oxidation
state [Lister-James et al., 1997]. This oxidation state makes it
possible to selectively place .sup.99mTc-- or .sup.186/188Re into
ligand frameworks already conjugated to the biomolecule,
constructed from a variety of .sup.99mTc(V) and/or
.sup.186/188Re(V) weak chelates (e.g., .sup.99mTc--glucoheptonate,
citrate, gluconate, etc.) [Eckelman, 1995; Lister-Jarnes et al.,
1997; Pollak et al., 1996]. Tetradentate ligand frameworks have
been shown to form well-defined, single chemical species in high
specific activities when at least one thiol group or at least one
hydroxymethylene phosphine group is present on the ligand backbone
[Smith et al., 1997].
[0062] Ligands which form stable Tc(V) or Re(V) tetradentate
complexes containing, but not limited to, amino N-atoms,
amido-N-atoms, carboxy-O-atoms and thioether-S-atoms, are donor
atoms that can also be present [Eckelman, 1995; Fritzberg et al.,
1992; Parker, 1990; Frizberg et al., 1995; Pollak et al., 1996;
Seifert et al., 1998]. Depending upon the mix of donor atoms
(groups), the overall complex charge normally ranges from -1 to
+1.
[0063] Incorporation of the metal within the conjugate can be
achieved by various methods commonly known in the art of
coordination chemistry. When the metal is technetium--99m, the
following general procedure can be used to form a technetium
complex. A peptide-chelator conjugate solution is formed by
initially dissolving the conjugate in aqueous alcohol such as
ethanol. The solution is then degassed to remove oxygen. When an
--SH group is present in the peptide, the thiol protecting group
are removed with a suitable reagent, for example with sodium
hydroxide, and are then neutralized with an organic acid such as
acetic acid (pH 6.0-6.5). In the labeling step, sodium
pertechnetate obtained from a molybdenum generator is added to a
solution of the conjugate with a sufficient amount of a reducing
agent, such as stannous chloride, to reduce technetium and is then
heated. The labeled conjugate can be separated from the
contaminants .sup.99mTcO.sub.4.sup.- and colloidal
.sup.99mTcO.sub.2 chromatographically, for example with a C-18 Sep
Pak cartridge [Mllipore Corporation, Waters Chromatography
Division, 34 Maple Street, Milford, Mass. 01757].
[0064] In an alternative method, the labeling can be accomplished
by a transchelation reaction. The technetium source is a solution
of technetium complexed with labile ligands facilitating ligand
exchange with the selected chelator. Examples of suitable ligands
for transchelation includes tartrate, citrate, gluconate, and
heptagluconate. It will be appreciated that the conjugate can be
labeled using the techniques described above, or alternatively, the
chelator itself may be labeled and subsequently coupled to the
peptide to form the conjugate; a process referred to as the
"prelabeled chelate" method.
[0065] When labeled with diagnostically and/or therapeutically
useful metals, peptide-chelator conjugates or pharmaceutically
acceptable salts, esters, amides, and prodrugs of the present
invention can be used to treat and/or detect cancers, including
tumors, by procedures established in the art of radiodiagnostics
and radiotherapeutics. [Bushbaum, 1995; Fischman et al., 1993;
Schubiger et al., 1996; Lowbertz et al., 1994; Krenning et al.,
1994]. A conjugate labeled with a radionuclide metal, such as
technetium-99m, can be administered to a mammal, including human
patients or subjects, by intravenous or intraperitoneal injection
in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or solution such as
salt solutions like isotonic saline. The amount of labeled
conjugate appropriate for administration is dependent upon the
distribution profile of the chosen conjugate in the sense that a
rapidly cleared conjugate may be administered in higher doses than
one that clears less rapidly. Unit doses acceptable for Tc-99m
imaging radiophannaceuticals inflammation are in the range of about
5-40 mCi for a 70 kg individual. In vivo distribution and
localization can be tracked by standard scintigraphic techniques at
an appropriate time subsequent to administration; typically between
thirty minutes and 180 minutes depending upon the rate of
accumulation at the target site with respect to the rate of
clearance at non-target tissue.
[0066] The compounds of the present invention can be administered
to a patient alone or as part of a composition that contains other
components such as excipients, diluents, and carriers, all of which
are well-known in the art. The compounds can be administered to
patients either intravenously or intraperitoneally.
[0067] There are numerous advantages associated with the present
invention. The compounds made in accordance with the present
invention forms a stable, well-defined .sup.99mTc or .sup.186/188Re
conjugate analogues of BBN agonists. Similar BBN against analogues
can also be made by using appropriate chelator frameworks for the
respective radiometals, to form stable-well-defined products
labeled with .sup.153Sm, .sup.90Y, .sup.166Ho, .sup.105Rh or
.sup.199Au. The radiolabeled BBN agonist conjugates selectively
bind to neoplastic cells expressing GRP receptors become
internalized and are retained in the tumor cells for extended time
periods. Incorporating the spacer group between the metal chelator
and the BBN agonist binding moiety maximizes the uptake and
retention of the radioactive metal inside of the neoplasts or
cancer cells. The radioactive material that does not reach (i.e.,
does not bind) the cancer cells is preferentially excreted
efficiently into the urine with minimal radiometal retention in the
kidneys.
[0068] The following examples are presented to illustrate specific
embodiments and demonstrate the utility of the present
invention.
Experimental Section
EXAMPLE I
Synthesis and In Vitro Binding Assessment of Synthetic BBN
Analogues Employing Hydrocarbon Chain Spacers
[0069] A. Synthesis:
[0070] Many BBN analogues were synthesized by Solid Phase Peptide
Synthesis (SPPS). Each peptide was prepared by SPPS using an
Applied Biosystems Model 432A peptide synthesizer. After cleavage
of each BBN analogue from the resin using Trifluoracetic acid
(TFA), the peptides were purified by C.sub.18 reversed-phase HPLC
using a Vydac HS54 column and CH.sub.3CN/H.sub.2O containing 0.1%
TFA as the mobile phase. After collection of the fraction
containing the desired BBN peptide (approx. 80-90% yield in most
cases), the solvent was evaporated. The identity of each BBN
peptide was confirmed by FAB-mass spectrometry, Department of
Chemistry--Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
[0071] Various amino acid sequences (in some cases including
different chemical moieties) were conjugated to the N-terminal end
of the BBN binding region (i.e., to BBN-8 or Trp.sup.8). BBN
analogue numbers 9, 15, 15i, 16, 16i and 18 were synthesized as
examples of N-terminal modified peptides as shown in FIG. 5.
[0072] Various tethered N-terminal (via Trp.sup.8) BBN analogues
were also synthesized by SPPS as exemplified by BBN-40, BBN-41,
BBN-42, BBN-43, BBN-44, BBN45, and BBN-49 as shown in FIG. 6. In
these particular tethered peptides, a Glu residue was attached to
Trp.sup.8 followed by attachment of FMOC protected terminal amine
groups separated from a --COOH group by 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 8- and
11-carbon chain (CH) spacers (FIG. 6). These FmOC protected acids
were added as the terminal step during the SPPS cycle. As described
previously, each of the BBN analogues was purified by
reversed-phase HPLC and characterized by high resolution Mass
Spectroscopy. Peptide 49 employed only glutamine as the spacer
group.
