The growing understanding of tumor biology and the identification of tumor specificgenetic and molecular alterations, such as the overexpression of human epidermal growthfactor receptor 2 (HER2), opens up for personalization of patient management using targeted therapies. However, this puts stringent demands on the diagnostic tools usedto identify patients that are likely to respond to a particular treatment. Radionuclide molecular imaging is a promising non-invasive method to visualize and characterize the expression of such targets. This thesis, based on five papers, is focused on the development of radiolabeled Affibody molecules for imaging of HER2-expression in malignant tumors. Affibody molecules, which represent a rather novel class of affinity proteins developed by combinatorial protein engineering of the protein A derived Z-domain, display manyfeatures that make them promising tracers for molecular imaging applications. The aim of the work presented here was to further develop the tracer format for improved in vivo properties and flexibility in the choice of radionuclide. In paper I, the development of an assay that enables quantitative studies of the internalization rate and cellular processing of high affinity Affibody molecules is described. The assay was applied to a HER2-binding Affibody variant that was efficiently retained by HER2-expressing cells, although characterized by a slow internalization rate. This may have implications for the choice of label for Affibody molecules since high affinity to the target may be equally, or more, important for good imaging quality than residualizing properties of the radiolabel. In paper II, a HER2-binding Affibody molecule and the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab were labeled with positron emitting 124I, for a head-to-head in vivocomparison of the two tracer formats. The effects of tracer size and presence of an Fc region on the biodistribution profile were investigated. In paper III, a HER2-binding Affibody molecule was site-specifically labeled with radiocobalt and evaluated in vitro and in vivo.A head-to-head in vivo comparison with the well-studied 111In-labeled counterpart was performed, revealing promising potential for the cobalt-labeled molecule as a PET-tracerfor visualization of HER2. Paper IV describes the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a panel of Affibody molecules with different C-terminal peptide-based chelators for the coordination of 99mTc. Even small changes in the C-terminal sequence had appreciable impact on the biodistribution of the Affibody molecules and by optimizing the design of the chelator, the kidney uptake of 99mTc could be significantly reduced. Finally, in paper V we describe the development of a HER2-targeting Affibody variant equipped with a Sel-tag for site-specific labeling with the short-lived positron emitter 11C. This novel Affibody tracer could be used to image HER2-expressing tumors in vivo within one hour after injection. Taken together, Affibody molecules show great promise as targeting tracers for radionuclide molecular imaging of HER2. Careful design and optimization of the tracer protein is important and can be used to improve the biodistribution and targeting properties of Affibody molecules. / QC 20110922

The fluorinase enzyme, originally isolated from Streptomyces cattleya, has the unique ability to generate a C–F bond from aqueous fluoride ion and S-adenosylmethionine, making the fluorinase an attractive biochemical tool for radiolabelling biomolecules with fluorine-18 for application to positron emission tomography (PET). The inherent substrate specificity of the enzyme is, however, limiting, as only small modifications to the natural nucleoside substrate were known to be tolerated. This thesis describes an exploration and expansion of the substrate scope of the fluorinase enzyme, and its application to radiolabelling biomolecules for PET. The design and synthesis of a novel acetylene bearing substrate for the fluorinase, 5'-chloro-5'-deoxy-2-ethynyladenosine (ClDEA) is described. ClDEA proved an excellent substrate for the fluorinase, and the kinetics of the transformation and binding affinities of the new substrate and product were investigated. The fluorinated acetylenic product was demonstrated to undergo a copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction with an azide bearing RGD peptide, and this methodology was investigated for the synthesis of a novel fluorine-18-bearing prosthetic group for the synthesis of a radiolabelled RGD peptide, which was assessed in vivo in a rat. After the demonstration that the fluorinase can be used for “last step” radiolabelling of bioactive peptides, the synthesis of dimeric and tetrameric RGD-bearing substrates for the fluorinase was investigated. These large constructs underwent efficient enzymatic fluorination, and the fluorinated products showed increased binding affinity to their targets, compared to monomeric analogues. The challenges encountered during radiolabelling of these multimers with fluorine-18 using the fluorinase are discussed. A difluoromethyl-bearing nucleoside substrate (F₂DA) was synthesised as a potential substrate in the reverse direction for the fluorinase, to further probe the substrate specificity if the fluorinase. Upon incubation with the enzyme, F₂DA did not appear to undergo reaction, despite the demonstration that F₂DA binds to the enzyme. Finally, the optimisation of a fluorinase-based protocol for the synthesis of the PET radiotracer [¹⁸F]fluoroacetate is described. The enzymatic method proved unsuitable for a small animal study due to contamination of the final product, and a chemical method was investigated and optimised as an alternative approach. [¹⁸F]Fluoroacetate synthesised using the developed chemical method was employed in an in vivo evaluation of acetyl CoA synthetase (ACSS2) activity in healthy and tumour-bearing mouse models, in an study to assess the activity of ACSS2 in breast and colon cancer models in mice.

