Methods of treating breast cancer

Compositions and formulations comprising chlorotoxin conjugate compounds are provided, including native and modified variants of chlorotoxin peptide conjugated to detectable agents or active agents. Methods of detecting and treating ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ, invasive lobular carcinoma, and triple-negative breast cancer with chlorotoxin conjugate compounds are also provided, including methods of imaging tumor tissues and cells.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Apr. 13, 2017, is named 45639-709_601_SL.txt and is 245,114 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a cancer that usually starts in the inner lining of the milk ducts or lobules of the breast. Although breast cancer is rare in men, it is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, with about 230,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year. Breast cancers exhibit a wide range of morphological phenotypes and specific histopathological types. Treatment usually includes some combination of surgery, drugs (chemotherapy), and radiation, and the extent of surgical resection directly influences patient prognosis. Unfortunately, intra-operative identification of tumor margins or small foci of cancer cells remains imprecise. Residual cancer that is undetected at the time of surgery results in missed opportunity to achieve a complete resection with a single procedure. This can result in additional surgery, additional adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and/or radiation), and worse outcome for the patient.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides peptides and pharmaceutical compositions of peptides for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer, and ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer. Described herein are peptides that home, target, are directed to, migrate to, or accumulate in triple-negative breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer, and ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with triple-negative breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide is any one of SEQ ID NO: 482-SEQ ID NO: 485 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with triple-negative breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with triple-negative breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide is any one of SEQ ID NO: 482-SEQ ID NO: 485 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide is any one of SEQ ID NO: 482-SEQ ID NO: 485 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer comprises administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer, the method comprising, administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide is any one of SEQ ID NO: 482-SEQ ID NO: 485 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer, the method comprising, administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer, the method comprising, administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer, the method comprising, administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide is any one of SEQ ID NO: 482-SEQ ID NO: 485 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer, the method comprising, administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 or a fragment thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject with lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer, the method comprising, administering a polypeptide to the subject, wherein the polypeptide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In other aspects, the fragment of the polypeptide has a length of at least 25 residues.

In other aspects, each amino acid of the polypeptide is independently selected as an L- or D-enantiomer. In further aspects, the polypeptide contains no lysine residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide contains a single lysine residue. In other aspects, the single lysine residue is located at a position corresponding to K-27 of native chlorotoxin, K-23 of native chlorotoxin, or K-15 of native chlorotoxin. In still other aspects, one, two, or three methionine residues of the polypeptide are replaced with other amino acids.

In certain aspects, the N-terminus of the polypeptide is blocked by acetylation or cyclization.

In other aspects, the polypeptide comprises at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, or at least 6 disulfide bonds.

In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises an isoelectric point of at least 6.0, at least 6.5, at least 7.0, at least 7.5, at least 8.0, at least 8.5, or at least 9.0.

In certain aspects, the polypeptide binds to a breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell.

In other aspects, the method further comprises detecting the presence or absence of the polypeptide in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the polypeptide in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of a breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell. In some aspects, the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is associated with triple-negative breast cancer. In other aspects, the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is associated with invasive ductal carcinoma. In still other aspects, the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is associated with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer. In other aspects, the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is associated with invasive lobular carcinoma. In still other aspects, the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is associated with lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer.

In some aspects, the detecting is performed using fluorescence imaging.

In other aspects, the method further comprises surgically removing the breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell from the human subject. In certain aspects, the polypeptide is intravenously administered about 1 hr, about 2 hrs, about 3 hrs, about 4 hrs, about 5 hrs, about 6 hrs, about 7 hrs, about 8 hrs, about 9 hrs, about 10 hrs, about 11 hrs, about 12 hrs, about 13 hrs, about 14 hrs, about 15 hrs, about 16 hrs, about 17 hrs, about 18 hrs, about 19 hrs, about 20 hrs, about 21 hrs, about 22 hrs, about 23 hrs, about 24 hrs, about 36 hrs, about 48 hrs, about 60 hrs, or about 72 hrs prior surgically removing the breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell from the human subject.

In some aspects, the polypeptide is administered at a dosage sufficient to treat triple-negative breast cancer in the human subject. In further aspects, the polypeptide is administered at a dosage sufficient to treat invasive ductal carcinoma in the human subject. In still further aspects, the polypeptide is administered at a dosage sufficient to treat ductal carcinoma in situ in the human subject. In other aspects, the polypeptide is administered at a dosage sufficient to treat invasive lobular carcinoma in the human subject. In still other aspects, the polypeptide is administered at a dosage sufficient to treat lobular carcinoma in situ in the human subject.

In other aspects, the polypeptide is conjugated to an agent. In some aspects, the polypeptide is conjugated to the agent via a cleaveable linker or non-cleavable linker. In certain aspects, the polypeptide comprises a single lysine residue and the agent is conjugated to the polypeptide at the single lysine residue. In other aspects, the polypeptide comprises no lysine residues and the agent is conjugated to the polypeptide at the N-terminus of the polypeptide.

In some aspects, the polypeptide and agent comprise the structure of Formula (IV), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

In some aspects, the polypeptide and agent comprise the structure of any one of Formulas (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), or (XVI), wherein A4is the polypeptide:

In certain aspects, the polypeptide is conjugated to a detectable agent. In other aspects, the polypeptide is conjugated to the detectable agent via a cleavable linker or a non-cleavable linker. In some aspects, the detectable agent comprises a dye, a fluorophore, a fluorescent biotin compound, a luminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a radioisotope, a paramagnetic metal ion, or a combination thereof.

In other aspects, administering the polypeptide comprises intravenously administering a composition comprising the polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some aspects, the composition comprises a pH within a range from about 6 to about 7.5. In certain aspects, the composition comprises an ionic strength less than or equal to about 50 mM. In some aspects, the composition further comprises a buffer comprising histidine, tris, HEPES, ethylene diamine, or a combination thereof. In other aspects, the composition further comprises a sugar alcohol. In certain aspects, the composition comprises from about 0 mM to about 50 mM histidine, from about 0 mM to about 20 mM tris, about 20 mM methionine, from about 3% to about 10% sugar alcohol, and a pH within a range from about 6 to about 7.5.

In some aspects, a method of imaging an organ or body region of a subject comprises administering to the subject a compound comprising a polypeptide conjugated to a detectable marker, wherein the polypeptide comprises: a) any one of SEQ ID NO: 482-SEQ ID NO: 485 or a fragment thereof; b) at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 or a fragment thereof; or at least at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof; and imaging a breast, breast tissue or breast cell of the subject.

In other aspects, the method further comprises detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of a triple-negative breast cancer in a diseased region, tissue, structure, or cell of the subject. In further aspects, the method further comprises detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer in a diseased region, tissue, structure, or cell of the subject. In still further aspects, the method further comprises detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer in the diseased region, tissue, structure or cell of the subject. In other aspects, the method further comprises detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of a breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer in a diseased region, tissue, structure, or cell of the subject. In still other aspects, the method further comprises detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer in the diseased region, tissue, structure or cell of the subject.

In other aspects, the method further comprises performing surgery on the subject.

In some aspects, the method further comprises treating the triple-negative breast cancer. In other aspects, the method further comprises treating the invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. In certain aspects, the method further comprises treating the ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer. In other aspects, the method further comprises treating the invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer. In still other aspects, the method further comprises treating the lobular carcinoma in situ cancer. In some aspects, the method further comprises treating the diseased region, tissue, structure, or cell of the subject.

In other aspects, the surgery comprises removing the triple-negative breast cancer. In further aspects, the surgery comprises removing the invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. In some aspects, the surgery comprises removing the ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer. In other aspects, the surgery comprises removing the lobular ductal carcinoma breast cancer. In still other aspects, the surgery comprises removing the lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer. In certain aspects, the surgery comprises removing the diseased region, tissue, structure or cell of the subject.

In some aspects, the method further comprises imaging the triple-negative breast cancer after surgical removal. In other aspects, the method further comprises imaging the invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer after surgical removal. In certain aspects, the method further comprises imaging the ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer after surgical removal. In other aspects, the method further comprises imaging the invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer after surgical removal. In still other aspects, the method further comprises imaging the lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer after surgical removal. In some aspects, the method further comprises imaging the diseased region, tissue, structure, or cell of the subject after surgical removal.

In some aspects, the method further comprises imaging the tumor bed. In further aspects, the method further comprises detecting residual tumor. In still further aspects, the method further comprises surgical removal of the residual tumor.

In other aspects, the fragment of the polypeptide has a length of at least 25 residues.

In other aspects, each amino acid of the polypeptide is independently selected as an L- or D-enantiomer. In further aspects, the polypeptide contains no lysine residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide contains a single lysine residue. In other aspects, the single lysine residue is located at a position corresponding to K-27 of native chlorotoxin, K-23 of native chlorotoxin, or K-15 of native chlorotoxin. In still other aspects, one, two, or three methionine residues of the polypeptide are replaced with other amino acids.

In certain aspects, the N-terminus of the polypeptide is blocked by acetylation or cyclization.

In other aspects, the polypeptide comprises at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, or at least 6 disulfide bonds.

In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises an isoelectric point of at least 6.0, at least 6.5, at least 7.0, at least 7.5, at least 8.0, at least 8.5, or at least 9.0.

In certain aspects, the polypeptide binds to a breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell.

In some aspects, the detecting is performed using fluorescence imaging.

In other aspects, the method further comprises surgically removing the breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell from the human subject. In certain aspects, the compound is intravenously administered about 1 hr, about 2 hrs, about 3 hrs, about 4 hrs, about 5 hrs, about 6 hrs, about 7 hrs, about 8 hrs, about 9 hrs, about 10 hrs, about 11 hrs, about 12 hrs, about 13 hrs, about 14 hrs, about 15 hrs, about 16 hrs, about 17 hrs, about 18 hrs, about 19 hrs, about 20 hrs, about 21 hrs, about 22 hrs, about 23 hrs, about 24 hrs, about 36 hrs, about 48 hrs, about 60 hrs, or about 72 hrs prior surgically removing the breast cancerous tissue or breast cancer cell from the human subject.

In certain aspects, the polypeptide comprises a single lysine residue and the detectable agent is conjugated to the polypeptide at the single lysine residue. In other aspects, the polypeptide comprises no lysine residues and the detectable agent is conjugated to the polypeptide at the N-terminus of the polypeptide.

In some aspects, the polypeptide and the detectable agent comprise the structure of Formula (IV), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

In some aspects, the polypeptide and the detectable agent comprise the structure of any one of Formulas (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), or (XVI), wherein A4is the polypeptide:

In other aspects, the polypeptide is conjugated to the detectable agent via a cleavable linker or a non-cleavable linker. In some aspects, the detectable agent comprises a dye, a fluorophore, a fluorescent biotin compound, a luminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a radioisotope, a paramagnetic metal ion, or a combination thereof.