[0073] The [16]aneS.sub.4 macrocyclic ligand was conjugated to
selected tethered BBN analogues shown in FIG. 6. The
--OCH.sub.2COOH group on the [16]aneS.sub.4 macrocycle derivative
was activated via HOBt/HBTU so that it efficiently formed an amide
bond with the terminal NH.sub.2 group on the spacer side arm
(following deprotection). The corresponding [16]aneS.sub.4 tethered
BBN derivatives were produced and examples of 4 of these
derivatives (i.e., BBN-22, -37, -46 and -47) are shown in FIG. 7.
As previously described, each [16]aneS.sub.4 BBN derivative was
purified by reversed phase HPLC and characterized by FAB Mass
Spectroscopy.
[0074] B. In Vitro Binding Affinities
[0075] The binding affinities of the synthetic BBN derivatives were
assessed for GRP receptors on Swiss 3T3 cells and, in some cases,
on a variety of human cancer cell lines, that express GRP
receptors. The IC.sub.50's of each derivative was determined
relative to (i.e., in competition with) .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN
(the K.sub.d for .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4BBN for GRP receptors in Swiss
3T3 cells is reported to be 1.6.+-.0.4 nM) [Zueht et al., 1991].
The cell binding assay methods used to measure the IC.sub.50's is
standard and was used by techniques previously reported [Jensen et
al., 1993; Cai et al., 1994; Cai et al., 1992]. The methods-used
for determining IC.sub.50's with all GRP receptor binding of GRP
receptors on all cell lines was similar. The specific method used
to measure IC.sub.50's on Swiss 3T3 cells is briefly described as
follows:
[0076] Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts are grown to confluence in 48
well microtiter plates. An incubation media was prepared consisting
of HEPES (11.916 g/l), NaCl (7.598 g/l), KCl (0.574 g/l),
MgCl.sub.2 (1.106 g/l), EGTA (0.380 g/l), BSA (5.0 g/l),
chymostatin (0.002 g/l), soybean trypsin inhibitor (0.200 g/l), and
bacitracin (0.050 g/l). The growth media was removed, the cells
were washed twice with incubation media, and incubation media was
returned to the cells. .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN (0.01 .mu.Ci) was
added to each well in the presence of increasing concentrations of
the appropriate competitive peptide. Typical concentrations of
displacing peptide ranged from 10.sup.-12 to 10.sup.-5 moles of
displacing ligand per well. The cells were incubated at 37.degree.
C. for forty minutes in a 95%O.sub.2/5%CO.sub.2 humidified
environment. At forty minutes post initiation of the incubation,
the medium was discarded, and the cells were washed twice with cold
incubation media. The cells were harvested from the wells following
incubation in a trypsin/EDTA solution for five minutes at
37.degree. C. Subsequently, the radioactivity, per well, was
determined and the maximum % total uptake of the radiolabeled
peptide was determined and normalized to 100%.
[0077] C. Results of Binding Affinity Measurements
[0078] The IC.sub.50 values measured for the BBN derivatives
synthesized in accordance with this invention showed that appending
a peptide side chain and other moieties via the N-terminal BBN-8
residue (i.e., Trp.sup.8) produced widely varying IC.sub.50 values.
For example, see IC.sub.50 values shown for BBN 11, 15i, 16i, and
18 in FIGS. 5 and 8. The observations are consistent with previous
reports showing highly variable IC.sub.50 values when derivatizing
BBN(8-13) or BBN(8-14) with a predominantly short chain of amino
acid residues [Hoffken, 1994]. In contrast, when a hydrocarbon
spacer of 3- to 11-carbons was appended between BBN(7-14) and the
[16]aneS.sub.4 macrocycle, the IC.sub.50's were found to be
surprisingly relatively constant and in the 1-5 nM range (i.e., see
IC.sub.50 values for BBN-22, -37, -46 and 47 as shown in FIG. 7).
These data suggest that using relatively simple spacer groups to
extend ligands some distance from the BBN binding region [e.g.,
BBN(8-14)] can produce derivatives that maintain binding affinities
in the 1-5 nmolar range.
[0079] D. Cell Binding Studies
[0080] Results illustrated in FIG. 9 show that when the
RhCl.sub.2-[16]aneS.sub.4 complex separated from Trp.sup.8 by only
a glutamine (Glu.sup.7), the IC.sub.50 of this conjugate (i.e.,
Rh-BBN-22) was 37.5 nM. However, when a five (5) carbon spacer or
an eight (8) carbon spacer was present (i.e., Rh-BBN-37 and
Rh-BBN-47), the IC.sub.50's remained below 5 nM as shown in FIG. 9.
These data demonstrate that a straight chain spacer (along with
glu.sup.7) to move the +1 charged Rh--S.sub.4-chelate away from the
BBN binding region will result in a metallated BBN analogue with
sufficiently high binding affinities to GRP receptors for in vivo
tumor targeting applications.
[0081] E. .sup.105Radiolabeled BBN Analogues
[0082] The .sup.105Rh conjugates of BBN-22, BBN-37, BBN-46 and
BBN47 were synthesized using a .sup.105Rh-chloride reagent from the
Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR). This reagent was
obtained as .sup.105Rh-chloride, a no-carrier-added (NCA) product,
in 0.1-1M HCl. The pH of this reagent was adjusted to 4-5 using
0.1-1.0 M NaOH dropwise and it was added to approximately 0.1 mg of
the [16]aneS.sub.4-conjugated BBN derivatives in 0.9% aqueous NaCl
and 10% ethanol. After the sample was heated at 80.degree. C. for
one hour, the .sup.105Rh-BBN analogues were purified using HPLC. In
each case, a NCA or high specific activity product was obtained
since the non-metallated S.sub.4-BBN conjugates eluted at a
retention time well after the .sup.105Rh-BBN conjugates eluted. For
example, the retention time of .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 was 7.1 min while
BBN-37 eluted at 10.5 min from a C-18-reversed phase column eluted
with CH.sub.3CN/H.sub.2O containing 0.1% TFA as shown in FIG.
10A-B.
EXAMPLE II
Retention of .sup.105Rh-BBN Analogues in Cancer Cells
[0083] Once the radiometal has been specifically "delivered" to
cancer cells (e.g., employing the BBN binding moiety that
specifically targets GRP receptors on the cell surface), it is
necessary that a large percentage of the "delivered" radioactive
atoms remain associated with the cells for a period time of hours
or longer to make an effective radiopharmaceutical for effectively
treating cancer. One way to achieve this association is to
internalize the radiolabeled BBN conjugates within the cancer cell
after binding to cell surface GRP receptors.
[0084] In the past, all of the work with synthetic-BBN analogues
for treatment of cancers focused on synthesizing and evaluating
antagonists [Davis et al., 1992; Hoffken, 1994; Moody et al., 1996;
Coy et al., 1988; Cai et al., 1994; Moody et al., 1995; Leban et
al., 1994; Cai et al., 1992]. After evaluating synthetic BBN
analogues that would be predicted to be either agonists or
antagonists, applicants found that derivatives of BBN(8-14) (i.e.,
those with the methioaine or amidated methionine at BBN-14) are
rapidly internalized (i.e., in less than two minutes) after binding
to the cell surface GRP receptors. Several radiolabeled BBN(8- 14)
analogues that were studied to determine their internalization and
intracellular trapping efficiencies were radioiodinated (i.e.,
.sup.125I) derivatives. The results of these studies demonstrated
that despite rapid interalization after .sup.125I-labeled BBN
analogue binding to GRP receptors in Swiss 3T3n cells, the
.sup.125I was rapidly expelled from the cells [Hoffman et al.,
1997] as shown in FIG. 11. Thus, these .sup.125I-BBN derivatives
were not suitable for further development.
