Delta-like ligand 3–targeted radioimmunotherapy for neuroendocrine prostate cancer

Abstract

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a lethal subtype of prostate cancer with limited meaningful treatment options. NEPC lesions uniquely express delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) on their cell surface. Taking advantage of DLL3 overexpression, we developed and evaluated lutetium-177 ( 177 Lu)–labeled DLL3-targeting antibody SC16 ( 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16) as a treatment for NEPC. SC16 was functionalized with DTPA-CHX-A" chelator and radiolabeled with 177 Lu to produce 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16. Specificity and selectivity of 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16 were evaluated in vitro and in vivo using NCI-H660 (NEPC, DLL3-positive) and DU145 (adenocarcinoma, DLL3-negative) cells and xenografts. Dose-dependent treatment efficacy and specificity of 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16 radionuclide therapy were evaluated in H660 and DU145 xenograft–bearing mice. Safety of the agent was assessed by monitoring hematologic parameters. 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16 showed high tumor uptake and specificity in H660 xenografts, with minimal uptake in DU145 xenografts. At all three tested doses of 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16 (4.63, 9.25, and 27.75 MBq/mouse), complete responses were observed in H660-bearing mice; 9.25 and 27.75 MBq/mouse doses were curative. Even the lowest tested dose proved curative in five (63%) of eight mice, and recurring tumors could be successfully re-treated at the same dose to achieve complete responses. In DU145 xenografts, 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16 therapy did not inhibit tumor growth. Platelets and hematocrit transiently dropped, reaching nadir at 2 to 3 wk. This was out of range only in the highest-dose cohort and quickly recovered to normal range by week 4. Weight loss was observed only in the highest-dose cohort. Therefore, our data demonstrate that 177 Lu-DTPA-SC16 is a potent and safe radioimmunotherapeutic agent for testing in humans with NEPC.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jun 27, 2022
Source ID
10.1073/pnas.2203820119

Entities

People

  • Charles Rudin
  • Jason S. Lewis
  • John T. Poirier
  • Joshua A. Korsen
  • Julia Gutierrez
  • Kathryn M. Tully
  • Lisa Bodei
  • Lukas M Carter
  • Michael J. Morris
  • Nagavarakishore Pillarsetty
  • Samantha Khitrov
  • Yu Chen
  • Zachary V. Samuels

Organizations

  • Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • National Cancer Institute
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences
  • New York University
  • Weill Cornell Medicine

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Oncology
  • Prostate Cancer Biology.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology