https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/29293165/Cancer%20Nanotechnology.pdf?sequence=1

Cancer Nanotechnology: The impact of passive and active targeting in the era of modern cancer biology

We describe the development and clinical translation of a targeted polymeric nanoparticle (TNP) containing the chemotherapeutic docetaxel (DTXL) for the treatment of patients with solid tumors DTXL-TNP is targeted to prostate-specific membrane antigen, a clinically validated tumor antigen expressed on prostate cancer cells and on the neovasculature of most nonprostate solid tumors DTXL-TNP was developed from a combinatorial library of more than 100 TNP formulations varying with respect to particle size, targeting ligand density, surface hydrophilicity, drug loading, and drug release properties Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies in rats showed that the NPs had a blood circulation half-life of about 20 hours and minimal liver accumulation In tumor-bearing mice, DTXL-TNP exhibited markedly enhanced tumor accumulation at 12 hours and prolonged tumor growth suppression compared to a solvent-based DTXL formulation (sb-DTXL) In tumor-bearing mice, rats, and nonhuman primates, DTXL-TNP displayed pharmacokinetic characteristics consistent with prolonged circulation of NPs in the vascular compartment and controlled release of DTXL, with total DTXL plasma concentrations remaining at least 100-fold higher than sb-DTXL for more than 24 hours Finally, initial clinical data in patients with advanced solid tumors indicated that DTXL-TNP displays a pharmacological profile differentiated from sb-DTXL, including pharmacokinetics characteristics consistent with preclinical data and cases of tumor shrinkage at doses below the sb-DTXL dose typically used in the clinic

Preclinical Development and Clinical Translation of a PSMA-Targeted Docetaxel Nanoparticle with a Differentiated Pharmacological Profile

Design and functionalization strategies for multifunctional nanocarriers (e.g., nanoparticles, micelles, polymersomes) based on biodegradable/biocompatible polymers intended to be employed for active targeting and drug delivery are reviewed. This review will focus on the nature of the polymers involved in the preparation of targeted nanocarriers, the synthesis methods to achieve the desired macromolecular architecture, the selected coupling strategy, the choice of the homing molecules (vitamins, hormones, peptides, proteins, etc.), as well as the various strategies to display them at the surface of nanocarriers. The resulting morphologies and the main colloidal features will be given as well as an overview of the biological activities, with a special focus on the main in vivo achievements.

Design, functionalization strategies and biomedical applications of targeted biodegradable/biocompatible polymer-based nanocarriers for drug delivery

Purpose
Since the introduction of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC (=68Ga-DKFZ-PSMA-11), this method has been regarded as a significant step forward in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer (PCa). However, published data exist for small patient cohorts only. The aim of this evaluation was to analyse the diagnostic value of 68Ga-PSMA-ligand PET/CT in a large cohort and the influence of several possibly interacting variables.

/pdf/the-diagnostic-value-of-pet-ct-imaging-with-the-68ga-2024naajwl.pdf

The diagnostic value of PET/CT imaging with the 68Ga-labelled PSMA ligand HBED-CC in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer

Purpose
Positron emission tomography (PET) with choline tracers has found widespread use for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC). However, choline metabolism is not increased in a considerable number of cases, whereas prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in most PCs. Therefore, a 68Ga-labelled PSMA ligand could be superior to choline tracers by obtaining a high contrast. The aim of this study was to compare such a novel tracer with standard choline-based PET/CT.

/pdf/comparison-of-pet-imaging-with-a-68ga-labelled-psma-ligand-506yd95qii.pdf

Comparison of PET imaging with a 68Ga-labelled PSMA ligand and 18F-choline-based PET/CT for the diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed in normal human prostate epithelium and is highly up-regulated in prostate cancer. We previously reported a series of novel small molecule inhibitors targeting PSMA. Two compounds, MIP-1072, (S)-2-(3-((S)-1-carboxy-5-(4-iodobenzylamino)pentyl)ureido)pentanedioic acid, and MIP-1095, (S)-2-(3-((S)-1carboxy-5-(3-(4-iodophenyl)ureido)pentyl)ureido)pentanedioic acid, were selected for further evaluation. MIP-1072 and MIP-1095 potently inhibited the glutamate carboxypeptidase activity of PSMA (K(i) = 4.6 +/- 1.6 nmol/L and 0.24 +/- 0.14 nmol/L, respectively) and, when radiolabeled with (123)I, exhibited high affinity for PSMA on human prostate cancer LNCaP cells (K(d) = 3.8 +/- 1.3 nmol/L and 0.81 +/- 0.39 nmol/L, respectively). The association of [(123)I]MIP-1072 and [(123)I]MIP-1095 with PSMA was specific; there was no binding to human prostate cancer PC3 cells, which lack PSMA, and binding was abolished by coincubation with a structurally unrelated NAALADase inhibitor, 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (PMPA). [(123)I]MIP-1072 and [(123)I]MIP-1095 internalized into LNCaP cells at 37 degrees C. Tissue distribution studies in mice showed 17.3 +/- 6.3% (at 1 hour) and 34.3 +/- 12.7% (at 4 hours) injected dose per gram of LNCaP xenograft tissue, for [(123)I]MIP-1072 and [(123)I]MIP-1095, respectively. [(123)I]MIP-1095 exhibited greater tumor uptake but slower washout from blood and nontarget tissues compared with [(123)I]MIP-1072. Specific binding to PSMA in vivo was shown by competition with PMPA in LNCaP xenografts, and the absence of uptake in PC3 xenografts. The uptake of [(123)I]MIP-1072 and [(123)I]MIP-1095 in tumor-bearing mice was corroborated by single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. PSMA-specific radiopharmaceuticals should provide a novel molecular targeting option for the detection and staging of prostate cancer.