[0085] In contrast, the .sup.105Rh-BBN(8-14) derivatives that bind
to GRP receptors are not only rapidly internalized, but there is a
large percentage of the .sup.105Rh activity that remains trapped
within the cells for hours (and in some cell lines>twenty four
hours). This observation indicates that these radiometallated BBN
derivatives have real utility as radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo
targeting of neoplasms expressing GRP receptors.
[0086] Experiments designed to determine the fraction of a
radiotracer internalized within cells were performed by adding
excess .sup.125I- or .sup.105Rh-BBN derivatives to the cell
incubation medium. After establishment of equilibrium after a forty
minute incubation, the media surrounding the cells was removed and
the cells were washed with fresh media containing no radioactivity.
After washing, the quantity of radioactivity associated with the
cells was determined (i.e., total counts per min (TCPM) of
.sup.125I or .sup.105Rh associated with the cells). The cells were
then incubated in a 0.2M acetic acid solution (pH 2.5) which caused
the surface proteins (incl., GRP receptors) to denature and release
all surface bound radioactive materials. After removing this buffer
and washing, the cells were counted again. The counts per minute
(c.p.m.) associated with the cells at that point were only related
to the .sup.125I or .sup.105Rh that remained trapped inside of the
cells.
[0087] To determine intracellular retention, a similar method was
employed. However, after washing the cells with fresh
(non-radioactive) incubation media, the cells were incubated in the
fresh media at different time periods after washing away all
extracellular .sup.125I- or .sup.105Rh-BBN analogues. After each
time period, the methods used to determine TOTAL c.p.m. and
intracellular c.p.m. after washing with a 0.2M acetic acid solution
at pH 2.5 were the same as described above and the percent
.sup.125I or .sup.105Rh remaining trapped inside of the cells was
calculated. FIG. 12 is a graph of results of efflux experiments
using. Swiss 3T3 cells with .sup.125I-Lys.sup.3-BBN. The results
show that there is rapid efflux of the .sup.125I from inside of
these cells with less than 50% retained at fifteen minutes and by
sixty minutes, less than 20% remained as shown in FIG. 12.
[0088] In contrast, studies with all of the
.sup.105Rh-[16]aneS.sub.4-BBN agonist derivatives that are
internalized inside of the cells showed substantial intracellular
retention of .sup.105Rh by the GRP receptor expressing cells. For
example, results of studies using .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 (see FIG. 9) in
conjunction with Swiss 3T3 cells showed that approximately 50% of
the .sup.105Rh activity remains associated with the cells at sixty
minutes post-washing and approximately 30% of .sup.105Rh remained
inside of the cells after four hours as shown in FIG. 13. Note that
at least 5% of the .sup.105Rh is surface bound at .gtoreq.sixty
minutes.
[0089] The .sup.105Rh-BBN derivatives shown in FIG. 9 all have an
amidated methionine at position BBN-14 and are expected to be
agonists [Jensen et al., 1993]. Therefore, they would be predicted
to rapidly internalize after binding to GRP receptors on the cell
surface [Reile et al., 1994; Bjisterbosch et al., 1995; Smythe et
al., 1991], which was confirmed by applicants' data. Referring to
FIG. 14, .sup.105Rh-BBN-61, a BBN analogue with no amino acid at
position BBN-14 (i.e., a .sup.105Rh-BBN(8-13) derivative), was
synthesized and studied. This BBN analogue has a high bonding
affinity (i.e., IC.sub.50=30 nM). This type of derivative is
expected to be an antagonist and as such will not internalize
[Jensen et al., 1993; Smythe et al., 1991]. Results of efflux
studies with .sup.105Rh-BBN-61 using Swiss 3T3 cells showed that
immediately following washing with fresh incubation buffer (i.e.,
t=0), essentially all of the .sup.105Rh associated with these cells
is on the cell surface, as expected. Furthermore, after only one
hour of incubation, less than 10% remained associated with these
cells in any fashion (see FIGS. 15 and 16). These data indicate
that .sup.105Rh-antagonists with structures similar to the
.sup.105Rh-BBN agonists (i.e., those shown in FIG. 9) are not good
candidates for development of radiopharmaceuticals since they are
neither trapped in nor on the GRP receptor expressing cells to
nearly the same extent as the radiometallated BBN agonists.
EXAMPLE III
Human Cancer Cell Line Studies
[0090] In vitro cell binding studies of .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 with two
different human cancer cell lines that express GRP receptors (i.e.,
the PC-3 and CF-PAC1 cell lines), which are tumor cells derived
from patients with prostate CA and pancreatic CA, as shown in FIGS.
17A-B and 18A-B, respectively) were performed. Results of these
studies demonstrated consistency with .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 binding and
retention studies using Swiss 3T3 cells. Specifically, the binding
affinity of Rh-BBN-37 was high (i.e., IC.sub.50.apprxeq.7 nM) with
both human cancer cell lines as shown in Table 1. In addition, in
all cells, the majority of the .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 was internalized
and perhaps a major unexpected result was that the retention of the
.sup.105Rh-tracer inside of the cells was significantly better than
retention in Swiss 3T3 cells as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. For
example, it is particularly remarkable that the percentage of
.sup.105R-BBN-37 that remained associated with both the CFPAC-1 and
PC-3 cell line was >80% at two hours after removing the
extracellular activity by washing with fresh incubation buffer (see
FIGS. 17 and 18).
EXAMPLE IV
In Vivo Studies
[0091] Biodistribution studies were performed by intravenous (I.V.)
injection of either .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 or .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 into
normal mice. In these studies, unanesthetized CF-1 mice (15-22 g,
body wt.) were injected I.V. via the tail vein with between one (1)
to five (5) .mu.Ci (37-185 KBq) of the .sup.105Rh-labeled agent.
Organs, body fluids and tissues were excised from animals
sacrificed at 30, 60 and 120 minutes post-injection (PI). The
tissues were weighed, washed in saline (when appropriate) and
counted in a NaI well counter. These data were then used to
determine the percent injected dose (% ID) in an organ or fluid and
the % ID per gram. The whole blood volume of each animal was
estimated to be 6.5 percent of the body weight. Results of these
studies are summarized in Tables 2 and 3.
[0092] Results from these studies showed that both the
.sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 were cleared from the
bloodstream, predominantly via the kidney into the urine.
