Affibody Molecules for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeting In Vivo: Aspects of Dimerization and Labeling Chemistry

Noninvasive detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in malignant tumors by radionuclide molecular imaging may provide diagnostic information influencing patient management. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel EGFR-targeting protein, the Z(EGFR:1907) Affibody molecule, for radionuclide imaging of EGFR expression, to determine a suitable tracer format (dimer or monomer) and optimal label. Methods: An EGFR-specific Affibody molecule, ZEGFR:1907, and its dimeric form, (Z(EGFR:1907))(2), were labeled with In-111 using benzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and with I-125 using p-iodobenzoate. Affinity and cellular retention of conjugates were evaluated in vitro. Biodistribution of radiolabeled Affibody molecules was compared in mice bearing EGFR-expressing A431 xenografts. Specificity of EGFR targeting was confirmed by comparison with biodistribution of non-EGFR-specific counterparts. Results: Head-to-tail dimerization of the Affibody molecule improved the dissociation rate. In vitro, dimeric forms demonstrated superior cellular retention of radioactivity. For both molecular set-ups, retention was better for the In-111-labeled tracer than for the radioiodinated counterpart. In vivo, all conjugates accumulated specifically in xenografts and in EGFRexpressing tissues. The retention of radioactivity in tumors was better in vivo for dimeric forms; however, the absolute uptake values were higher for monomeric tracers. The best tracer, In-111-labeled Z(EGFR:1907), provided a tumor-to-blood ratio of 100 (24 h after injection). Conclusion: The radiometal-labeled monomeric Aff ibody molecule Z(EGFR:1907) has a potential for radionuclide molecular imaging of EGFR expression in malignant tumors.