v anglickém jazyce Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry Student: Bc. Jakub Gajdoš Supervisor: Mgr. Pavel Bárta, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Radiolabeling of ramucirumab followed with the study of its internalization in vitro. The process of angiogenesis ensures the formation of the bloodstream at the site of its increased need. Therefore, it is not surprising that angiogenesis is often included in the tumor production process, because it provides the tumor cells nutrition supply and metabolite removal. The targeting of angiogenesis has become a key topic of some scientific research. The process of tumor blood supply formation provides a family of vascular endothelial factors (VEGFs) and their respective receptors, which have become the target of the angiogenesis attenuation in a cancer treatment. One of many therapeutics is the monoclonal antibody ramucirumab targeted against VEGF receptor type 2 (VEGFR-2). Radioactive labeling of ramucirumab with a suitable radionuclide could bring benefits in either radiotherapy or radiodiagnostics. The aim of this diploma thesis was the indirect radioactive labeling of monoclonal antibody ramucirumab using 99m Tc as radiodiagnostic nuclide via the chelation agent succinimidyl-6-...

Depuis leur découverte en 1975 par Köhler et Milstein, le monde des Ac monoclonaux a beaucoup évolué. Ils occupent actuellement une place prépondérante dans la prise en charge de nombreux cancers. De nos jours, les Ac monoclonaux, ayant une AMM ou en essai clinique, sont tous de classe IgG voire IgG1. Cette classe d’Ac a cependant montré des limites à son utilisation, et l’étude d’autres isotypes d’Ac, comme les IgA, pourrait être intéressante. Les IgA, isotype d’Ac particulier en raison notamment de leur hétérogénéité dans les formes moléculaires, demeurent peu étudiées à l’instar des IgG. Dans ce travail, nous proposons un radiomarquage des IgA monomériques, polymériques et sécrétoires, avec le 99mTc par une méthode indirecte impliquant le 2-iminothiolane et le cœur tricarbonyl. Par le biais de ce radiomarquage, la biodistribution des IgA monomériques et polymériques après administration i.v. a été évaluée chez l’animal sain et chez l’animal porteur de tumeur à localisation muqueuse. Ces études nous ont permis d’entrevoir le potentiel diagnostique des IgA, mais aussi leur intérêt en thérapie ciblée de tumeurs à localisation muqueuse. D’autre part, grâce à leur résistance enzymatique et au phénomène de retranscytose, une nouvelle voie d’administration des Ac monoclonaux pourrait être développée. Dans cette optique, des IgA sécrétoires ont été administrées par voie orale lors d’études préliminaires de biodistribution. / Since their discovery in 1975, by Köhler and Milstein, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) world has significantly evolved and they currently hold a prominent place in cancers care. Today, the mAbs, having a marketing authorization or in clinical trial, are all IgG class (IgG1). However, this Ab class showed limitations on its use, and the study of other isotypes, such as IgA, could be interesting. Unlike IgG, IgA, original isotype particularly because of their heterogeneity in molecular forms, remains understudied. In this work, we propose a radiolabeling of monomeric, polymeric and secretory IgA with 99mTc by an indirect method, involving 2-iminothiolane and tricarbonyl core. Biodistribution of radiolabeled monomeric and polymeric IgA was evaluated, after intravenous administration, in healthy animals and in mucosal tumor-bearing animals. These studies have allowed us to glimpse the IgA diagnostic potential, but also their interest in targeted therapy of tumors with mucosal localization. Moreover, thanks to their enzymatic strength and retranscytosis, a new administration route of mAbs could be developed. In this context, secretory IgA were administered orally in preliminary biodistribution studies.