Specifically, 68.4.+-.6.6% and 62.3.+-.5.8% of the ID was found in
urine at two hours PI of .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and .sup.105Rh-BBN-37,
respectively (see Tables 2 and 3). An unexpected finding was that
the % ID of .sup.105Rh that remained deposited in the kidneys of
these animals was only 2.4.+-.0.6% ID and 4.6.+-.1.3% ID at two
hours PI of .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 (see Tables 2
and 3). This is much less than would be expected from previously
reported data where radiometallated peptides and small proteins
have exhibited renal retention of the radiometal that is >10% ID
and usually much >10% [Duncan et al., 1997]. The reason for
reduced renal retention of .sup.105Rh-BBN analogues is not known,
however, this result demonstrates a substantial improvement over
existing radiometallated peptides.
[0093] Biodistribution studies also demonstrated another important
in vivo property of these radiometallated BBN analogues. Both
.sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 are efficiently cleared
from organs and tissues that do not express GRP receptors (or those
that do not have their GRP-receptors accessible to circulating
blood). The biodistribution studies in mice demonstrated specific
uptake of .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 in the pancreas
while other non-excretory organs or tissues (i.e., heart, brain,
lung, muscle, spleen) exhibited no uptake or retention (Tables 2
and 3). Both .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 were removed
from the blood stream by both the liver and kidneys with a large
fraction of the .sup.105Rh removed by these routes being excreted
into the intestines and the bladder, respectively. It is important
to note that the % ID/gm in the pancreas of .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 and
.sup.105Rh-BBN-37 was 3.9.+-.1.3% and 9.9.+-.5.4%, respectively at
2 hr, PI. Thus, the ratios of % ID/gm of .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 in the
pancreas relative to muscle and blood were 16.2 and 7.6,
respectively. The ratios of % ID/gm of .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 in the
pancreas relative to muscle and blood were 25.4 and 29.1,
respectively. These data demonstrated selective in vivo targeting
of these radiometallated BBN analogues to cells expressing GRP
receptors [Zhu et al., 1991; Qin et al., 1994] and efficient
clearance from non-target tissues. If cancer cells that express GRP
receptors are present in the body, these results indicate
radiometallated BBN analogues will be able to target them with a
selectivity similar to the pancreatic cells.
[0094] A comparison of the pancreatic uptake and retention of
.sup.105Rh-BBN-22 with .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 demonstrated that
.sup.105Rh-BBN-37 deposits in the pancreas with a 2-fold better
efficiency than .sup.105Rh-BBN-22 (i.e., 3.6.+-.1.2% ID and
2.3.+-.1.0% ID) for .sup.105Rh-BBN-37 at one and two hours PI,
respectively, vs. 1.2.+-.0.5% ID and 1.0.+-.0.1% ID for
.sup.105Rh-BBN-22 at one and two hours PI). This data is consistent
with the >2-fold higher uptake and retention of
.sup.105Rh-BBN-37 found in the in vitro studies shown in FIG.
16.
EXAMPLE V
Synthesis and In Vitro Binding Measurement of Synthetic BBN
Conjugate Analogues Employing Amino Acid Chain Spacers
[0095] A. Synthesis
[0096] Five BBN analogues were synthesized by SPPS in which between
2 to 6 amino acid spacer groups were inserted to separate a
S.sub.4-macrocyclic chelator from the N-terminal trp.sup.8 on
BBN(8-14) (FIG. 19). Each peptide was prepared by SPPS using an
Applied Biosystems Model 432A peptide synthesizer. After cleavage
of each BBN analogue from the resin using Trifluoracetic acid
(TFA), the peptides were purified by C.sub.18 reversed-phase IPLC
using a Vydac HS54 column and CH.sub.3CN/H.sub.2O containing 0.1%
TFA as the mobile phase. After collection of the fraction
containing the desired BBN peptide, the solvent was evaporated. The
identity of each BBN peptide was confirmed by FAB-mass spectrometry
(Department of Chemistry--Washington University, St. Louis,
Mo.).
[0097] Various amino acid sequences (in some cases containing
different R group moieties) were conjugated to the N-terminal end
of the BBN binding region (i.e., to BBN-8 or Trp.sup.8). BBN
analogue numbers 96, 97, 98, 99 and 101 were synthesized as
examples of LN-terminal modified peptides in which the
[16]aneS.sub.4 macrocycle BFCA was separated from trp.sup.8 on
BBN(8-14) by various amino acid sequences as shown in FIG. 19.
[0098] The [16]aneS.sub.4 macrocyclic ligand was conjugated to
selected tethered BBN analogues. The --OCH.sub.2COOH group on the
[16]andS.sub.4 macrocycle derivative was activated via HOBt/HBTU so
that it efficiently formed an amide bond with the terminal NH2
group on the spacer side arm (following deprotection). The
corresponding [16]aneS.sub.4 tethered BBN derivatives were produced
and examples of 5 of these derivatives (i.e., BBN-96, 97, 98, 99
and 101) are shown in FIG. 19. As previously described, each
[16]aneS.sub.4 BBN derivative was purified by reversed phase HPLC
and characterized by FAB Mass Spectroscopy.
[0099] B. In Vitro Binding Affinities
[0100] The binding affinities of the synthetic BBN derivatives were
assessed for GRP receptors on Swiss 3T3 cells, PC-3 cells and CF
PAC-1 cells. The IC.sub.50's of each of derivative was determined
relative to (i.e., in competition with) .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN.
The cell binding assay methods used to measure the IC.sub.50's is
standard and was used by techniques previously reported [Jensen et
al., 1993; Cai et al., 1992; Cal et al., 1994]. The methods used
for determining IC.sub.50's with all BBN analogue binding to GRP
repectors present on all three cell lines was similar. The specific
method used to measure IC.sub.50's on Swiss 3T3 cells is briefly
described as follows:
[0101] Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts are grown to confluence in 48
well microliter plates. An incubation media was prepared consisting
of HEPES (11.916 g/l), NaCl (7.598 g/l), KCl (0.574 g/l),
MgCl.sub.2 (1.106 g/l), EGTA (0.380 g/l), BSA (5.0 g/l),
chymostatin (0.002 g/l), soybean trypsin inhibitor (0.200 g/l), and
bacitracin (0.050 g/l). The growth media was removed, the cells
were washed twice with incubation media, and incubation media was
returned to the cells. .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN (0.01 .mu.Ci) was
added to each well in the presence of increasing concentrations of
the appropriate competitive peptide. Typical concentrations of
displacing peptide ranged from 10.sup.-12 to 10.sup.-5 moles of
displacing ligand per well. The cells were incubated at 37.degree.
C. for forty minutes in a 95% O.sub.2/5% CO.sub.2 humidified
environment. At forty minutes post initiation of the incubation,
the medium was discarded, and the cells were washed twice with cold
incubation media. The cells were harvested from the wells following
incubation in a trypsin/EDTA solution for five minutes at
37.degree. C. Subsequently, the radioactivity, per well, was
determined and the maximum % total uptake of the radiolabeled
peptide was determined and normalized to 100%. A similar procedure
was used in performing cell binding assays with both the PC-3 and
CF.sub.a-PAC-1 human cancer cell lines.
