The Balance Between the Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in a Preclinical Prostate Cancer Model

Marjolein Verhoeven, Joost Haeck, Erik de Blois, Francesca Orlandi, Donato Barbato, Mattia Tedesco, Mark Konijnenberg, Simone U. Dalm*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
23 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: 

Radiolabeled NeoB is a promising gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)–targeting radiopharmaceutical for theranostics of GRPR-expressing malignancies, e.g., prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB on the balance between therapeutic efficacy and safety in a preclinical PCa model. 

Procedures: 

To determine the efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB, PC-3 xenografted mice received 3 sham injections (control group) or 3 injections of 30 MBq/300 pmol, 40 MBq/400 pmol, or 60 MBq/600 pmol [177Lu]Lu-NeoB (groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) 1 week apart. To quantify tumor uptake, single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging was performed 4 h after the first, second, and third injection on a separate group of animals. For safety evaluations, pancreatic and renal tissues of non-tumor-bearing mice treated with the abovementioned [177Lu]Lu-NeoB doses were evaluated 12 and 24 weeks post-treatment. 

Results: 

Treatment of PC-3 tumors with all three studied [177Lu]Lu-NeoB doses was effective. Median survival times were significantly (p < 0.0001) improved for treatment groups 1, 2, and 3 versus the control group (82 days, 89 days, 99 days versus 19 days, respectively). However, no significant differences were observed between treatment groups. Quantification of SPECT/CT images showed minimal differences in the average absolute radioactivity uptake, especially after the third injection. Histopathological analysis revealed no clear signs of treatment-related pancreatic toxicity. For the kidneys, atrophy and fibrosis were observed for one animal from group 1 and a chronic inflammatory response was observed for both animals from group 3 at 24 weeks post-treatment. 

Conclusions: 

Treatment with [177Lu]Lu-NeoB is effective in a preclinical PCa model. Adjusting the administered dose could positively impact the risk-benefit balance as a higher dose might not lead to an increased therapeutic effect, but it may lead to an increase in toxicological effects in healthy organs such as the kidneys.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-123
Number of pages10
JournalMolecular Imaging and Biology
Volume26
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis Company.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).

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