In other aspects, administering the polypeptide comprises intravenously administering the compound, wherein the compound is administered in a composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some aspects, the composition comprises a pH within a range from about 6 to about 7.5. In certain aspects, the composition comprises an ionic strength less than or equal to about 50 mM. In some aspects, the composition further comprises a buffer comprising histidine, tris, HEPES, ethylene diamine, or a combination thereof. In other aspects, the composition further comprises a sugar alcohol. In certain aspects, the composition comprises from about 0 mM to about 50 mM histidine, from about 0 mM to about 20 mM tris, about 20 mM methionine, from about 3% to about 10% sugar alcohol, and a pH within a range from about 6 to about 7.5.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the detection and/or treatment of certain types of breast cancer. The compositions described herein comprise peptide conjugates comprising a detectable label, which are suitable for the detection and treatment of breast cancer. In some aspects, the type of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). In other aspects, the type of breast cancer is triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). In still other aspects, the type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In still other aspects, the type of breast cancer is invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). In other aspects, the type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). In certain aspects, the compositions are provided in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which can be administered to a subject by any route of administration. Following administration of the compositions described herein, the peptides or peptide conjugates bind selectively to cancer cells. The cancer cells can then be detected, for example, by imaging or other visualization or detection method suitable for detecting the detectable label of the peptide conjugate. In further aspects, the presently described compositions can be used to treat the type of breast cancer by way of a therapeutic agent, which is attached to the conjugate and which acts on the cancer cells following binding by the peptide portion of the conjugate. These and other aspects are described in detail herein.

Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast, such as in the milk ducts, the lobules (glands that produce breast milk), or the tissue found in between, including but not limited to stromal tissue (fatty and fibrous connective tissue), and can be non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, or metastatic. These characteristics can be used to determine the type of breast cancer. For example, IDC is an invasive breast cancer that originates in the milk ducts, whereas DCIS breast cancer also originates in the milk ducts, but has not become non-invasive.

Additionally, breast cancers can exhibit a wide range of morphological phenotypes and specific histopathological types that have particular prognostic and clinical characteristics. For example, four types of breast cancer can be classified based on the presence or absence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR) in the breast cancer. More specifically, subtypes have been identified and referred to, amongst other classifications, as follows: the subtype luminal A is HER2 negative, ER positive, and either PR positive or negative; the subtype luminal B is HER2 positive, ER negative, and either PR positive or negative; the subtype triple-negative, which is also referred to as TNBC, is HER2 negative, ER negative, and PR negative; and the subtype HER2 type is HER2 positive, ER negative, and PR negative. The majority of TNBCs are basal-like and have a poor prognosis (Penault-LLorca, F. et al.,Ann Oncol.,23 Suppl 6: vi19-22 (2012)).

The type of breast cancer can influence patient prognosis and treatment. For example, TNBCs are more aggressive than luminal A, luminal B, or HER2 type tumors. Unlike the other types, TNBC's growth is not driven by estrogen or progesterone, or by growth signals coming from the HER2 protein and does not respond to hormonal therapy, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, or therapies that target HER2 receptors, such as Herceptin, and therefore, treatment options are limited for TNBC treatment. A large number of patients with TNBC treated with chemotherapy and surgery are not cured of their disease, and approximately 30% to 40% of these patients will have a recurrence of disease within 3 to 10 years of treatment with neoadjuvant therapy and surgery. Most patients with recurrent disease will die from their breast cancer. Therefore, identification and pursuit of new therapeutic advances is critical.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the aspects and embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and figures. The discussion below is descriptive, illustrative and exemplary and is not to be taken as limiting the scope defined by any appended claims.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “and,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” includes a plurality of such compounds, reference to “an agent” includes a plurality of such agents, and reference to “the cell” includes reference to one or more cells (or to a plurality of cells) and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. When ranges are used herein for physical properties, such as molecular weight, or chemical properties, such as chemical formulae, all combinations and subcombinations of ranges and specific embodiments therein are intended to be included. The term “about” when referring to a number or a numerical range means that the number or numerical range referred to is an approximation within experimental variability (or within statistical experimental error), and thus the number or numerical range may vary between 1% and 15% of the stated number or numerical range. The term “comprising” (and related terms such as “comprise” or “comprises” or “having” or “including”) is not intended to exclude that in other certain embodiments, for example, an embodiment of any composition of matter, composition, method, or process, or the like, described herein, may “consist of” or “consist essentially of” the described features.

“Cyano” refers to the —CN radical.

“Nitro” refers to the —NO2radical.

“Oxa” refers to the —O— radical.

“Oxo” refers to the ═O radical.

“Thioxo” refers to the ═S radical.

“Imino” refers to the ═N—H radical.

“Hydrazino” refers to the ═N—NH2radical.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no unsaturation, having from one to fifteen carbon atoms (e.g., C1-C15alkyl). In certain embodiments, an alkyl comprises one to thirteen carbon atoms (e.g., C1-C13alkyl). In certain embodiments, an alkyl comprises one to eight carbon atoms (e.g., C1-C15alkyl). In other embodiments, an alkyl comprises five to fifteen carbon atoms (e.g., C5-C15alkyl). In other embodiments, an alkyl comprises five to eight carbon atoms (e.g., C5-C15alkyl). The alkyl is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, for example, methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (t-butyl), 3-methylhexyl, 2-methylhexyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more of the following substituents: halo, cyano, nitro, oxo, thioxo, trimethylsilanyl, —ORa, —SRa, —OC(O)—Ra, —N(Ra)2, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)ORa, —C(O)N(Ra)2, —N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2) where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl.

“Alkenyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical group consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing at least one double bond, and having from two to twelve carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, an alkenyl comprises two to eight carbon atoms. In other embodiments, an alkenyl comprises two to four carbon atoms. The alkenyl is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, for example, ethenyl (i.e., vinyl), prop-1-enyl (i.e., allyl), but-1-enyl, pent-1-enyl, penta-1,4-dienyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkenyl group is optionally substituted by one or more of the following substituents: halo, cyano, nitro, oxo, thioxo, trimethylsilanyl, —ORa, —SRa, —OC(O)—Ra, —N(Ra)2, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)ORa, —C(O)N(Ra)2, —N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2) where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl.

“Alkynyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical group consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing at least one triple bond, having from two to twelve carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, an alkynyl comprises two to eight carbon atoms. In other embodiments, an alkynyl has two to four carbon atoms. The alkynyl is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, for example, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkynyl group is optionally substituted by one or more of the following substituents: halo, cyano, nitro, oxo, thioxo, trimethylsilanyl, —ORa, —SRa, —OC(O)—Ra, —N(Ra)2, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)ORa, —C(O)N(Ra)2, —N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2) where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl.

“Alkylene” or “alkylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing no unsaturation and having from one to twelve carbon atoms, for example, methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, and the like. The alkylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon in the alkylene chain or through any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkylene chain is optionally substituted by one or more of the following substituents: halo, cyano, nitro, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, oxo, thioxo, trimethylsilanyl, —ORa, —SRa, —OC(O)—Ra, —N(Ra)2, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)ORa, —C(O)N(Ra)2, —N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2) where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl.

“Alkenylene” or “alkenylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing at least one double bond and having from two to twelve carbon atoms, for example, ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkenylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a double bond or a single bond and to the radical group through a double bond or a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkenylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkenylene chain is optionally substituted by one or more of the following substituents: halo, cyano, nitro, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, oxo, thioxo, trimethylsilanyl, —ORa, —SRa, —OC(O)—Ra, —N(Ra)2, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)ORa, —C(O)N(Ra)2, —N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2) where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl (optionally substituted with one or more halo groups), aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of the above substituents is unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“Aryl” refers to a radical derived from an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic hydrocarbon ring system by removing a hydrogen atom from a ring carbon atom. The aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic hydrocarbon ring system contains only hydrogen and carbon from six to eighteen carbon atoms, where at least one of the rings in the ring system is fully unsaturated, i.e., it contains a cyclic, delocalized (4n+2) t-electron system in accordance with the Hückel theory. Aryl groups include, but are not limited to, groups such as phenyl, fluorenyl, and naphthyl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the term “aryl” or the prefix “ar-” (such as in “aralkyl”) is meant to include aryl radicals optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halo, fluoroalkyl, cyano, nitro, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted aralkenyl, optionally substituted aralkynyl, optionally substituted carbocyclyl, optionally substituted carbocyclylalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted heterocyclylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl, —Rb—ORa, —Rb—OC(O)—Ra, —Rb—N(Ra)2, —Rb—C(O)Ra, —Rb—C(O)ORa, —Rb—C(O)N(Ra)2, —Rb—O—Rc—C(O)N(Ra)2, —Rb—N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —Rb—N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —Rb—N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —Rb—S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —Rb—S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2), where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl (optionally substituted with one or more halo groups), aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each Rbis independently a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain, and Rcis a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain, and where each of the above substituents is unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“Aralkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —Rc-aryl where Rcis an alkylene chain as defined above, for example, benzyl, diphenylmethyl and the like. The alkylene chain part of the aralkyl radical is optionally substituted as described above for an alkylene chain. The aryl part of the aralkyl radical is optionally substituted as described above for an aryl group.

“Aralkenyl” refers to a radical of the formula —Rd-aryl where Rdis an alkenylene chain as defined above. The aryl part of the aralkenyl radical is optionally substituted as described above for an aryl group. The alkenylene chain part of the aralkenyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above for an alkenylene group.

“Aralkynyl” refers to a radical of the formula —Rc-aryl, where Rcis an alkynylene chain as defined above. The aryl part of the aralkynyl radical is optionally substituted as described above for an aryl group. The alkynylene chain part of the aralkynyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above for an alkynylene chain.

“Carbocyclyl” refers to a stable non-aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which may include fused or bridged ring systems, having from three to fifteen carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, a carbocyclyl comprises three to ten carbon atoms. In other embodiments, a carbocyclyl comprises five to seven carbon atoms. The carbocyclyl is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond. Carbocyclyl may be saturated, (i.e., containing single C—C bonds only) or unsaturated (i.e., containing one or more double bonds or triple bonds.) A fully saturated carbocyclyl radical is also referred to as “cycloalkyl.” Examples of monocyclic cycloalkyls include, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. An unsaturated carbocyclyl is also referred to as “cycloalkenyl.” Examples of monocyclic cycloalkenyls include, e.g., cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, and cyclooctenyl. Polycyclic carbocyclyl radicals include, for example, adamantyl, norbornyl (i.e., bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl), norbornenyl, decalinyl, 7,7-dimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl, and the like. Unless otherwise stated specifically in the specification, the term “carbocyclyl” is meant to include carbocyclyl radicals that are optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halo, fluoroalkyl, oxo, thioxo, cyano, nitro, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted aralkenyl, optionally substituted aralkynyl, optionally substituted carbocyclyl, optionally substituted carbocyclylalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted heterocyclylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl, —Rb—ORa, —Rb—SRa, —Rb—OC(O)—Ra, —Rb—N(Ra)2, —Rb—C(O)Ra, —Rb—C(O)ORa, —Rb—C(O)N(Ra)2, —Rb—O—Rc—C(O)N(Ra)2, —Rb—N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —Rb—N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —Rb—N(Ra)S(O)tRa(where t is 1 or 2), —Rb—S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —Rb—S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2), where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each Rbis independently a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain, and Rcis a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain, and where each of the above substituents is unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“Carbocyclylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —Rc-carbocyclyl where Rcis an alkylene chain as defined above. The alkylene chain and the carbocyclyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above.