[0102] C. Results of Binding Affinity Measurements
[0103] The IC.sub.50 values measured for the BBN derivatives
synthesized in accordance with this invention showed that appending
a chelator via amino acid chain spacer groups via the N-terminal
BBN-8 residue (i.e., Trp.sup.8) produced a variation of IC.sub.50
values. For example, see IC.sub.50 values shown for BBN 96, 97, 98
and 101 in FIG. 19. The observations are consistent with previous
reports showing variable IC.sub.50 values when derivatizing
BBH(8-13) with a predominantly short chain of amino acid residues
[Hoffken, 1994]. When the amino acid spacer groups used in BBN-98,
99 and 101 were appended between BBN(7-14) and the [16]aneS.sub.4
macrocyle, the IC.sub.50's were found to be surprisingly constant
and in the 1-6 nM range for all three cell lines (i.e., see
IC.sub.50 values shown in FIG. 19). These data suggest that using
relatively simple spacer groups composed entirely of selected amino
acid sequences to extend ligands some distance from the BBN region
[e.g., BBN(8-14) can produce derivatives that maintain binding
affinities in the 1-6 nmolar range.
[0104] D. Cell Binding Studies with Rh-BBN-Conjugates
[0105] Results illustrated in FIG. 20 show that when the
corresponding RhCl.sub.2 [16]aneS.sub.4 complex was separated from
Trp.sup.8 on BBH(8-14) by the four different amino acid spacer
groups (see FIG. 20), the IC.sub.50's of all four analogues (i.e.,
BBN-97, -98, -99, -101) were between 0.73 and 5.29 nmolar with GRP
receptors on the PC-3 and CF PAC-1 cell lines. The IC.sub.50's for
these same Rh-BBN conjugates were somewhat higher with the Swiss
3T3 cell line (FIG. 20). These data demonstrate that amino acid
chain with spacer groups used to move the +1 charged
Rh-S.sub.4-chelate away from the BBN binding region will result in
a metallated BBN analogue with sufficiently high binding affinities
to GRP receptors for in vivo tumor targeting applications.
EXAMPLE VI
Synthesis and In Vitro Binding Assessment of a .sup.99m-Tc-Labeled
Synthetic BBN Analogue
[0106] A. Synthesis
[0107] Several tetradentate chelating frameworks have been used to
form stable .sup.99mTc or .sup.188Re labeled peptide and protein
conjugates [Eckelman, 1995; Li et al., 1996b; Parker, 1990;
Lister-James et al., 1997]. Many of these ligand systems contain at
least one thiol (--SH) donor group to maximize rates of formation
and stability (both in vitro and in vivo) of the resultant Tc(V) or
Re(V) complexes [Parker, 1990; Eckelman, 1995]. Results from a
recent report indicates that the bifunctional chelating agent
(BFCA) (dimethylglycyl-L-seryl-L-cyteinyl-glycinamide
(N.sub.3S-BFCA) is capable of forming a well-defined complex with
ReO.sup.+3 and TcO.sup.+3 [Wong et al., 1997]. Since this ligand
framework can be synthesized by SPPS techniques, this N.sub.3S-BFCA
was selected for use in forming of Tc-99m-BBN-analogue conjugates.
Three different N.sub.3S-BFCA conjugates of BBN(7-14) were
synthesized (BBN-120, -121 and -122) as shown in FIG. 21 by SPPS.
BBN-120, BBN-121 and BBN-122 represent a series of analogues where
the N.sub.3S-BFCA is separated from the BBN(7-14) sequence by a 3,
5 and 8 carbon spacer groups (FIG. 21). Each peptide was
synthesized and purified using the SPPS and chromatographic
procedures outlined in Example 1. The thiol group on cystein was
protected using the ACM group, which is not cleaved during cleavage
of these BBN-conjugates from the resin using TFA. The identity of
BBN-120, -121 and -122 was confirmed by FAB mass spectrometry.
Synthesis and purification of the N.sub.3S-BFCA could also be
readily accomplished using SPPS methods, followed by HPLC
purification (see Example 1). The ACM group was used to protect the
thiol group on cysteine during synthesis and cleavage from the
resin.
[0108] B. In Vitro Binding Affinities
[0109] Synthesis of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 (FIG. 22) was prepared by
two methods [i.e., (1) by transchelation of .sup.99mTcO.sup.+3 from
.sup.99mTc-gluconate or (2) by formation of the "preformed"
.sup.99mTc-BFCA complex followed by --COOH activation with
tetrafluorophenyl and subsequent reaction with the C.sub.5-carbon
spacer group appended to BBN(7-14)]. In both cases, the
.sup.99mTc-labeled peptide formed is shown in FIG. 22. The
structure of this Tc-BBN-122 conjugate was determined by using
non-radioactive Re (the chemical congener of Tc). In these studies,
the "preformed" ReO.sup.+3 complex with the N.sub.3S-BFCA was
prepared by reduction of ReO.sub.4; with SnCl.sub.2 in the presence
of excess N.sub.3S-BFCA dissolved in sodium phosphate buffered
water at pH 6-6.5 by a method previously published [Wong et al.,
1997]. After purification of the ReO--N.sub.3S-BFCA complex, the
structure of this chelate was shown (by Mass-Spect) to be identical
to that previously reported [Wong et al., 1997].
[0110] The ReO--N.sub.3--S-BFCA complex was converted to the
activated trifluorophenyl (TFP) ester by adding 10 mg of the
complex to 6 mg (dry) EDC and the 50 .mu.l of TFP. After the
solution was vortexed for one minute, CH.sub.3CN was added until
disappearance of cloudiness. The solution was incubated for one
hour at RT and purified by reversed-phase HPLC. To prepare the
ReO--N.sub.3S-BFCA complex BBN-122 conjugate (FIG. 22), one .mu.l
of the HPLC fraction containing the ReO--N.sub.3S-BFCA complex was
added to a solution containing 1 mg of the C.sub.8-tethered
BBN(7-14) peptide in 0.2 N NaHCO.sub.3 at pH 9.0. After incubation
of this solution for one hour at RT, the sample was analyzed and
purified by reversed-phase HPLC. The yield of Re-BBN-122 was
approximately 30-35%.
[0111] The method for preparation of the corresponding
.sup.99mTc-BBN-122 conjugate, using the "preformed"
.sup.99mTcO--N.sub.3S-BFCA complex, was the same as described above
with the "preformed" ReO--N.sub.3S-BFCA complex. In this case,
.sup.99mTcO.sub.4, from a .sup.99Mo/.sup.99mTc generator, was
reduced with an aqueous saturated stannous tartrate solution in the
presence of excess N.sub.3S-BFCA. The yields of the
.sup.99mTc-BBN-122 product using this "preformed" method were
approximately 30-40%. Reversed phase HPLC analysis of the
99mTc-BBN-122, using the same gradient elution program.sup.1 as
used for analysis of the Re-BBN-122 conjugate, showed that both the
.sup.99mTc-BBN-122 and .sup.188Re-BBN-122 had the same retention
time (i.e., 14.2-14.4 min) (See FIG. 22). This provides strong
evidence that the structure of both the .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 and
Re-BBN-122 are identical. .sup.1 Gradient elution program used in
these studies was as follows. Flow 1.5 ml/minute Solvent A=HO with
0.1% TFA Solvent B=CHCN with 0.1% TFA
[0112] The binding affinities of BBN-122 and Re-BBN-122 were
assessed for GRP receptors on Swiss 3T3 cells, PC-3 cells and
CFPAC-1 cells that express GRP receptors. The IC.sub.50's of each
derivative was determined relative to (i.e., in competition with)
.sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN (the K.sub.d for .sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN
for GRP receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells is reported to be 1.6.+-.0.4
nM) [Zhu et al., 1991]. The cell binding assay methods used to
measure the IC.sub.50's is standard and was used by techniques
previously reported [Leban et al., 1994; Cai et al., 1994; Cai et
al., 1992]. The methods used for determining IC.sub.50's with all
GRP receptor binding of GRP receptors on all cell lines was similar
and has been described previously for the other BBN-analogues and
Rh-BBN analogues described in this document.