1 CHARLES UNIVERSITY FAKULTY OF PHARMACY IN HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ DEPARTMENT OF BIOPHYSICS AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY DISSERTATION THESIS RADIOLABELED ANTIBODIES - THE PERSPECTIVE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY Supervizor: Mgr. PAVEL BÁRTA, Ph.D. HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ, 2017 Bc. JANA MEJTSKÁ 2 ABSTRACT EN Different types of tissues have a characteristic cell morphology. Each cell has typical molecules on its surface, which may be either of physiological or pathological type. The presence of these surface structures can be interesting for possible modulation of specific cell populations from neighboring cells. Utilization of this property is then essential particularly in a case of tumor cells. Targeting on tumor specific cell structures involves the use of receptor specific peptides or monoclonal antibodies. The discovery of the preparation of monoclonal antibodies has opened a new chapter in the treatment and diagnosis not only tumor diseases. The advantage of monoclonal antibodies is their specificity and also high affinity to the type of the target cell structures. This study is focused on the summary of monoclonal antibodies which are currently being applied on the treatment or diagnosis of a particular cancer. Furthermore, this work also includes antibodies which are under development for intended medical applications with...

Lanthanide-based upconversion nanoparticles are able to absorb low-energy near-infrared (NIR) photons and emit visible or ultraviolet light. This unique optical property enables luminescent detection without autofluorescence from biological samples that is crucial for bioimaging and diagnostics. Moreover, NIR irradiation allows to deliver light deep into the tissue, which can be used for drug or gene delivery and NIR-induced photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. Despite huge effort during the last 10 years devoted to the upconversion nanoparticle synthesis and their surface engineering, preparation of the particles suitable for biomedical applications still remains a big challenge. The current work is focused on synthesis of the upconversion nanoparticles with controllable morphology, size, distribution, crystallinity, and high upconversion efficiency, as well as on desirable surface modification by biocompatible inorganic or organic polymers. Neat and functionalized homogeneous silica shell was introduced on the NaYF4:Yb3+ /Er3+ and NaGdF4:Yb3+ /Er3+ nanoparticles to enhance their biocompatibility and colloidal stability in water. To render the nanoparticles with targeting moieties, their surface was decorated with cell-adhesive RGD or cell-penetrating TAT peptides. The RGD- and TAT- conjugated...

Le marquage isotopique représente un enjeu important dans le domaine de la recherche liée à la santé que ce soit en milieu académique ou industriel. Dans ce cadre, les isotopes du carbone jouent un rôle fondamental pour l’étude des propriétés pharmacocinétiques et pharmacodynamiques des candidats médicaments. L’objectif de cette thèse est de développer des nouvelles méthodologies pour le marquage «late-stage» des candidats médicaments à travers la synthèse d’urées et de carbamates cycliques. Ces entités chimiques, largement présentes dans le monde pharmaceutique, étaient traditionnellement marquées via l’utilisation du phosgène ou du monoxyde de carbone. Ce manuscrit présente de nouvelles méthodes alternatives qui considèrent l’utilisation du CO₂, qui est le réactif de départ pour la synthèse avec le carbone-14 et le carbone-11. C’est pourquoi l’utilisation du CO₂ dans une dernière étape de marquage a retenu notre attention. Cette thèse présente un processus réactionnel séquentiel de Staudinger/aza-Wittig qui a été étudié et amélioré pour une incorporation rapide du CO₂ via la formation d’un intermédiaire isocyanate. Le piégeage intramoléculaire de cette espèce par des alcools ou des amines permet la formation d’urées et de carbamates cycliques d’une grande variété structurelle. Après optimisation, cette séquence a pu être effectuée en une étape, à température ambiante et dans des temps très courts de l’ordre de cinq minutes. Ces conditions optimisées ont permis une application directe à la chimie des isotopes [¹⁴C] et [¹¹C], notamment dans le cadre de collaborations avec le Service Hospitalier Joliot Curie (Orsay) et la Karolinska Institute (Suède) fournissant un outil puissant pour le marquage des candidats-médicaments, et ce avec les deux radio-isotopes. / Radioisotope labeling is a relevant topic for health applications in academy, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. In this context, carbon isotopes play a basic role in drug development and ADME and toxicological studies. Traditional synthesis with radiocarbon (¹⁴C), based on lengthy and multistep approaches, have hampered the sustainability of the strategy. The aim of this PhD thesis is the development of new methodologies for the late-stage carbon labeling of drug candidates and specifically of cyclic ureas and carbamates. These chemical entities, widely present in pharma and crop science, were used to be labeled using toxic radioactive reagents such as phosgene and carbon monoxide. As valuable alternative, the employ of CO₂, the most readily available building block for carbon-14 and carbon-11 radioisotopes, has been proposed. Unfortunately, [¹⁴C]CO₂ is a poorly reactive building block that requires strong nucleophiles or harsh conditions for its functionalization. Consequently, the incorporation of the isotope at the very beginning of the synthetic process is required causing, de facto, a dramatic stepwise increase of the radioactive waste production, with a heavy environmental impact. In this thesis, we investigate the use of a sequential Staudinger/aza-Wittig reaction that allows the rapid incorporation of CO₂ to provide the corresponding isocyanate. The cyclic urea and carbamate could be so obtained by intramolecular reaction with an amine or hydroxyl moieties. After optimization, the methodology could be successfully performed one-pot, at room temperature within five minutes, demonstrating also a broad scope reliability. Those conditions allowed a direct translation to [¹⁴C] and [¹¹C] chemistry, in collaboration with the Service Hospitalier Joliot Curie (Orsay) and the Karolinska Institute (Sweden), furnishing a powerful tool for the labeling of drug candidates within both the radioisotopes