“Heterocyclyl” refers to a 3- to 18-membered non-aromatic ring radical that comprises two to twelve carbon atoms and from one to six heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the heterocyclyl radical is a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems. The heteroatoms in the heterocyclyl radical may be optionally oxidized. One or more nitrogen atoms, if present, are optionally quaternized. The heterocyclyl radical is partially or fully saturated. The heterocyclyl may be attached to the rest of the molecule through any atom of the ring(s). Examples of such heterocyclyl radicals include, but are not limited to, dioxolanyl, thienyl[1,3]dithianyl, decahydroisoquinolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydroisoindolyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, quinuclidinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, trithianyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, and 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the term “heterocyclyl” is meant to include heterocyclyl radicals as defined above that are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halo, fluoroalkyl, oxo, thioxo, cyano, nitro, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted aralkenyl, optionally substituted aralkynyl, optionally substituted carbocyclyl, optionally substituted carbocyclylalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted heterocyclylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl, —Rb—ORa, —Rb—SRa, —Rb—OC(O)—Ra, —Rb—N(Ra)2, —Rb—C(O)Ra, —Rb—C(O)ORa, —Rb—C(O)N(Ra)2, —Rb—O—Rc—C(O)N(Ra)2, —Rb—N(Ra)C(O)ORa, —Rb—N(Ra)C(O)Ra, —Rb—N(Ra)S(O)tR a (where t is 1 or 2), —Rb—S(O)tORa(where t is 1 or 2) and —Rb—S(O)tN(Ra)2(where t is 1 or 2), where each Rais independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each Rbis independently a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain, and Rcis a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain, and where each of the above substituents is unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“N-heterocyclyl” or “N-attached heterocyclyl” refers to a heterocyclyl radical as defined above containing at least one nitrogen and where the point of attachment of the heterocyclyl radical to the rest of the molecule is through a nitrogen atom in the heterocyclyl radical. An N-heterocyclyl radical is optionally substituted as described above for heterocyclyl radicals. Examples of such N-heterocyclyl radicals include, but are not limited to, 1-morpholinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, and imidazolidinyl.

“C-heterocyclyl” or “C-attached heterocyclyl” refers to a heterocyclyl radical as defined above containing at least one heteroatom and where the point of attachment of the heterocyclyl radical to the rest of the molecule is through a carbon atom in the heterocyclyl radical. A C-heterocyclyl radical is optionally substituted as described above for heterocyclyl radicals. Examples of such C-heterocyclyl radicals include, but are not limited to, 2-morpholinyl, 2- or 3- or 4-piperidinyl, 2-piperazinyl, 2- or 3-pyrrolidinyl, and the like.

“Heterocyclylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —Rc-heterocyclyl where Rcis an alkylene chain as defined above. If the heterocyclyl is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclyl, the heterocyclyl is optionally attached to the alkyl radical at the nitrogen atom. The alkylene chain of the heterocyclylalkyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above for an alkylene chain. The heterocyclyl part of the heterocyclylalkyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above for a heterocyclyl group.

“N-heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl radical as defined above containing at least one nitrogen and where the point of attachment of the heteroaryl radical to the rest of the molecule is through a nitrogen atom in the heteroaryl radical. An N-heteroaryl radical is optionally substituted as described above for heteroaryl radicals.

“C-heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl radical as defined above and where the point of attachment of the heteroaryl radical to the rest of the molecule is through a carbon atom in the heteroaryl radical. A C-heteroaryl radical is optionally substituted as described above for heteroaryl radicals.

“Heteroarylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —Rc-heteroaryl, where Rcis an alkylene chain as defined above. If the heteroaryl is a nitrogen-containing heteroaryl, the heteroaryl is optionally attached to the alkyl radical at the nitrogen atom. The alkylene chain of the heteroarylalkyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above for an alkylene chain. The heteroaryl part of the heteroarylalkyl radical is optionally substituted as defined above for a heteroaryl group.

The compounds, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)- or, as (D)- or (L)- for amino acids. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E (or trans) and Z (cis) geometric isomers. Likewise, all possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms, and all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

A “tautomer” refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule to another atom of the same molecule. The compounds presented herein may exist as tautomers. Tautomers are compounds that are interconvertible by migration of a hydrogen atom, accompanied by a switch of a single bond and adjacent double bond. In solutions where tautomerization is possible, a chemical equilibrium of the tautomers will exist. The exact ratio of the tautomers depends on several factors, including temperature, solvent, and pH. Some examples of tautomeric pairs include:

“Optional” or “optionally” means that a subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur and that the description includes instances when the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes both acid and base addition salts. A pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any one of the alkoxyphenyl-linked amine derivative compounds described herein is intended to encompass any and all pharmaceutically suitable salt forms. Preferred pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds described herein are pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts and pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts.

“Prodrug” is meant to indicate a compound that may be converted under physiological conditions or by solvolysis to a biologically active compound described herein. Thus, the term “prodrug” refers to a precursor of a biologically active compound that is pharmaceutically acceptable. A prodrug may be inactive when administered to a subject, but is converted in vivo to an active compound, for example, by hydrolysis. The prodrug compound often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility or delayed release in a mammalian organism (see, e.g., Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs (1985), pp. 7-9, 21-24 (Elsevier, Amsterdam).

A discussion of prodrugs is provided in Higuchi, T., et al., “Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems,” A.C.S. Symposium Series, Vol. 14, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, ed. Edward B. Roche, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

The term “prodrug” is also meant to include any covalently bonded carriers, which release the active compound in vivo when such prodrug is administered to a mammalian subject. Prodrugs of an active compound, as described herein, may be prepared by modifying functional groups present in the active compound in such a way that the modifications are cleaved, either in routine manipulation or in vivo, to the parent active compound. Prodrugs include compounds wherein a hydroxy, amino or mercapto group is bonded to any group that, when the prodrug of the active compound is administered to a mammalian subject, cleaves to form a free hydroxy, free amino or free mercapto group, respectively. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, acetate, formate and benzoate derivatives of alcohol or amine functional groups in the active compounds and the like.

Chlorotoxin Variants and Conjugates

The present disclosure provides methods for administering compounds that selectively bind to certain types of breast cancer cells and tissues. For example, the present disclosure provides a method for administering compounds that selectively bind to TNBC cells and tissues. As another example, the present disclosure provides a method for administering compounds that selectively bind to IDC breast cancer cells and tissues. As yet another example, the present disclosure provides a method for administering compounds that selectively bind to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) cells and tissues. In various aspects, these compounds can comprise a peptide portion and a detectable agent conjugated together.

In various aspects of the compounds used in the present disclosure, the peptide portions of the compounds described herein have certain features in common with the native chlorotoxin (CTX) peptide. The native chlorotoxin peptide was originally isolated from the scorpionLeiurus quinquestriatus. Chlorotoxin is a 36 amino acid peptide that selectively binds to cancerous cells. The peptide portions of the present compounds have advantageously retained at least some of the cancer-cell binding activity of chlorotoxin. The cancer-cell binding activity of chlorotoxin provides certain advantages for the detection and treatment of cancer because it facilitates the selective localization of detectable agents and therapeutic agents to the breast cancer cells for the detection and treatment of breast cancer. In certain aspects, peptides used in the present disclosure are conjugated to moieties, such as detectable labels (e.g., dyes or radiolabels) that are detected (e.g., visualized) in a subject. In some aspects, the chlorotoxin and/or chlorotoxin variants are conjugated to detectable labels to enable tracking of the bio-distribution of a conjugated peptide. The fluorescent moiety can be covalently coupled to the chlorotoxin and/or chlorotoxin variants to allow for the visualization of the conjugate by fluorescence imaging, either directly or through a linker as described herein and known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In some aspects, the fluorescent label used has emission characteristics that are desired for a particular application. For example, the fluorescent label is a fluorescent dye that has an emission wavelength maximum from 500 nm to 1100 nm, from 600 nm to 1000 nm, from 800 nm to 1000 nm, from 600 to 800 nm, from 800 nm to 900 nm, from 650 nm to 850 nm, from 650 nm to 800 nm, from 700 nm to 800 nm, from 800 nm to 880 nm, from 810 nm to 875 nm, from 825 nm to 875 nm, or from 790 nm to 840 nm, or from 800 nm to 830 nm. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the various dyes that are used as detectable labels and that have the emission characteristics herein. In addition, excitation spectra can be used to optimize imaging of visualization of the conjugate. The absorption spectrum of a fluorophore can determine the wavelengths of light energy that excites the molecule to produce its fluorescence. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the range of illumination wavelengths used to excite a molecule can include light energies over a broad range of wavelengths or over a narrow range of wavelengths within the absorption spectra of the fluorophore molecule. The emission spectrum is the spectrum of light wavelengths that are given off (emitted) from the fluorophore molecule after excitation. With respect to the excitation light, depending on the environment that the fluorophore molecule is in (e.g., surgical bed, tumor tissue, solution, and the like), the fluorophore molecule has an optimal excitation spectrum at around 785 nm (e.g., from 770 nm to 795 nm), for example, from 770 nm to 800 nm, from 775 nm to 795 nm, from 780 nm to 790 nm, from 775 nm to 780 nm, from 780 nm to 785 nm, from 780 nm to 795 nm, from 785 nm to 790 nm, from 790 nm to 795 nm, from 795 nm to 800 nm, from 800 nm to 805 nm, or from 805 nm to 810 nm. In addition the fluorophore is a fluorescent dye that has an optimal excitation spectrum at 750 nm, 755 nm, 760 nm, 765 nm, 770 nm, 775 nm, 780 nm, 785 nm, 790 nm, 795 nm, 800 nm, 805 nm, or 810 nm, or any of the foregoing+/−3 nm, +/−2 nm, or +/−1 nm. In some embodiments, depending on the environment that the fluorophore molecule is in (e.g., surgical bed, tumor tissue, solution, and the like), the fluorophore molecule has an optimal excitation spectrum) from 600 nm to 900 nm. Some other exemplary dyes used in the present disclosure can include near-infrared dyes, such as, but not limited to, DyLight-680, DyLight-750, VivoTag-750, DyLight-800, IRDye-800, VivoTag-680, Cy5.5, or indocyanine green (ICG). In some aspects, near infrared dyes often include cyanine dyes. Additional non-limiting examples of fluorescent dyes for use as a conjugating molecule in the present disclosure can include acradine orange or yellow, Alexa Fluors and any derivative thereof, 7-actinomycin D, 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid, ATTO dye and any derivative thereof, auramine-rhodamine stain and any derivative thereof, bensantrhone, bimane, 9-10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)naththacene, bisbenzimide, brainbow, calcein, carbodyfluorescein and any derivative thereof, 1-chloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene and any derivative thereof, DAPI, DiOC6, DyLight Fluors and any derivative thereof, epicocconone, ethidium bromide, FlAsH-EDT2, Fluo dye and any derivative thereof, FluoProbe and any derivative thereof, Fluorescein and any derivative thereof, Fura and any derivative thereof, GelGreen and any derivative thereof, GelRed and any derivative thereof, fluorescent proteins and any derivative thereof, m isoform proteins and any derivative thereof such as for example mCherry, hetamethine dye and any derivative thereof, hoeschst stain, iminocoumarin, indian yellow, indo-1 and any derivative thereof, laurdan, lucifer yellow and any derivative thereof, luciferin and any derivative thereof, luciferase and any derivative thereof, mercocyanine and any derivative thereof, nile dyes and any derivative thereof, perylene, phloxine, phyco dye and any derivative thereof, propium iodide, pyranine, rhodamine and any derivative thereof, ribogreen, RoGFP, rubrene, stilbene and any derivative thereof, sulforhodamine and any derivative thereof, SYBR and any derivative thereof, synapto-pHluorin, tetraphenyl butadiene, tetrasodium tris, Texas Red, Titan Yellow, TSQ, umbelliferone, violanthrone, yellow fluroescent protein, YOYO-1 and ZW800. Other suitable fluorescent dyes include, but are not limited to, fluorescein and fluorescein dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanine or FITC, naphthofluorescein, 4′,5′-dichloro-2′,7′-dimethoxyfluorescein, 6-carboxyfluorescein or FAM, etc.), carbocyanine, merocyanine, styryl dyes, oxonol dyes, phycoerythrin, erythrosin, eosin, rhodamine dyes (e.g., carboxytetramethyl-rhodamine or TAMRA, carboxyrhodamine 6G, carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), lissamine rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G, rhodamine Green, rhodamine Red, tetramethylrhodamine (TMR), etc.), coumarin and coumarin dyes (e.g., methoxycoumarin, dialkylaminocoumarin, hydroxycoumarin, aminomethylcoumarin (AMCA), etc.), Oregon Green Dyes (e.g., Oregon Green 488, Oregon Green 500, Oregon Green 514, etc.), Texas Red, Texas Red-X, SPECTRUM RED, SPECTRUM GREEN, cyanine dyes (e.g., CY-3, Cy-5, CY-3.5, CY-5.5, etc.), ALEXA FLUOR dyes (e.g., ALEXA FLUOR 350, ALEXA FLUOR 488, ALEXA FLUOR 532, ALEXA FLUOR 546, ALEXA FLUOR 568, ALEXA FLUOR 594, ALEXA FLUOR 633, ALEXA FLUOR 660, ALEXA FLUOR 680, etc.), BODIPY dyes (e.g., BODIPY FL, BODIPY R6G, BODIPY TMR, BODIPY TR, BODIPY 530/550, BODIPY 558/568, BODIPY 564/570, BODIPY 576/589, BODIPY 581/591, BODIPY 630/650, BODIPY 650/665, etc.), IRDyes (e.g., IRD40, IRD 700, IRD 800, etc.), and the like. In some aspects, conjugates of the present disclosure comprise other dyes, including but not limited to those provided below in TABLE 1. Regarding TABLE 1, the peak absorption and emission values for a given fluorophore can vary depending on the environment (e.g. solution, tissue, etc.) that the fluorophore is present in as well as the concentration of fluorophore or fluorophore conjugate utilized.