[0113] C. Results of Binding Affinity Measurements
[0114] The IC.sub.50 values measured for BBN-122 and Re-BBN-122
synthesized in accordance with this invention showed that appending
an TABLE-US-00001 Time (minutes) % A/% B 0 95/5 25 30/70 35
95/5
[0115] 8-carbon hydrocarbon chain spacer linked to the
N.sub.2S.sub.1-BFCA and the corresponding Re complex (i.e.,
Trp.sup.8) produced BBN conjugates with IC.sub.50 values in a 1-5
nmolar range (See Table A). When .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 was incubated
with these same cells, it was shown that .gtoreq.nmolar
concentrations of BBN displaced this .sup.99mTc conjugate by
>90%. This result demonstrates that .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 has high
and specific binding affinity for GRP receptors. These data suggest
that using relatively simple spacer groups to extend the N.sub.3S
ligand framework and the corresponding Tc-or Re-N.sub.3S.sub.1,
complexes some distance from the BBN binding region can produce
derivatives that maintain binding affinities in the 1-5 nmolar
range. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE A Summary of IC.sub.50 values for GRP
receptor binding for the non-metallated BBN-122 conjugate or the
Re-BBN-122 conjugate in two cell lines (PC-3 and CF-PAC-1 cell
lines that express GRP receptors). The IC.sub.50 values were
measured using cell binding assays relative to
.sup.125I-Tyr.sup.4-BBN. IC.sub.50 (nmolar) Conjugate PC-3 CF-PAC1
BBN-122 3.59 .+-. 0.75 (n = 6) 5.58 .+-. 1.92 (n = 14) Re-BBN-122
1.23 .+-. 0.56 (n = 12) 1.47 .+-. 0.11 (n = 6)
EXAMPLE VII
Retention of 99mTc-BBN-122 in Human Cancer Cells PC-3 and CF-PAC-1
Cells)
[0116] Once the radiometal has been specifically "delivered" to
cancer cells (e.g., employing the BBN binding moiety that
specifically targets GRP receptors on the cell surface), it is
necessary that a large percentage of the "delivered" radioactive
atoms remain associated with the cells for a period time of hours
or longer to make an effective radiopharmaceutical for effectively
treating cancer. One way to achieve this association is to
internalize the radiolabeled BBN conjugates within the cancer cell
after binding to cell surface GRP receptors.,
[0117] Experiments designed to determine the fraction
.sup.99mTc-BBN-122 internalized within cells were performed by the
same method previously described for .sup.105Rh-BBN-37. Briefly,
excess .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 was added to PC-3 or CFPAC-1 cell
incubation media and allowed to establish equilibrium after a forty
minute incubation. The media surrounding the cells was removed and
the cells were washed with fresh media containing no radioactivity.
After washing, the quantity of radioactivity associated with the
cells was determined (i.e., total counts per min .sup.99mTc
associated with cells). The PC-3 and CFPAC-1 cells were then
incubated in a 0.2M acetic acid solution (pH2.5) which caused the
surface proteins (including GRP receptors) to denature and release
all surface bound radioactive materials. After removing this buffer
and washing, the cells were counted again. The counts per minute
(c.p.m.) associated with the cells at that point were only related
to the .sup.99mTc that remained trapped inside of the PC-3 or
CFPAC-1 cells.
[0118] To determine intracellular retention of .sup.99mTc activity,
a similar method was employed. However, after washing the cells
with fresh (non-radioactive) incubation media, the cells were
incubated in the fresh media at different time period after washing
away all extracellular .sup.99mTc-BBN-122. After each time
interval, the methods used to determine total c.p.m. and
intracellular c.p.m. by washing with a 0.2M acetic acid solution at
pH 2.5.
[0119] Studies with the .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 agonist show that it is
internalized inside of the PC-3 and CFPAC-1 cells (FIGS. 23-26) and
that substantial intracellular retention of .sup.99mTc by the GRP
receptor expressing cells occurs. For example, results of studies
using .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 in conjunction with PC-3 cells showed a
high rate of internalization (FIG. 23) and that approximately 75%
of the .sup.99mTc activity remains associated with the cells at
ninety minutes post-washing (FIG. 25). Almost all of this
.sup.99mTc cell-associated activity is inside of the PC-3 cells.
Similar results were also found with the CFPAC 1 cells where there
is also a high rate of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 internalization (FIG. 24)
and relatively slow efflux of .sup.99mTc from the cells (i.e.,
50-60% retention at 120 min post-washing (FIG. 26).
[0120] The .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 peptide conjugate shown in FIG. 22
has an amidated methionine at position BBN-14 and is expected to be
an agonists [ensen et al., 1993]. Therefore, it would be predicted
to rapidly internalize after binding to GRP receptors on the cell
surface (Bjisterbosch et al., 1995; Smythe et al., 1991], which is
confirmed by applicants' data in FIG. 23-26.
EXAMPLE VIII
In Vivo Studies
[0121] Biodistribution studies were performed by intravenous (I.V.)
injection of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 into normal mice. In these studies,
unanesthetized CF-1 mice (15-22 g, body wt.) were injected I.V. via
the tail vein with between one (1) to five (5) .mu.Ci (37-185 KBq)
of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122. Organs, body fluids and tissues were excised
from animals sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 4 and 24 hours post-injection
(PI). The tissues were weighed, washed in saline (when appropriate)
and counted in a NaI well counter. These data were then used to
determine the percent injected dose (% ID) in an organ or fluid and
the % ID) per gram. The whole blood volume of each animal was
estimated to be 6.5 percent of the body weight. Results of these
studies are summarized in Tables B and C.
[0122] Results from these studies showed that .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 is
cleared from the blood stream predominantly via the hepatobiliary
pathway shaving about 35% of the .sup.99mTc-activity cleared via
the kidney into the urine. Specifically, 33.79.+-.1.76% of the ID
was found in urine at one hour PI (Table B). The retention of
.sup.99mTc activity in the kidneys and liver is very low (Table B).
This is much less than would be expected from previously reported
data where radiometallated peptides and small proteins have
exhibited renal retention of the radiometal that is >10% ID and
usually much >10% [Duncan et al., 1997]. The reason for reduced
renal retention of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 is not known, however, this
result demonstrates a substantial improvement over existing
radiometallated peptides.
[0123] Biodistribution studies also demonstrated another important
in vivo property of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 in that it is efficiently
cleared from organs and tissues that do not express GRP receptors
(or those that do not have their GRP-receptors accessible to
circulating blood). The biodistribution studies in mice
demonstrated specific uptake of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 in the pancreas
while other non-excretory organs or tissues (i.e., heart, brain,
lung, muscle, spleen) exhibited no uptake or retention.
.sup.99mTc-BBN-122 is removed from the blood stream by both the
liver and kidneys with a large fraction of the .sup.99mTc removed
by these routes being excreted into the intestines and the bladder,
respectively. It is important to note that the % ID/gm in the
pancreas of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 is 12.63%/gm at 1 hour and drops to
only 5.05% at the 4 hour PI (Table C). Thus, the ratios of % ID/gm
of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 in the pancreas relative to muscle and blood
were 92.2 and 14.78 at 4 hour PI, respectively. These data
demonstrated selective in vivo targeting of this .sup.99mTc-labeled
BBN analogue to cells expressing GRP receptors [Zhu et al., 1991;
Qin et al., 1994] and efficient clearance from non-target tissues.
If cancer cells that express GRP receptors are present in the body,
these results indicate 99mTc-BBN analogues will be able to target
them with a selectivity similar to the pancreatic cells.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE B Biodistribution of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122 in
normal CF-1 mice at 0.5, 1, 4 and 24 hr post-IV injection. Results
expressed as % ID/organ % Injected Dose/Organ.sup.a Organ.sup.c 30
min 1 hr 4 hr 24 hr Blood.sup.d 3.52 .+-. 2.16 1.08 .+-. 0.34 0.59
.+-. 0.24 0.12 .+-. 0.01 Liver 4.53 .+-. 0.93 4.77 .+-. 1.40 1.49
.+-. 0.32 0.32 .+-. 0.06 Stomach 2.31 .+-. 0.45 1.61 .+-. 0.81 1.75
.+-. 0.20 0.30 .+-. 0.06 Lg. Intestine.sup.b 2.84 .+-. 0.32 24.17
.+-. 7.91 23.85 .+-. 7.02 0.61 .+-. 0.14 Sm. Intestine.sup.b 43.87
.+-. 1.51 23.91 .+-. 9.08 5.87 .+-. 7.09 0.42 .+-. 0.06
Kidneys.sup.b 1.49 .+-. 0.19 1.15 .+-. 0.10 0.55 .+-. 0.06 0.20
.+-. 0.01 Urine.sup.b 26.78 .+-. 1.05 33.79 .+-. 1.76 .about.35
.about.35 Muscle 0.02 .+-. 0.01 0.01 .+-. 0.00 0.01 .+-. 0.01 0.01
.+-. 0.01 Pancreas 5.30 .+-. 0.63 3.20 .+-. 0.83 1.21 .+-. 0.13
0.42 .+-. 0.17 .sup.aEach value in the table represents the mean
and SD from 5 animals in each group. .sup.bAt 4 and 24 hr, feces
containing .sup.99mTc had been excreted from each animal and the %
ID in the urine was estimated to be approximately 60% of the ID.
.sup.cAll other organs excised (incl. brain, heart, lung and
spleen) showed <0.10% at t .gtoreq.1 hr. .sup.d% ID in the blood
estimated assuming the whole blood volume is 6:5% of the body
weight.
[0124] TABLE-US-00004 TABLE C Biodistribution of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122
in normal CF-1 mice at 0.5, 1, 4 and 24 hr post I.V. injection.
Results expressed as % ID/gm. % Injected Dose/gm.sup.a Organ 30 min
1 hr 4 hr 24 hr Blood.sup.b 2.00 .+-. 1.28 0.63 .+-. 0.19 0.34 .+-.
0.11 0.08 .+-. 0.00 Liver 2.70 .+-. 0.41 3.14 .+-. 0.81 0.96 .+-.
0.20 0.22 .+-. 0.05 Kidneys 3.99 .+-. 0.76 3.10 .+-. 0.31 1.58 .+-.
0.15 0.64 .+-. 0.08 Muscle 0.23 .+-. 0.08 0.13 .+-. 0.02 0.05 .+-.
0.01 0.01 .+-. 0.01 Pancreas 16.89 .+-. 0.95 12.63 .+-. 1.87 5.05
.+-. 0.42 1.79 .+-. 0.71 P/Bl and P/M Uptake Ratios Pancreas/ 8.42
19.76 14.78 20.99 Blood ancreas/ 73.16 93.42 92.25 142.76 Muscle
.sup.aEach value in the table represents the mean and SD from 5
animals in each group. .sup.b% ID in the blood estimated assuming
the whole blood volume is 6:5% of the body weight.
[0125] TABLE-US-00005 TABLE D Biodistribution of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122
in PC-3 tumor bearing SCID mice at 1, 4 and 24 hr post-I.V.
injection. Results expressed as % ID/organ. Tumor Line: PC-3 % ID
per Organ.sup.a Organ.sup.c 1 hr 4 hr 24 hr Blood.sup.b 1.16 .+-.
0.27 0.47 .+-. 0.06 0.26 .+-. 0.05 Liver 1.74 .+-. 0.64 0.72 .+-.
0.10 0.29 .+-. 0.05 Stomach 0.43 .+-. 0.18 0.29 .+-. 0.22 0.08 .+-.
0.02 Lg. Intestine 9.18 .+-. 19.42 42.55 .+-. 8.74 0.64 .+-. 0.17
Sm. Intestine 46.55 .+-. 16.16 2.13 .+-. 0.76 0.31 .+-. 0.04
Kidneys 1.16 .+-. 0.20 0.60 .+-. 0.06 0.16 .+-. 0.01 Urine.sup.d
32.05 .+-. 12.78 .about.35 .about.35 Muscle 0.01 .+-. 0.00 0.00
.+-. 0.00 0.00 .+-. 0.00 Pancreas 1.69 .+-. 0.61 1.05 .+-. 0.13
0.34 .+-. 0.08 Tumor 1.00 .+-. 0.78 0.49 .+-. 0.08 0.49 .+-. 0.25
.sup.aEach value in the table represents the mean and SD from 5
animals in each group. .sup.bAt 4 and 24 hr, feces containing
.sup.99mTc had been excreted from each animal and the % ID in the
urine was estimated to be approximately 60% of the ID. .sup.cAll
other organs excised (incl. brain, heart, lung and spleen) showed
<0.10% at t .gtoreq.1 hr. .sup.d% ID in the blood estimated
assuming the whole blood volume is 6:5% of the body weight.
[0126] TABLE-US-00006 TABLE E Biodistribution of .sup.99mTc-BBN-122
in PC-3 tumor bearing SCID mice at 1, 4 and 24 hr post-I.V.
injection. Results expressed as % ID/Gm. Tumor Line: PC-3 % ID per
gm.sup.a Organ 1 hr 4 hr 24 hr Blood.sup.b 0.97 .+-. 0.26 0.31 .+-.
0.03 0.18 .+-. 0.04 Liver 2.07 .+-. 0.88 0.64 .+-. 0.05 0.26 .+-.
0.04 Kidneys 4.80 .+-. 1.33 2.23 .+-. 0.35 0.60 .+-. 0.04 Muscle
0.18 .+-. 0.12 0.06 .+-. 0.03 0.05 .+-. 0.04 Pancreas 10.34 .+-.
3.38 5.08 .+-. 1.12 1.47 .+-. 0.23 Tumor 2.07 .+-. 0.50 1.75 .+-.