Commercial media and surfaces for cell cultivation do not promote conditions for cell cultivation and proliferation with specific interactions cell-material surface. The aim of this thesis is developing surfaces for cell cultivation which mimic conditions in living tissues. The approach introduced in this thesis is based on applying biomimetic peptide ligands on inert supporting materials with non-fouling properties. Considering that a choice of a ligand sequence and distance between peptides can dramatically influence the outcome, a few model peptides with varying parameters were synthesized and investigated. The cell adhesive peptides were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis and scrambled peptides were synthesized and tested as well. Spatial deposition of peptides is another highly important point of study. The 'click'- reaction was used to successfully immobilize the peptides on produced surfaces. The distance between the peptide molecules on the surfaces was controlled by their concentration in a reaction mixture. The reference samples were immobilized with radiolabeled peptides for quantitative estimation of the peptides present. Then, the materials with different types of peptides and range of concentrations were examined via cultivation of cell cultures. The experiments were focused on...

A aterosclerose é caracterizada como uma doença imune-inflamatória crônica das artérias devido ao grande acúmulo de lipídios na íntima. Um dos fatores envolvidos na progressão da aterosclerose é a presença de uma subfração de partículas de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL) com um grau mínimo de modificação, denominada LDL eletronegativa [LDL(-)], que possui propriedades pró-inflamatórias, apresenta maior retenção na íntima das artérias e maior tempo de permanência na circulação sanguínea, gerando respostas imuno-inflamatórias. Epítopos de anticorpos monoclonais importantes no reconhecimento das partículas de LDL(-) foram mapeados por phage display, gerando peptídeos mimotopos (P1A3 e P2C7) com potencial para acompanhamento da progressão da aterosclerose, sendo excelentes candidatos como radiotraçadores marcados com emissores de pósitrons para obtenção de imagens moleculares por tomografia por emissão de pósitrons (PET) associada à tomografia computadorizada (PET/CT). O peptídeo P1A3 foi radiomarcado com 64Cu através da complexação com o quelante DOTA, obtendo-se imagens por PET/CT da captação do peptídeo na região do arco aórtico de camundongos knockout para a apolipoproteína E (Apoe-/-) comparados com animais controle sem lesões ateroscleróticas. Antes da obtenção das imagens PET/CT, os peptídeos radiomarcados foram validados através de estudos de estabilidade e biodistribuição, acumulando-se rapidamente nos rins. Também foi sintetizado um nanocluster de ouro, marcado com 64Cu e funcionalizado com P1A3 em sua superfície, observando-se o maior direcionamento dos nanoclusters de ouro ligados ao P1A3 para a região das lesões ateroscleróticas do arco aórtico de camundongos Apoe-/-, comparado ao nanocluster controle. Os peptídeos P1A3 e P2C7 radiomarcados com 68Ga, foram também avaliados por imagens PET/CT em camundongos knockout para o gene do receptor da LDL (LDLr-/-) tratados ou não com dieta hipercolesterolêmica. As imagens PET/CT mostraram que os peptídeos marcados com 68Ga tiveram um aumento de captação na região do arco aórtico de camundongos LDLr-/- hipercolesterolêmicos em relação ao controle. Além disso, P2C7 foi radiomarcado com 99mTc e sua biodistribuição demonstrou uma relação maior de % atividade injetada (AI)/órgão da aorta/coração nos camundongos hipercolesterolêmicos, em concordância com a imagem obtida por SPECT (tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único) que revelou maior captação no arco aórtico. / Atherosclerosis is characterized as a chronic immune-inflammatory disease of the large arteries due to the accumulation of lipids in the intima. One of the factors involved in the progression of atherosclerosis is the presence of a subfraction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles with a minimum degree of modification, called electronegative LDL [LDL (-)], which has proinflammatory properties, retention in the intima of