In some other aspects, the conjugate compounds used include a chemiluminescent compound, colloidal metal, luminescent compound, phosphoresecent compound, enzyme, radioisotope, or paramagnetic labels.

In certain aspects, the conjugates used in the present disclosure can be conjugated to radioactive isotopes instead of or in addition to other types of detectable agents. Certain isotopes suitable for use in the present compounds can include, but are not limited to, iodine-131, iodine-125, bismuth-212, bismuth-213, lutetium-177, rhenium-186, rhenium-188, yttrium-90, astatine-211, phosphorus-32 and/or samarium-153. In some aspects, the conjugates of the present disclosure contain one or more atoms having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature, including but not limited to hydrogen, carbon, fluorine, phosphorous, copper, gallium, yttrium, technetium, indium, iodine, rhenium, thallium, bismuth, astatine, samarium, and lutetium (for example,3H,3H,13C,14C,18F,32P,35S,64Cu,67Ga,90Y,99MTc,111In,125I,123I,131I,135I,186Re,187Re,201Tl,212Bi,211At,153Sm and/or177Lu). In other aspects, the conjugates of the present disclosure are labeled with a paramagnetic metal ion that is a good contrast enhancer in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Examples of such paramagnetic metal ions include, but are not limited to, gadolinium III (Gd3+), chromium 111 (Cr3+), dysprosium III (Dy3+), iron 111 (Fe3+), manganese II (Mn2+), and ytterbium III (Yb3+). In certain embodiments, the labeling moiety comprises gadolinium III (Gd3+).

In some aspects, the conjugates used in the present disclosure can be conjugated to biotin. In addition of extension of half-life, biotin can also act as an affinity handle for retrieval of the peptides from tissues or other locations. In one aspect, the conjugates are conjugated, e.g., to a biotinidase resistant biotin with a PEG linker (e.g., NHS-dPEG4-Biotinidase resistant biotin). In some aspects, fluorescent biotin conjugates that can act both as a detectable label and an affinity handle are used. Non-limiting examples of commercially available fluorescent biotin conjugates can include Atto 425-Biotin, Atto 488-Biotin, Atto 520-Biotin, Atto-550 Biotin, Atto 565-Biotin, Atto 590-Biotin, Atto 610-Biotin, Atto 620-Biotin, Atto 655-Biotin, Atto 680-Biotin, Atto 700-Biotin, Atto 725-Biotin, Atto 740-Biotin, fluorescein biotin, biotin-4-fluorescein, biotin-(5-fluorescein) conjugate, and biotin-B-phycoerythrin, alexa fluor 488 biocytin, alexa flour 546, alexa fluor 549, lucifer yellow cadaverine biotin-X, Lucifer yellow biocytin, Oregon green 488 biocytin, biotin-rhodamine, and tetramethylrhodamine biocytin.

As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately,” in reference to a number, is used herein to include numbers that fall within a range of 10%, 5%, or 1% in either direction (greater than or less than) the number unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).

Suitable diagnostic agents can include agents that provide for the detection by fluorescence methods as well as methods other than fluorescence imaging. Other suitable diagnostic agents can include radiolabels (e.g., radio isotopically labeled compounds) such as125I,14C, and31P, among others; and magnetic resonance imaging agents.

In another aspect of the invention, compositions used can include the modified chlorotoxin peptide conjugates as provided. In yet another aspect of the invention, compositions used can include chlorotoxin variants or cholorotoxin peptide variants as discussed herein. The composition used can include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent for delivery of the modified chlorotoxin peptide conjugate. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents can include saline or dextrose for injection.

In various aspects, the presently described compounds used can further comprise a detectable label, which can be used for the detection of the peptide-label conjugate and the cancerous cells to which they are bound.

In various aspects, compounds used in the present disclosure can have the structure of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R14is hydrogen or C1-C6alkylene, -(L5)-aryl, -(L5)-aryl-A5, -(L5)-heteroaryl, -(L5)-heteroaryl-A5, —NR17R18, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

x is 0 or 1; and

one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof and the others of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5are each independently absent, hydrogen, —COOH, or sulfonate.

In various aspects, the presently described compounds used can further comprise a detectable label, which can be used for the detection of the peptide-label conjugate and the cancerous cells to which they are bound.

In various aspects, compounds used in the present disclosure have the structure of Formula (II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R14is hydrogen or C1-C6alkylene, -(L5)-aryl, -(L5)-aryl-A5, -(L5)-heteroaryl, -(L5)-heteroaryl-A5, —NR17R18, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R21and R22are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, sulfonate, or R21and R22are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered aryl;

R23and R24are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, sulfonate, or R23and R24are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered aryl;

x is 0 or 1; and

one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof and the others of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5are each independently absent, hydrogen, —COOH, or sulfonate.

In some aspects, the compounds used in the present disclosure have a structure of Formula (III), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

In certain aspects, the present compounds have a structure of Formula (IV), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R14is hydrogen or C1-C6alkylene, -(L5)-aryl, -(L5)-aryl-R21, -(L5)-heteroaryl, -(L5)-heteroaryl-R21, —NR17R18, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

q is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and

A4is a polypeptide having at least 80% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In other aspects, compounds used in the present disclosure have a structure of Formula (V), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R14is hydrogen or C1-C6alkylene, -(L5)-aryl, -(L5)-heteroaryl, —NR17R18, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

x is 0 or 1; and

A1is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In other aspects, compounds used in the present disclosure have a structure of Formula (VI), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R14is hydrogen or C1-C6alkylene, -(L5)-aryl, -(L5)-heteroaryl, —NR17R18, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

x is 0 or 1; and

A2is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In some aspects, compounds used in the present disclosure have a structure of Formula (VII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R14is hydrogen or C1-C6alkylene, -(L5)-aryl, -(L5)-heteroaryl, —NR17R18, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

x is 0 or 1;

In additional aspects, compounds used in the present disclosure have a structure Formula (VIII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

R12and R13are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or R12and R13are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R19and R20are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, R14and R19are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R14and R20are joined together along with the other atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

x is 0 or 1;

A5is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In certain aspects, R12and R13join together along with the atoms to which they are attached to form a six-membered carbocyclic ring. In other aspects, R12and R13join together along with the atoms to which they are attached to form a five-membered carbocyclic ring. In certain aspects, R14and R19join together along with the atoms to which they are attached to form a six-membered carbocyclic ring. In some aspects, R14and R20join together along with the atoms to which they are attached to form a six-membered carbocyclic ring. In certain aspects, L1is C3-C6alkylene. In other aspects, L1is C3-C5alkylene. In still other aspects, L1is propylene. In still other aspects, L1is butylene. In other aspects, L1is pentylene. In some aspects, L2is C3-C6alkylene. In other aspects, L2is propylene. In still other aspects, L2is butylene. In other aspects, L2is pentylene. In some aspects, R9is sulfonate. In other aspects, R9is hydrogen. In some aspects, R14is hydrogen. In other aspects, R14is -(L5)-aryl. In still other aspects, R14is -(L5)-aryl-A5.

In some aspects, p is 1. In certain aspects, q is 1.

In some aspects, the compound used has the structure of any one of Formulas (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), or (XVI):

In some aspects, the compound has the structures of any one of Formulas (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), or (XVI), wherein A4is a polypeptide.

In some aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 87% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In further aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In still further aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 92% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In still further aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In still further aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 97% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In still further aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having 100% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In still further aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having the sequence MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In some aspects, the fragment of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5has a length of at least 25 amino acid residues. In further aspects, the fragment of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5has a length of at least 27 amino acid residues. In still further aspects, the fragment of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5has a length of at least 29 amino acid residues. In still further aspects, the fragment of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5has a length of at least 31 amino acid residues. In still further aspects, the fragment of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5has a length of at least 33 amino acid residues.

In some aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof having the tumor cell binding affinity of native chlorotoxin. In certain aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof having about the same the tumor cell binding affinity of native chlorotoxin. In some aspects, one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5is a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity with MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof having the tumor cell binding affinity of native chlorotoxin wherein one of A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5has a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 485.

In some aspect, the polypeptide contains no lysine residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide used comprises at least one lysine amino acid residue. In certain aspects, the polypeptide comprises a single lysine amino acid residue. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises one, two, or three lysine amino acid residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises a lysine residue at the position corresponding to K-27 of native chlorotoxin. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises a lysine residue at the position corresponding to K-23 of native chlorotoxin. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises a lysine residue at the position corresponding to K-15 of native chlorotoxin.

In some aspects, one or more of the amino acids of the polypeptide used is substituted with a non-naturally occurring amino acid residue. In further aspects the non-naturally occurring amino acid residue is a citrulline amino acid residue. In still further aspects, L3is attached to A4at a citrulline amino acid residue of the polypeptide.

In some aspects, L3is attached to A4at a lysine amino acid residue of the polypeptide. In certain aspects, L3is attached to A4at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. In some aspects, L3is attached to A4at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. In some aspects, the R3is attached to A1at a lysine amino acid residue of the peptide, a citrulline amino acid residue of the polypeptide, the N-terminus of the polypeptide, or the C-terminus of the polypeptide. In some aspects, the R5is attached to A2at a lysine amino acid residue of the polypeptide, a citrulline amino acid residue of the polypeptide, the N-terminus of the polypeptide, or the C-terminus of the polypeptide. In some aspects, the R9is attached to A3at a lysine amino acid residue of the polypeptide, a citrulline amino acid residue of the polypeptide, the N-terminus of the polypeptide, or the C-terminus of the polypeptide. In some aspects, the aryl is attached to A5at a lysine amino acid residue of the polypeptide, a citrulline amino acid residue of the polypeptide, the N-terminus of the polypeptide, or the C-terminus of the polypeptide.

In some aspects, the compound used has the structure of any one of compounds 1 to 60 as found in TABLE 2, in which A is a peptide portion and can comprise any of the peptides described herein, such as any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 485. In other aspects, the compound used has the structure of any one of compounds 1 to 60 as found in TABLE 2, in which A is a peptide fragment and can comprise a fragment of any of the peptides described herein, such as any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 485. In some embodiments, the fragment of the polypeptide has a length of at least 25 residues.

In some aspects, the compound used is conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydroxyethyl starch, polyvinyl alcohol, a water soluble polymer, a zwitterionic water soluble polymer, a water soluble poly(amino acid), an albumin derivative, or a fatty acid.

In some aspects, the polypeptide used has an isoelectric point of from 5.5 to 9.5. In some aspects, the polypeptide has an isoelectric point of from 7.5 to 9.0. In some aspects, the polypeptide has an isoelectric point of from 8.0 to 9.0. In some aspects, the polypeptide has an isoelectric point of from 8.5 to 9.0. In some aspects, the polypeptide is basic and has an isoelectric point of greater than 7.5. In some aspects, the polypeptide has an isoelectric point of about 6.0, about 6.1, about 6.2, about 6.3, about 6.4, about 6.5, about 6.6, about 6.7, about 6.8, about 6.9, about 7.0, about 7.1, about 7.2, about 7.3, about 7.4, about 7.5, about 7.6, about 7.7, about 7.8, about 7.9, about 8.0, about 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4, about 8.5, about 8.6, about 8.7, about 8.8, about 8.9, or about 9.0. In other aspects, the polypeptide comprises an isoelectric point of at least 5.5, at least 6.0, at least 6.5, at least 7.0, at least 7.5, at least 8.0, at least 8.5, at least 9.0, or at least 9.5.

In some aspects, the polypeptide used comprises at least eight cysteine amino acid residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises eight cysteine amino acid residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises four disulfide bonds. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises from six to seven cysteine amino acid residues. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises three disulfide bonds. In some aspects, the polypeptide comprises at least 1 disulfide bond, at least 2 disulfide bonds, at least 3 disulfide bonds, at least 4 disulfide bonds, at least 5 disulfide bonds, or at least 6 disulfide bonds. In some aspects, the spacing between the cysteine amino acid residues in the polypeptide is about the same as in native chlorotoxin. In some aspects, the distribution of charge on the surface of the polypeptide is about the same as in native chlorotoxin.

In some aspects, the N-terminus of the polypeptide is blocked by acetylation or cyclization.

In some aspects, one or more of the methionine amino acid residues used is replaced with an amino acid residue selected from isoleucine, threonine, valine, leucine, serine, glycine, alanine, or a combination thereof. In other aspects, one, two, or three methionine residues of the polypeptide are replaced with other amino acids.

In some aspects, each amino acid of the polypeptide is independently selected as an L- or D-enantiomer.

In some aspects, the compound of the composition used is any suitable compound described herein. In other aspects, the compound of the composition further comprises an agent. In some aspects, the compound comprises a detectable agent. In one embodiment, the polypeptide is conjugated to an agent. In another embodiment, the polypeptide is conjugated to a detectable agent. In some embodiments, a detectable agent is a detectable label. In some embodiments, a detectable agent comprises a dye, a fluorophore, a fluorescent biotin compound, a luminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a radioisotope, a paramagnetic metal ion, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a single lysine residue and the agent is conjugated to the polypeptide at the single lysine residue. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises no lysine residues and the agent is conjugated to the polypeptide at the N-terminus of the polypeptide.

Certain exemplary compounds falling within the scope of these genuses are provided below in TABLE 2 and further described herein, including both the peptide portion (indicated by A) and the detectable label portion.

TABLE 2Compounds According to the Present DisclosureNo.Structure123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960

The peptide portion A in compounds 1-60 can comprise any of the peptides described herein, such as any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 485. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 5 attached at K-27 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 6 attached at K-27 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 8 attached at K-27 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 9 attached at K-27 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 11 attached at K-23 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 12 attached at K-23 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 13 attached at K-15 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 16 attached at K-15 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 20 attached at K-23 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 21 attached at K-23 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO. 22 attached at K-15 to any one of compounds 1-60. In some embodiments, the peptide portion A is SEQ ID NO: 25 attached at K-15 to any one of compounds 1-60.

TABLE 3 below sets forth certain polypeptide sequences for use with the present disclosure. Citrulline is designated as “Cit” in the sequences.

TABLE 3Exemplary Peptide Sequence Suitable for Use in the Compounds of thePresent Disclosure. Cit = Citrulline.SEQ ID NOPolypeptide Sequence1MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR2MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR3MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR4MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR5MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR6MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR7MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR8MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR9MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR10MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR11MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR12MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR13MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR14MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR15MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR16MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR17MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR18MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR19MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR20MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR21MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR22MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR23MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR24MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR25MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR26MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR27MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR28MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR29KCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR30ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR31KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR32MCMPCFTTDHQMAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR33MCMPCFTTDHQMAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR34KCMPCFTTDHQMAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR35ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR36ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR37KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR38MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG39MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG40MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG41MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG42MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG43MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG44MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG45MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG46MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG47MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG48MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG49MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG50MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG51MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG52MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG53MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG54MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG55MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG56MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG57MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG58MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG59MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG60MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG61MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG62MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG63MCMPCFTTDHQMARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG64MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG65MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG66KCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG67ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG68KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG69MCMPCFTTDHQMAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG70MCMPCFTTDHQMAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG((Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG71KCMPCFTTDHQMAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG72ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG73ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG74KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG75MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR76MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR77MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR78MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGVGRGKCYGPQCLCR79MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGVGRGKCYGPQCLCR80MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGVGRGKCYGPQCLCR81MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR82MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR83MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR84MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGKGRGVCYGPQCLCR85MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGKGRGVCYGPQCLCR86MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGKGRGVCYGPQCLCR87MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGVGRGVCYGPQCLCR88MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGVGRGVCYGPQCLCR89MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGVGRGVCYGPQCLCR90MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGRGRGVCYGPQCLCR91MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGRGRGVCYGPQCLCR92MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGVCYGPQCLCR93MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR94MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR95MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR96MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGVGRGRCYGPQCLCR97MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGVGRGRCYGPQCLCR98MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGVGRGRCYGPQCLCR99MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR100MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR101MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR102MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR103KCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR104VCVPCFTTDHQVVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR105KCVPCFTTDHQVVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR106MCMPCFTTDHQMVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR107MCMPCFTTDHQMVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR108KCMPCFTTDHQMVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR109VCVPCFTTDHQVVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR110VCVPCFTTDHQVVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR111KCVPCFTTDHQVVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR112MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG113MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG114MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG115MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGVGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG116MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGVGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG117MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGVGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG118MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG119MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG120MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG121MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGKGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG122MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGKGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG123MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGKGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG124MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGVGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG125MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGVGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG126MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGVGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG127MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGRGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG128MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGRGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG129MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGVCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG130MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG131MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG132MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG133MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGVGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG134MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGVGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG135MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGVGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG136MCMPCFTTDHQMVRKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG137MCMPCFTTDHQMVRVCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG138MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG139MCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG140KCMPCFTTDHQMVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG141VCVPCFTTDHQVVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG142KCVPCFTTDHQVVRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG143MCMPCFTTDHQMVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG144MCMPCFTTDHQMVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG145KCMPCFTTDHQMVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG146VCVPCFTTDHQVVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG147VCVPCFTTDHQVVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG148KCVPCFTTDHQVVR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG149MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR150MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR151MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR152MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGLGRGKCYGPQCLCR153MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGLGRGKCYGPQCLCR154MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGLGRGKCYGPQCLCR155MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR156MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR157MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR158MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGKGRGLCYGPQCLCR159MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGKGRGLCYGPQCLCR160MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGKGRGLCYGPQCLCR161MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGLGRGLCYGPQCLCR162MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGLGRGLCYGPQCLCR163MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGLGRGLCYGPQCLCR164MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGRGRGLCYGPQCLCR165MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGRGRGLCYGPQCLCR166MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGLCYGPQCLCR167MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR168MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR169MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR170MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGLGRGRCYGPQCLCR171MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGLGRGRCYGPQCLCR172MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGLGRGRCYGPQCLCR173MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR174MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR175MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR176MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR177KCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR178LCLPCFTTDHQLLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR179KCLPCFTTDHQLLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR180MCMPCFTTDHQMLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR181MCMPCFTTDHQMLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR182KCMPCFTTDHQMLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR183LCLPCFTTDHQLLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR184LCLPCFTTDHQLLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR185KCLPCFTTDHQLLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR186MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG187MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG188MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG189MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGLGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG190MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGLGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG191MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGLGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG192MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG193MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG194MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG195MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGKGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG196MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGKGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG197MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGKGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG198MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGLGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG199MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGLGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG200MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGLGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG201MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGRGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG202MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGRGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG203MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGLCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG204MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG205MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG206MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG207MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGLGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG208MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGLGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG209MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGLGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG210MCMPCFTTDHQMLRKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG211MCMPCFTTDHQMLRLCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG212MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG213MCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG214KCMPCFTTDHQMLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG215LCLPCFTTDHQLLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG216KCLPCFTTDHQLLRRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG217MCMPCFTTDHQMLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG218MCMPCFTTDHQMLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG219KCMPCFTTDHQMLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG220LCLPCFTTDHQLLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG221LCLPCFTTDHQLLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG222KCLPCFTTDHQLLR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCRGAGAAGG223GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR224GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR225GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR226GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR227GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR228GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR229GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR230GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR231GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR232GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR233GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR234GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR235GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR236GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR237GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR238GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR239GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR240GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR241GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR242GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR243GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR244GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR245GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR246GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR247GCGPCFTTDHQGARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR248GCGPCFTTDHQGARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR249GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR250GCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR251KCGPCFTTDHQGARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR252ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR253KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR254GCGPCFTTDHQGAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR255GCGPCFTTDHQGAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR256KCGPCFTTDHQGAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR257ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR258ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR259KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR260ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR261ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR262ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR263ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR264ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR265ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR266ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR267ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR268ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR269ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR270ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR271ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR272ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR273ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR274ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR275ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR276ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR277ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR278ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR279ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR280ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR281ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR282ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR283ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR284ACAPCFTTDHQAARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR285ACAPCFTTDHQAARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR286ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR287ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR288KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR289ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR290KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR291ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR292ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR293KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR294ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR295ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR296KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR297ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR298ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR299ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR300ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR301ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR302ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR303ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR304ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR305ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR306ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR307ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR308ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR309ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR310ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR311ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR312ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR313ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR314ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR315ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR316ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR317ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR318ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR319ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR320ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR321ICIPCFTTDHQIARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR322ICIPCFTTDHQIARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR323ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR324ICIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR325KCIPCFTTDHQIARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR326ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR327KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR328ICIPCFTTDHQIAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR329ICIPCFTTDHQIAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR330KCIPCFTTDHQIAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR331ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR332ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR333KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR334TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR335TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR336TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR337TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR338TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR339TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR340TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR341TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR342TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR343TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR344TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR345TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR346TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR347TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR348TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR349TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR350TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR351TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR352TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR353TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR354TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR355TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR356TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR357TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR358TCTPCFTTDHQTARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR359TCTPCFTTDHQTARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR360TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR361TCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR362KCTPCFTTDHQTARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR363ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR364KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR365TCTPCFTTDHQTAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR366TCTPCFTTDHQTAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR367KCTPCFTTDHQTAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR368ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR369ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR370KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR371VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR372VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR373VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR374VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR375VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR376VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR377VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR378VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR379VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR380VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR381VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR382VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR383VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR384VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR385VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR386VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR387VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR388VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR389VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR390VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR391VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR392VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR393VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR394VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR395VCVPCFTTDHQVARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR396VCVPCFTTDHQVARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR397VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR398VCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR399KCVPCFTTDHQVARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR400ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR401KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR402VCVPCFTTDHQVAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR403VCVPCFTTDHQVAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR404KCVPCFTTDHQVAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR405ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR406ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR407KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR408LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR409LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR410LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR411LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR412LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR413LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR414LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR415LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR416LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR417LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR418LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR419LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR420LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR421LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR422LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR423LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR424LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR425LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR426LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR427LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR428LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR429LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR430LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR431LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR432LCLPCFTTDHQLARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCGPQCLCR433LCLPCFTTDHQLARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR434LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR435LCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR436KCLPCFTTDHQLARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR437ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR438KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR439LCLPCFTTDHQLAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR440LCLPCFTTDHQLAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR441KCLPCFTTDHQLAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR442ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR443ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR444KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR445SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR446SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR447SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR448SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR449SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR450SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGAGRGKCYGPQCLCR451SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR452SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR453SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR454SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR455SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR456SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGKGRGACYGPQCLCR457SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR458SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR459SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGAGRGACYGPQCLCR460SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR461SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR462SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGRGRGACYGPQCLCR463SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR464SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR465SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGKGRGRCYGPQCLCR466SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR467SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR468SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGAGRGRCYGPQCLCR469SCSPCFTTDHQSARKCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR470SCSPCFTTDHQSARACDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR471SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR472SCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR473KCSPCFTTDHQSARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR474ACAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR475KCAPCFTTDHQAARRCDDCCGGRGRGRCYGPQCLCR476SCSPCFTTDHQSAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR477SCSPCFTTDHQSAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR478KCSPCFTTDHQSAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR479ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRGKCYGPQCLCR480ACAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR481KCAPCFTTDHQAAR(Cit)CDDCCGG(Cit)GRG(Cit)CYGPQCLCR

Chlorotoxin conjugates used in this disclosure can comprise a chlorotoxin and a labeling agent or detectable label. In an embodiment, chlorotoxin is a variant comprising at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence of the native peptide of chlorotoxin or a fragment thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a chlorotoxin having the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a fragment thereof. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARKCDDCCGGKGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a fragment thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a chlorotoxin having the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 80%, identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 83% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In a still further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 86% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 88% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 90% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In a still further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 91% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In a still further embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 94% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides chlorotoxin variants comprising at least 97% identical to the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9) or a fragment thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a chlorotoxin having the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARXCDDCCGGXGRGXCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 482) or a fragment thereof, wherein each X can each independently be any amino acid. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a chlorotoxin having the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARXCDDCCGGXGRGXCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 483) or a fragment thereof, wherein X is selected from K, A and R.

In another embodiment, the cholorotoxin is a chlorotoxin or variant thereof having the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARXCDDCCGGXGRGXCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 484) or a fragment thereof, wherein each X can independently be R or A.

In another embodiment, the cholorotoxin is a chlorotoxin or variant thereof having the following amino acid sequence: MCMPCFTTDHQMARXCDDCCGGXGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 485) or a fragment thereof, wherein each X can independently be R or A.

In still other instances, the variant nucleic acid molecules of a peptide of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 485 can be identified by either a determination of the sequence identity of the encoded peptide amino acid sequence with the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481, or by a nucleic acid hybridization assay. Such peptide variants can include nucleic acid molecules (1) that remain hybridized with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 (or its complement) under stringent washing conditions, in which the wash stringency is equivalent to 0.5×-2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 55-65° C., and (2) that encode a peptide having at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or greater than 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481. Alternatively, peptide variants of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 can be characterized as nucleic acid molecules (1) that remain hybridized with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 (or its complement) under highly stringent washing conditions, in which the wash stringency is equivalent to 0.1×-0.2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 50-65° C., and (2) that encode a peptide having at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or greater than 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481.

Percent sequence identity is determined by conventional methods. See, for example, Altschul et al.,Bull. Math. Bio.48:603 (1986), and Henikoff and Henikoff,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA89:10915 (1992). Briefly, two amino acid sequences are aligned to optimize the alignment scores using a gap opening penalty of 10, a gap extension penalty of 1, and the “BLOSUM62” scoring matrix of Henikoff and Henikoff (Id.). The sequence identity is then calculated as: ([Total number of identical matches]/[length of the longer sequence plus the number of gaps introduced into the longer sequence in order to align the two sequences])(100).

Additionally, there are many established algorithms available to align two amino acid sequences. For example, the “FASTA” similarity search algorithm of Pearson and Lipman is a suitable protein alignment method for examining the level of sequence identity or homology shared by an amino acid sequence of a peptide disclosed herein and the amino acid sequence of a peptide variant. The FASTA algorithm is described by Pearson and Lipman,Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA85:2444 (1988), and by Pearson,Meth. Enzymol.183:63 (1990). Briefly, FASTA first characterizes sequence similarity by identifying regions shared by the query sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 9) and a test sequence that has either the highest density of identities (if the ktup variable is 1) or pairs of identities (if ktup=2), without considering conservative amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions. The ten regions with the highest density of identities are then rescored by comparing the similarity of all paired amino acids using an amino acid substitution matrix, and the ends of the regions are “trimmed” to include only those residues that contribute to the highest score. If there are several regions with scores greater than the “cutoff” value (calculated by a predetermined formula based upon the length of the sequence and the ktup value), then the trimmed initial regions are examined to determine whether the regions can be joined to form an approximate alignment with gaps. Finally, the highest scoring regions of the two amino acid sequences are aligned using a modification of the Needleman-Wunsch-Sellers algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch,J. Mol. Biol.48:444 (1970);Sellers, Siam J. Appl. Math.26:787 (1974)), which allows for amino acid insertions and deletions. Illustrative parameters for FASTA analysis are: ktup=1, gap opening penalty=10, gap extension penalty=1, and substitution matrix=BLOSUM62. These parameters can be introduced into a FASTA program by modifying the scoring matrix file (“SMATRIX”), as explained in Appendix 2 of Pearson,Meth. Enzymol.183:63 (1990).

FASTA can also be used to determine the sequence identity of nucleic acid molecules using a ratio as disclosed above. For nucleotide sequence comparisons, the ktup value can range between one to six, preferably from three to six, most preferably three, with other parameters set as described above.

Some examples of common amino acids that are a “conservative amino acid substitution” are illustrated by a substitution among amino acids within each of the following groups: (1) glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine, (2) phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, (3) serine and threonine, (4) aspartate and glutamate, (5) glutamine and asparagine, and (6) lysine, arginine and histidine. The BLOSUM62 table is an amino acid substitution matrix derived from about 2,000 local multiple alignments of protein sequence segments, representing highly conserved regions of more than 500 groups of related proteins (Henikoff and Henikoff,Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1992)). Accordingly, the BLOSUM62 substitution frequencies can be used to define conservative amino acid substitutions that may be introduced into the amino acid sequences of the present invention. Although it is possible to design amino acid substitutions based solely upon chemical properties (as discussed above), the language “conservative amino acid substitution” preferably refers to a substitution represented by a BLOSUM62 value of greater than −1. For example, an amino acid substitution is conservative if the substitution is characterized by a BLOSUM62 value of 0, 1, 2, or 3. According to this system, preferred conservative amino acid substitutions are characterized by a BLOSUM62 value of at least 1 (e.g., 1, 2 or 3), while more preferred conservative amino acid substitutions are characterized by a BLOSUM62 value of at least 2 (e.g., 2 or 3).

Determination of amino acid residues that are within regions or domains that are critical to maintaining structural integrity can be determined. Within these regions one can determine specific residues that can be more or less tolerant of change and maintain the overall tertiary structure of the molecule. Methods for analyzing sequence structure include, but are not limited to, alignment of multiple sequences with high amino acid or nucleotide identity and computer analysis using available software (e.g., the Insight II® viewer and homology modeling tools; MSI, San Diego, Calif.), secondary structure propensities, binary patterns, complementary packing and buried polar interactions (Barton, G. J.,Current Opin. Struct. Biol.5:372-6 (1995) and Cordes, M. H. et al.,Current Opin. Struct. Biol.6:3-10 (1996)). In general, when designing modifications to molecules or identifying specific fragments determination of structure can typically be accompanied by evaluating activity of modified molecules.

In another embodiment, the chlorotoxin is Compound 76, which is a chlorotoxin variant comprising the sequence of MCMPCFTTDHQMARRCDDCCGGRGRGKCYGPQCLCR (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein the lysine residue is conjugated to a cyanine fluorescent label. The peptide can be further cross-linked by four disulfide bonds formed among the cysteine residues present in the sequence.

In some aspects, the peptide is a variant of the native peptide of chlorotoxin but retains all eight cysteine residues of the native peptide, enabling cross-linking by up to four disulfide bonds. Conservation of cysteine residues helps to preserve the secondary structure and other features of the native chlorotoxin peptide because of the disulfide bonds that form between the cysteine residues. In some aspects, the chlorotoxin peptide variant retains all eight cysteine residues of the native peptide and has at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity with the native chlorotoxin peptide.

In some aspects, the chlorotoxin peptide variant has eight cysteine residues positioned so that the distances between pairs of cysteines is the same as the distances between pairs of cysteines found in the native peptide, and the chlorotoxin peptide variant has at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity with the native chlorotoxin peptide.

In some aspects, the chlorotoxin peptide variant has eight cysteine residues positioned so that the distances between pairs of cysteines is functionally equivalent or functionally similar to the distances between pairs of cysteines found in the native peptide, and the chlorotoxin peptide variant has at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity with the native chlorotoxin peptide.

In some aspects, the chlorotoxin peptide variant has eight cysteine residues positioned so that the distances between pairs of cysteines allows for secondary structure and isolectric point of the native chlorotoxin peptide to be preserved, and the chlorotoxin peptide variant has at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity with the native chlorotoxin peptide.