/pdf/preclinical-evaluation-of-novel-glutamate-urea-lysine-1gxrjxfue5.pdf

Preclinical evaluation of novel glutamate-urea-lysine analogues that target prostate-specific membrane antigen as molecular imaging pharmaceuticals for prostate cancer.

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a validated molecular marker for prostate cancer. A series of glutamate-urea (Glu-urea-X) heterodimeric inhibitors of PSMA were designed and synthesized where X = epsilon-N-(o-I, m-I, p-I, p-Br, o-Cl, m-Cl, p-Cl, p-F, H)-benzyl-Lys and epsilon-(p-I, p-Br, p-Cl, p-F, H)-phenylureido-Lys. The affinities for PSMA were determined by screening in a competitive binding assay. PSMA binding of the benzyllysine series was significantly affected by the nature of the halogen substituent (IC(50) values, Cl < I = Br << F = H) and the ring position of the halogen atom (IC(50) values, p-I < o-I << m-I). The halogen atom had little affect on the binding affinity in the para substituted phenylureido-Lys series. Two lead iodine compounds were radiolabeled with (123)I and (131)I and demonstrated specific PSMA binding on human prostate cancer cells, warranting evaluation as radioligands for the detection, staging, and monitoring of prostate cancer.

A series of halogenated heterodimeric inhibitors of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as radiolabeled probes for targeting prostate cancer.

This phase 1 study was performed to determine the pharmacokinetics and ability to visualize prostate cancer in bone, soft-tissue, and the prostate gland using 123 I-MIP-1072 and 123 I-MIP-1095, novel radiolabeled small molecules targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen. Methods: Seven patients with a documented history of prostate cancer by histopathology or radiologic evidence of metastatic disease were intravenously administered 370 MBq (10 mCi) of 123 I-MIP-1072 and 123 I-MIP-1095 2 wk apart in a crossover trial design. 123I-MIP-1072 was also studied in 6 healthy volunteers. Whole-body planar and SPECT/CT imaging was performed and pharmacokinetics studied over 2– 3d . Target-to-background ratios were calculated. Absorbed radiation doses were estimated using OLINDA/EXM. Results: 123I-MIP1072 and 123 I-MIP-1095 visualized lesions in soft tissue, bone, and the prostate gland within 0.5–1 h after injection, with retention beyond 48 h. Target-to-background ratios from planar images averaged 2:1 at 1 h, 3:1 at 4–24 h, and greater than 10:1 at 4 and 24 h for SPECT/CT. Both agents cleared the blood in a biphasic manner; clearance of 123 I-MIP-1072 was approximately 5 times faster. 123 I-MIP-1072 was excreted in the urine, with 54% and 74% present by 24 and 72 h, respectively. In contrast, only 7% and 20% of 123 I-MIP-1095 had been renally excreted by 24 and 72 h, respectively. Estimated absorbed radiation doses were 0.054 versus 0.110 mGy/MBq for the kidneys and 0.024 versus 0.058 mGy/MBq for the liver, for 123 I-MIP-1072 and 123 I-MIP1095, respectively. Conclusion: 123I-MIP-1072 and 123I-MIP1095 detect lesions in soft tissue, bone, and the prostate gland at as early as 1–4 h. These novel radiolabeled small molecules have excellent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and warrant further development as diagnostic and potentially when labeled with 131 I therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/jnumed/54/3/380.full.pdf

John A. Barrett

Papers

Preclinical evaluation of novel glutamate-urea-lysine analogues that target prostate-specific membrane antigen as molecular imaging pharmaceuticals for prostate cancer.

A series of halogenated heterodimeric inhibitors of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as radiolabeled probes for targeting prostate cancer.

First-in-Man Evaluation of 2 High-Affinity PSMA-Avid Small Molecules for Imaging Prostate Cancer

99mTc labeling of highly potent small peptides.

Labeling a Hydrazino Nicotinamide-Modified Cyclic IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist with 99mTc Using Aminocarboxylates as Coligands