the arteries and longer residence time in the blood circulation, generating immune-inflammatory responses. Epitopes of monoclonal antibodies important for the recognition of LDL(-) particles were mapped by phage display, generating mimotope peptides (P1A3 and P2C7) with potential to monitor the progression of atherosclerosis. These peptides are excellent candidates as radiotracers labeled with positron emitters to obtain molecular images by positron emission tomography (PET) associated with computed tomography (PET/CT). The P1A3 peptide was radiolabeled with 64Cu by complexation with the DOTA chelator to obtain PET/CT images of the peptide uptake in the aortic arch of apoliprotein E knockout mice (Apoe-/-) compared to control animals without atherosclerotic lesions. Prior to PET/CT imaging, radiolabeled peptides were validated by stability and biodistribution studies that indicated rapid accumulation in the kidneys. It was also synthesized a gold nanocluster, labeled with 64Cu and functionalized with P1A3 on its surface, observing the greater targeting of gold nanoclusters bound to P1A3 in the region of the atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic arch of Apoe-/- mice, compared to control nanocluster. The P1A3 and P2C7 peptides radiolabeled with 68Ga were also evaluated by PET imaging in LDL receptor gene knockout mice (LDLr-/-) treated or not with a hypercholesterolemic diet. PET/CT images showed that the 68Ga-labeled peptides had increased uptake in aortic arch of LDLr-/- hypercholesterolemic mice in relation to the control. Furthermore, the biodistribution of 99mTc-radiolabeled P2C7 showed a higher %ID (injected dose)/organ ratio of aorta/heart in hypercholesterolemic mice that was in accordance to SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging showing its higher uptake in the aortic arch.

Nanoparticles possess unique characteristics that make them well suited for molecular imaging. Particles can be synthesized in a systematic fashion with tight control over diameter and surface chemistry. Contrary to existing gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, nanoparticle MRI contrast agents circulate in the blood for long periods of time, offer higher sensitivity, and exhibit little known toxicity. The qualities of nanoparticles are also well suited to the design of PET probes. Because of their large surface area nanoparticles can be radiolabeled at high specific activity, increasing the sensitivity of detection as well as the payload of therapeutic isotopes. The work presented here focuses on the development and biological application of novel radiolabeled magnetic nanoparticles for multimodal PET/MRI imaging. The nanoparticle probes contained crystalline iron oxide cores capable of producing strong MRI contrast. Cores were coated with either a micelle composed of functionalized PEGylated lipids, or a cross-linked dextran shell modified with heterobifuntional PEG polymers. For PET imaging, magnetic nanoparticles were labeled with the radionuclide 64Cu. Copper‐64 is a cyclotron produced positron emitter used for PET imaging. With a 12.7 hour half-life, 64Cu can be used to image particles in vivo for up to 48 hr and can be used to evaluate ex vivo biodistribution for 72 hours. 64Cu nuclides also undergo β‐ decay, making it a useful isotope for radiotherapy. Nanoparticles were labeled with 64Cu and PET and MRI contrast and evaluated using phantoms. Pharmacokinetic information was measured using in vivo small animal PET/CT and ex vivo biodistribution at multiple time points. Particles were targeted to the angiogenesis marker αvβ3 integrin using a cyclized arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide with high affinity for αvβ3 and tested in two tumor models. A unilateral tumor model was constructed using the αvβ3-positive U87MG glioblastoma line, and a bilateral model was constructed using the M21 (αvβ3 positive) and M21L (αvβ3 negative) melanoma lines. In vivo PET/CT and MRI showed that targeted nanoparticles produced both PET and MRI contrast in tumors. In conclusion, we report the development of magnetic nanoparticles for dual‐PET/MR imaging. These findings provide insight into the design and development of future multimodality PET/MRI probes.