In some aspects, the chlorotoxin peptide variant has eight cysteine residues positioned so that the distances between pairs of cysteines is sufficient to allow disulfide bonds to form, and the chlorotoxin peptide variant has at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 86%, 89%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity with the native chlorotoxin peptide.

In some aspects, one or more methionines of the chlorotoxin peptide variant are replaced with other amino acids. In some aspects, one or more methionines of the chlorotoxin peptide variant are replaced with other amino acids selected from glycine, alanine, isoleucine, threonine, valine, leucine, serine or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the chlorotoxin can be a chlorotoxin variant. Chlorotoxin and chlorotoxin variants are further described in PCT Patent Application Publication Numbers WO2006115633 and WO2011142858, which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-X1-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-X2-Gly-Arg-Gly-X3-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 482) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized), wherein X1, X2, and X3can each independently be any amino acid.

In one embodiment, the peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-X1-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-X2-Gly-Arg-Gly-X3-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 483) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized), wherein X1, X2, and X3can each independently be Arg, Ala, or Lys.

In another embodiment, the all peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-X1-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-X2-Gly-Arg-Gly-X3-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 484) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized), wherein X1, X2, and X3can each independently be Arg or Ala.

In another embodiment, the all peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-X1-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-X2-Gly-Arg-Gly-Lys-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 485) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized), wherein X1and X2can each independently be Arg or Ala.

In another embodiment, the peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-Arg-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-Arg-Gly-Arg-Gly-Lys-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 9) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized).

In another embodiment, the peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-Arg-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-Ala-Gly-Arg-Gly-Lys-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 6) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized).

In another embodiment, the peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-Arg-Gly-Arg-Gly-Lys-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 8) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized).

In another embodiment, the peptide can have the following formula: H-Met-Cys-Met-Pro-Cys-Phe-Thr-Thr-Asp-His-Gln-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Cys-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Gly-Gly-Ala-Gly-Arg-Gly-Lys-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Gln-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-OH (SEQ ID NO: 5) acetate salt (disulfide bonds, air oxidized).

In some aspects, the peptides of the present disclosure are directly conjugated to a detectable label, such as a dye, fluorescent moiety or the like such that no additional amino acids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, polymers, organic chains, or the like are added to the chlorotoxin or chlorotoxin variant and/or the dye, fluorescent moiety or the like to comprise the chlorotoxin conjugates described herein. In some other aspects, a linker is used to conjugate the chlorotoxin or chlorotoxin variant is not directly conjugated to a dye, fluorescent moiety or the like such that additional amino acids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids or the like are added to the chlorotoxin or chlorotoxin variant and/or the dye, fluorescent moiety or the like to comprise the chlorotoxin conjugates described herein. A “linker” as used herein refers to at least one compound comprising two functional groups that are capable of reacting specifically with other moieties to form covalent or non-covalent linkages. Such moieties can include, but are not limited to, the side groups on naturally occurring amino acids or non-natural amino acids or peptides which contain such natural or non-natural amino acids. By way of example, a linker has a functional group reactive with a group on a first peptide, and another functional group which is reactive with a group on a second peptide, whereby forming a conjugate that includes the first peptide, the linker and the second peptide. Many procedures and linker molecules for attachment of various compounds to peptides are known. See, e.g., European Patent Application No. 188,256; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,671,958, 4,659,839, 4,414,148, 4,699,784; 4,680,338; and 4,569,789 which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The term “linkage,” as used herein refers to a bond or a chemical moiety formed from a chemical reaction between the functional group of a linker and another molecule. Such bonds can include, but are not limited to, covalent linkages and non-covalent bonds, while such chemical moieties include, but are not limited to, esters, carbonates, imines phosphate esters, hydrazones, acetals, orthoesters, peptide linkages, and oligonucleotide linkages. Hydrolytically stable linkages means that the linkages are substantially stable in water and do not react with water at neutral pH values, including but not limited to, under physiological conditions for an extended period of time, perhaps even indefinitely. Hydrolytically unstable or degradable linkages mean that the linkages are degradable in water or in aqueous solutions, including for example, blood. Enzymatically unstable or degradable linkages mean that the linkage is often degraded by one or more enzymes. By way of example, PEG and related polymers include degradable linkages in the polymer backbone or in the linker group between the polymer backbone and one or more of the terminal functional groups of the polymer molecule. Such degradable linkages can include, but are not limited to, ester linkages formed by the reaction of PEG carboxylic acids or activated PEG carboxylic acids with alcohol groups on a biologically active agent, wherein such ester groups generally hydrolyze under physiological conditions to release the biologically active agent. Other hydrolytically degradable linkages can include but are not limited to carbonate linkages; imine linkages resulted from reaction of an amine and an aldehyde; phosphate ester linkages formed by reacting an alcohol with a phosphate group; hydrazone linkages which are reaction product of a hydrazide and an aldehyde; acetal linkages that are the reaction product of an aldehyde and an alcohol; orthoester linkages that are the reaction product of a formate and an alcohol; peptide linkages formed by an amine group, including but not limited to, at an end of a polymer such as PEG, and a carboxyl group of a peptide; and oligonucleotide linkages formed by a phosphoramidite group, including but not limited to, at the end of a polymer, and a 5′ hydroxyl group of an oligonucleotide.

The conjugates for use in the method described herein can be conjugated by using any art-recognized method forming a complex including covalent, ionic, or hydrogen bonding of the ligand to the imaging agent, either directly or indirectly via a linking group such as a linker. The conjugate can typically be formed by covalent bonding of the ligand to the imaging agent through the formation of amide, ester or imino bonds between acid, aldehyde, hydroxy, amino, or hydrazo groups on the respective components of the complex or, for example, by the formation of disulfide bonds.

In addition, structural modifications of a linker portion of the conjugates are contemplated herein. For example, a number of amino acid substitutions are often made to the linker portion of the conjugate, including but not limited to naturally occurring amino acids, as well as those available from conventional synthetic methods. In one aspect, beta, gamma, and longer chain amino acids are used in place of one or more alpha amino acids. In another aspect, the stereochemistry of the chiral centers found in such molecules is selected to form various mixture of optical purity of the entire molecule, or only of a subset of the chiral centers present. In another aspect, the length of the peptide chain included in the linker is shortened or lengthened, either by changing the number of amino acids included therein, or by including more or fewer beta, gamma, or longer chain amino acids. In another aspect, the selection of amino acid side chains in the peptide portion is made to increase or decrease the relative hydrophilicity of the linker portion specifically or of the overall molecule generally.

Similarly, the length and shape of other chemical fragments of the linkers described herein can often be modified. In some aspects, the linker includes an alkylene chain. The alkylene chain can often vary in length, or can include branched groups, or can include a cyclic portion, which can be in line or spiro relative to the allylene chain. In another aspect, where the linker includes a beta thiol releasable fragment, it is appreciated that other intervening groups connecting the thiol end to the hydroxy or carbonate end are used in place of the ethylene bridge, such as but not limited to optionally substituted benzyl groups, where the hydroxy end is connected at the benzyl carbon and the thiol end is connected through the ortho or para phenyl position, and vice versa.

Direct attachment can be achieved by covalent attachment of a peptide to another molecule. For example, the peptide is attached to a terminus of the amino acid sequence of a larger polypeptide or peptide molecule, or could be attached to a side chain, such as the side chain of a lysine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, a non-natural amino acid residue, or glutamic acid residue. The attachment can be via an amide bond, an ester bond, an ether bond, a carbamate bond, a carbon-nitrogen bond, a triazole, a macrocycle, an oxime bond, a hydrazone bond, a carbon-carbon single double or triple bond, a disulfide bond, or a thioether bond. In some embodiments, similar regions of the disclosed peptide(s) itself (such as a terminus of the amino acid sequence, an amino acid side chain, such as the side chain of a lysine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, a non-natural amino acid residue, or glutamic acid residue, via an amide bond, an ester bond, an ether bond, a carbamate bond, a carbon-nitrogen bond, a triazole, a macrocycle, an oxime bond, a hydrazone bond, a carbon-carbon single double or triple bond, a disulfide bond, or a thioether bond, or linker as described herein) may be used to link other molecules.

Attachment via a linker can involve incorporation of a linker moiety between the other molecule and the peptide. The peptide and the other molecule can both be covalently attached to the linker. The linker can be cleavable, non-cleavable, self-immolating, hydrophilic, or hydrophobic. The linker can have at least two functional groups, one bonded to the other molecule, one bonded to the peptide, and a linking portion between the two functional groups. The use of a cleavable linker can permit release of the conjugated moiety (e.g., a detectable agent or a therapeutic agent) from the peptide, e.g., after targeting to a tissue of interest. The cleavable linker can comprise a cleavage site for matrix metalloproteinases, thrombin, cathepsins, or beta-glucuronidase. In other aspects, the linker can be a hydrolytically labile linker. A hydrolytically labile linker, (amongst other cleavable linkers described herein) can be advantageous in terms of releasing a fluorophore molecule or other detectable or therapeutic agents from the peptide. For example, an agent (e.g., a detectable agent or a therapeutic agent) in a conjugate form with the peptide may not be active, but upon release from the conjugate after targeting to the cartilage, the agent can be active. In some cases the linker can be enzyme cleavable, e.g., a valine-citrulline linker. Alternatively or in combination, the linker can be cleavable by other mechanisms, such as via pH, reduction, or hydrolysis. Other cleavable linkers can include an ester bond using standard 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC)-, dicylcohexylcarbodiimide (DCC)-, thionyl chloride-, or phosphorous chloride-based bioconjugation chemistries. These linkers can be cleaved by esterases, MMP, cathepsin B, a protease, or thrombin. In still other aspects, the peptide can be linked to the detectable agent via a noncleavable linker.

Non-limiting examples of the functional groups for attachment can include functional groups capable of forming, for example, an amide bond, an ester bond, an ether bond, a carbonate bond, a carbamate bond, or a thioether bond. Non-limiting examples of functional groups capable of forming such bonds can include amino groups; carboxyl groups; hydroxyl groups; aldehyde groups; azide groups; alkyne and alkene groups; ketones; hydrazides; acid halides such as acid fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and iodides; acid anhydrides, including symmetrical, mixed, and cyclic anhydrides; carbonates; carbonyl functionalities bonded to leaving groups such as cyano, succinimidyl, and N-hydroxysuccinimidyl; hydroxyl groups; sulfhydryl groups; and molecules possessing, for example, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, allylic, or benzylic leaving groups, such as halides, mesylates, tosylates, triflates, epoxides, phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and besylates.

Non-limiting examples of linkers can include:

wherein each n is independently 0 to about 1,000; 1 to about 1,000; 0 to about 500; 1 to about 500; 0 to about 250; 1 to about 250; 0 to about 200; 1 to about 200; 0 to about 150; 1 to about 150; 0 to about 100; 1 to about 100; 0 to about 50; 1 to about 50; 0 to about 40; 1 to about 40; 0 to about 30; 1 to about 30; 0 to about 25; 1 to about 25; 0 to about 20; 1 to about 20; 0 to about 15; 1 to about 15; 0 to about 10; 1 to about 10; 0 to about 5; or 1 to about 5. In some embodiments, each n is independently 0, about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, about 39, about 40, about 41, about 42, about 43, about 44, about 45, about 46, about 47, about 48, about 49, or about 50. In some embodiments, m is 1 to about 1,000; 1 to about 500; 1 to about 250; 1 to about 200; 1 to about 150; 1 to about 100; 1 to about 50; 1 to about 40; 1 to about 30; 1 to about 25; 1 to about 20; 1 to about 15; 1 to about 10; or 1 to about 5. In some embodiments, m is 0, about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, 9, at 39, about 40, about 41, about 42, about 43, about 44, about 45, about 46, about 47, about 48, about 49, or about 50.
Formulations of Chlorotoxin Conjugates

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising the above-described compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some aspects, the composition is formulated for parenteral administration. In further aspects, the composition is formulated for intravenous administration, intramuscular administration, subcutaneous administration, intratumor administration, or a combination thereof.