0.61 1.28 .+-. 0.22 T/Bl, T/M, P/Bl and P/M Uptake Ratios
Tumor/Blood 2.13 5.52 6.79 Tumor/Muscle 11.44 25.38 21.62
Pancreas/Blood 10.64 15.96 7.81 Pancreas/Muscle 57.14 73.40 24.87
.sup.aEach value in the table represents the mean and SD from 5
animals in each group. .sup.b% ID in the blood estimated assuming
the whole blood volume is 6:5% of the body weight.
[0127] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation.
[0128] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is,
therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically describe.
[0129] Throughout this application, various publications are
referenced by citation and number. Full citations for the
publication are listed below the disclosure of these publications
in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this
application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to
which this invention pertains.
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TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 1 Binding Affinity of Rh-BBN-37 for GRP
Receptors Expressed on Neoplasms Type of Cancer Cell Line IC.sub.50
(Mean Value) Pancreatic CA CF PAC1 3.2 .times. 10.sup.-9 Prostate
CA PC-3 7.0 .times. 10.sup.-9
[0131] TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 2 Complex .sup.105Rh-Peptide22
.sup.105Rh-Peptide22 .sup.105Rh-Peptide22 30 min 1 hr 2 hr n = 9 n
= 9 n = 9 (% Dose) Organ (% Dose) Brain 0.08 .+-. 0.02 0.04 .+-.
0.01 0.06 .+-. 0.09 Blood 4.48 .+-. 1.24 1.86 .+-. 0.38 0.99 .+-.
0.24 Heart 0.13 .+-. 0.03 0.08 .+-. 0.03 0.04 .+-. 0.04 Lung 0.25
.+-. 0.08 0.20 .+-. 0.09 0.15 .+-. 0.09 Liver 7.97 .+-. 2.85 8.51
.+-. 2.33 8.57 .+-. 2.04 Spleen 0.07 .+-. 0.03 0.09 .+-. 0.08 0.05
.+-. 0.01 Stomach 1.11 .+-. 0.76 0.59 .+-. 0.21 0.30 .+-. 0.16
Large Intestine 0.73 .+-. 0.16 3.21 .+-. 3.38 8.91 .+-. 3.79 Small
Intestine 6.29 .+-. 1.87 6.98 .+-. 1.87 3.48 .+-. 1.78 Kidneys 4.25
.+-. 1.33 3.25 .+-. 0.60 2.44 .+-. 0.64 Bladder 44.66 .+-. 7.29
62.88 .+-. 3.84 68.41 .+-. 6.63 Muscle 0.06 .+-. 0.03 0.03 .+-.
0.03 0.01 .+-. 0.01 Pancreas 0.95 .+-. 0.46 1.15 .+-. 0.49 1.01
.+-. 0.14 Carcass 32.90 .+-. 6.61 12.62 .+-. 4.77 6.37 .+-. 1.17 (%
Dose/GM) Organ (% D/GM) Brain 0.21 .+-. 0.07 0.14 .+-. 0.08 0.16
.+-. 0.28 Blood 2.22 .+-. 0.40 1.02 .+-. 0.22 0.51 .+-. 0.11 Heart
0.92 .+-. 0.25 0.64 .+-. 0.20 0.38 .+-. 0.33 Lung 1.44 .+-. 0.33
1.24 .+-. 0.54 0.92 .+-. 0.69 Liver 4.33 .+-. 1.52 5.18 .+-. 1.52
5.17 .+-. 1.12 Spleen 0.86 .+-. 0.38 1.10 .+-. 0.65 0.84 .+-. 0.53
Stomach 2.46 .+-. 1.65 1.53 .+-. 0.74 0.71 .+-. 0.33 Large
Intestine 0.78 .+-. 0.19 4.42 .+-. 4.62 10.10 .+-. 4.58 Small
Intestine 4.73 .+-. 1.47 5.84 .+-. 1.81 2.86 .+-. 1.47 Kidneys 7.57
.+-. 1.49 6.70 .+-. 0.75 4.60 .+-. 0.83 Muscle 0.53 .+-. 0.32 0.61
.+-. 0.97 0.24 .+-. 0.24 Pancreas 3.12 .+-. 0.99 4.31 .+-. 1.98
3.88 .+-. 1.25
[0132] TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 3 Complex .sup.105Rh-Pept37
.sup.105Rh-Pept37 .sup.105Rh-Pept37 30 min 1 hr 2 hr n = 5 n = 9 n
= 7 (% Dose) Organ (% Dose) Brain 0.03 .+-. 0.01 0.07 .+-. 0.11
0.03 .+-. 0.03 Blood 3.09 .+-. 0.54 1.46 .+-. 0.62 0.66 .+-. 0.26
Heart 0.12 .+-. 0.03 0.05 .+-. 0.03 0.04 .+-. 0.02 Lung 0.26 .+-.
0.09 0.12 .+-. 0.07 0.08 .+-. 0.11 Liver 13.04 .+-. 1.93 13.00 .+-.
3.59 10.12 .+-. 1.86 Spleen 0.21 .+-. 0.13 0.16 .+-. 0.08 0.10 .+-.
0.04 Stomach 0.80 .+-. 0.34 0.65 .+-. 0.52 0.83 .+-. 0.96 Large
Intestine 2.05 .+-. 0.69 2.96 .+-. 1.67 8.07 .+-. 2.25 Small
Intestine 8.44 .+-. 1.89 11.38 .+-. 3.02 5.04 .+-. 2.27 Kidneys
7.82 .+-. 2.52 6.04 .+-. 1.68 4.57 .+-. 1.29 Bladder 39.65 .+-.
7.21 51.82 .+-. 7.53 62.32 .+-. 5.78 Muscle 0.06 .+-. 0.03 0.02
.+-. 0.01 0.02 .+-. 0.02 Pancreas 2.73 .+-. 1.14 3.63 .+-. 1.22
2.25 .+-. 1.02 Carcass 24.35 .+-. 7.69 9.81 .+-. 2.91 6.37 .+-.
1.73 (% Dose/Gm) Organ (% D/GM) Brain 0.10 .+-. 0.05 0.26 .+-. 0.41
0.10 .+-. 0.09 Blood 1.60 .+-. 0.30 0.72 .+-. 0.31 0.34 .+-. 0.15
Heart 0.92 .+-. 0.26 0.38 .+-. 0.21 0.28 .+-. 0.17 Lung 1.52 .+-.
0.48 0.76 .+-. 0.47 0.46 .+-. 0.50 Liver 7.31 .+-. 1.15 7.65 .+-.
1.29 6.30 .+-. 1.73 Spleen 2.18 .+-. 1.17 1.59 .+-. 0.71 1.05 .+-.
0.44 Stomach 1.53 .+-. 0.67 1.63 .+-. 1.17 2.18 .+-. 2.35 Large
Intestine 2.46 .+-. 0.70 3.80 .+-. 2.42 11.84 .+-. 4.39 Small
Intestine 5.69 .+-. 1.26 7.85 .+-. 1.87 3.81 .+-. 2.01 Kidneys
14.28 .+-. 2.84 11.21 .+-. 3.68 8.39 .+-. 2.36 Muscle 0.73 .+-.
0.39 0.20 .+-. 0.14 0.39 .+-. 0.38 Pancreas 14.02 .+-. 3.23 15.54
.+-. 6.21 9.91 .+-. 5.35
* * * * *