Certain methods described herein comprise administering to the subject an intravenous pharmaceutical composition comprising a chlorotoxin conjugate, for example, as described herein. Intravenous pharmaceutical compositions of chlorotoxin conjugates can include any formulation suitable for administration to a subject via any intravenous method, including a bolus, a slow-bolus, an infusion which occurs over time, or any other intravenous method known in the art, as discussed further herein. “Product” or “dosage form” as used herein refers to any solid, semi-solid, lyophilized, aqueous, liquid or frozen formulation or preparation used for administration. Upon administration, the rate of release of an active moiety from a product can often be greatly influenced by the excipients and/or product characteristics which make up the product itself. For example, an enteric coat on a tablet is designed to separate that tablet's contents from the stomach contents to prevent, for example, degradation of the stomach which often induces gastrointestinal discomfort or injury. According to the currently accepted conventional understanding, systemic exposure of the active moiety can be relatively insensitive to the small formulation changes.

As used herein “pharmaceutically acceptable” or “pharmacologically acceptable” includes molecular entities and compositions that do not produce an adverse, allergic or other untoward reaction when administered to a subject, as appropriate. “Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutical active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can often also be incorporated into the compositions.

In various aspects, the present compositions comprise a concentration of the compound as an active pharmaceutical ingredient having a concentration from 0.1 mg/mL to 100 mg/mL. In some aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 0.1 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 15 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 30 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 40 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 60 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 70 mg/mL, from 0.1 mg/mL to 80 mg/mL, or from 0.1 mg/mL to 90 mg/mL. In further aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 1 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL. In still other aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 4 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. In additional aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 5 mg/mL to 8 mg/mL. In yet further aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 5 mg/mL to 6 mg/mL. In other aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 15 mg/mL to 35 mg/mL. In still other aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 15 mg/mL to 25 mg/mL. In yet other aspects, the concentration of the compound is from 15 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL, from 15 mg/mL to 60 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL to 70 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL to 80 mg/mL, or 15 mg/mL to 90 mg/mL.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier has a pH of about 6.0, about 6.1, about 6.2, about 6.3, about 6.4, about 6.5, about 6.6, about 6.7, about 6.8, about 6.9, about 7.0, about 7.1, about 7.2, about 7.3, about 7.4, about 7.5, about 7.6, about 7.7, about 7.8, about 7.9, or about 8.0. In still other embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier has a pH within a range from about 6.0 to about 7.5. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier has a pH within a range from about 5.0 to about 9.0.

In some embodiments, the composition has a pH of about 6.0, about 6.1, about 6.2, about 6.3, about 6.4, about 6.5, about 6.6, about 6.7, about 6.8, about 6.9, about 7.0, about 7.1, about 7.2, about 7.3, about 7.4, about 7.5, about 7.6, about 7.7, about 7.8, about 7.9, or about 8.0. In still other embodiments, the composition has a pH within a range from about 6.0 to about 7.5. In other embodiments, the composition has a pH within a range from about 5.0 to about 9.0.

In some aspects, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises tris, D-mannitol, L-histidine, L-methionine, polysorbate 20, or a combination thereof. For example, in some aspects, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises tris and D-mannitol. In some aspects, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine and D-mannitol. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine and D-mannitol with polysorbate 20. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, and L-methionine.

In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, polysorbate 20, and a pH of about 6.8. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, polysorbate 20, and a pH within a range of about 6 to about 7.5. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, polysorbate 20, and a pH within a range of about 5 to about 9. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, and a pH of about 6.8. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, and a pH within a range of about 6 to about 7.5. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, and a pH within a range of about 5 to about 9. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, polysorbate 20, trehalose, and a pH of about 6.8. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, polysorbate 20, trehalose, and a pH within a range of about 6 to about 7.5. In some aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises L-histidine, D-mannitol, polysorbate 20, trehalose, and a pH within a range of about 5 to about 9.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a chlorotoxin conjugate can be formulated according to known methods to prepare pharmaceutically useful compositions, for example, as found in “Excipient Selection in Parenteral Formulation Development” Pramanick et. al., Pharma Times, Vol. 45, No. 3, March 2013, incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. In some aspects, the chlorotoxin conjugate is combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A composition is said to be a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier if its administration is tolerated by a recipient patient. Sterile phosphate-buffered saline is one example of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Other suitable carriers are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

Formulations for administration of chlorotoxin conjugates are typically provided but are not limited to as liquid, solid or semi-solid products or dosage forms, exemplified by tablets, capsules, pellets, a powder or a lyophilized product. In some aspects, the chlorotoxin conjugate is formulated to comprise no additional materials except for a pharmaceutical carrier. In some other aspects, the chlorotoxin conjugate is formulated such that it comprises a core “matrix material” which encapsulates, binds to, coats or is adjacent to the chlorotoxin conjugate. In some other aspects, the chlorotoxin conjugate and matrix material further comprises a protective coatings. Various formulations are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

Suitable excipients for use with chlorotoxin conjugates are often included in formulations for intravenous use, for example, an injection. Injections are sterile, pyrogen-free solutions or dispersions (emulsions or suspensions) of one or more active ingredients in a suitable vehicle or carrier. Injections that are dispersions should remain sufficiently stable so that, after shaking, a homogeneous dose can be withdrawn. More specifically, formulations which can include chlorotoxin conjugates and one or more but not limited to suitable excipients, exemplified by matrix materials, binders, lubricants, glidants or disintegrants which aid in modulating the PK profile of administered chlorotoxin conjugates are preferred. In some aspects, compositions comprise chlorotoxin conjugates in combination with one or more suitable excipients and one or more specific product characteristics (such as dissolution or water content) which result in improved pharmacokinetic profiles of chlorotoxin conjugates in vivo. Thus, the in vivo performance of chlorotoxin conjugates dosage forms/products included herein can be based upon the composition of the excipients added during manufacturing and/or the final product characteristics generated through specific processing parameters and methods. Other excipients are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

Suitable carriers for intravenous administration can include, for example, but are not limited to, physiological saline or phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Tris, and solutions containing solubilizing agents, such as glucose, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, additional agents such as histidine, dextrose, mannitol and mixtures thereof. In some aspects, carriers for intravenous administration include a mixture of histidine and dextrose, Tris and dextrose or Tris and mannitol. Other carriers are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

The formulation can often include an aqueous vehicle. Aqueous vehicles include, by way of example and without limitation, sodium chloride solution, Ringers solution, isotonic dextrose solution, sterile water solution, dextrose and lactated Ringers solution. Nonaqueous vehicles can include, by way of example and without limitation, fixed oils of vegetable origin, cottonseed oil, corn oil, sesame oil and peanut oil, benzyl benzoate, castor oil, N,N-dimethylacetamide, ethanol, dehydrated ethanol, glycerin, glycerol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and any derivative thereof, propylene glycol, safflower oil and soybean oil. Other vehicles are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

In some aspects, the composition the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises an osmolyte. In some aspects, the osmolyte comprises a sugar, a sugar alcohol, or a combination thereof.

In certain aspects, the composition comprises a sugar alcohol. In certain aspects, the composition comprises a sugar alcohol selected from sorbitol, inositol, mannitol, xylitol, glycerol, or a combination thereof. In further aspects, the sugar alcohol comprises mannitol. In certain aspects, the composition comprises from about 2% to about 20% (wt/vol %) sugar alcohol. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 2% to about 10% (wt/vol %) sugar alcohol. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 3% to about 10% (wt/vol %) sugar alcohol. In further aspects, the composition comprises about 5% (wt/vol %) sugar alcohol. In certain aspects, the composition comprises from about 2% to about 20% (wt/vol %) mannitol. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 2% to about 10% (wt/vol %) mannitol. In further aspects, the composition comprises about 5% (wt/vol %) mannitol.

In other aspects, the composition comprises a sugar. In certain aspects, the sugar is selected from trehalose, lactose, sucrose, glucose, galactose, maltose, mannose, fructose, dextrose, or a combination thereof. In additional aspects, the sugar is selected from trehalose, sucrose, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 1% to about 40% (wt/vol %) of sugar. In other aspects, the composition comprises from about 1% to about 20% (wt/vol %) of sugar. In additional aspects, the composition comprises about 2% (wt/vol %) of sugar. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 1% to about 40% (wt/vol %) of trehalose, sucrose, or a combination of trehalose and sucrose. In other aspects, the composition comprises from about 1% to about 20% (wt/vol %) of trehalose, sucrose, or a combination of trehalose and sucrose. In additional aspects, the composition comprises about 2% (wt/vol %) of trehalose, sucrose, or a combination of trehalose and sucrose.

In certain aspects, the composition further comprises an osmolyte selected from glycine, carnitine, ethanolamine, their phosphates, mono sugars, or a combination thereof.

In some aspects, the present compositions are isotonic. In other aspects, the compositions are about isotonic.

In certain aspects, the ionic strength of the composition is less than or equal to 60 mM. In certain aspects, the composition comprises an ionic strength less than or equal to 50 mM. In certain aspects, the ionic strength of the composition is less than or equal to 40 mM. In certain aspects, the ionic strength of the composition is less than or equal to 30 mM. In certain aspects, the ionic strength of the composition is less than or equal to 20 mM. In other aspects, the ionic strength of the composition is less than or equal to 10 mM.

Antimicrobial agents in bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentrations can typically be added to preparations packaged in multiple dose containers which can include, by way of example and without limitation, phenols or cresols, mercurials, benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, methyl and propyl p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride. Other antimicrobial agents are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

In various aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises a buffer. In some aspects, the buffer is selected from tris, HEPES, histidine, ethylene diamine, or a combination thereof. In other aspects, the buffer is selected from tris, histidine, or a combination thereof. In further aspects, the buffer comprises histidine, which is optionally L-histidine. In another aspect, the composition comprises a buffer comprising histidine, tris, HEPES, ethylene diamine, or a combination thereof. In additional aspects, the composition comprises at least 100 mM histidine. In further aspects, the composition comprises at least or equal to 50 mM histidine. In some aspects, the composition comprises at least or equal to 20 mM histidine. In additional aspects, the composition comprises 10 to 100 mM histidine. In other aspects, the composition comprises 10 to 20 mM histidine. In other aspects, the composition comprises 0 to 50 mM hisitidine. In further aspects, the composition comprises at least 100 mM tris. In some aspects, the composition comprises at least or equal to 50 mM tris. In additional aspects, the composition comprises at least or equal to 20 mM tris. In other aspects, the composition comprises 10 to 20 mM tris. In other aspects, the composition comprises 0 to 20 mM tris. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 0 mM to about 50 mM histidine, from about 0 mM to about 20 mM tris, about 20 mM methionine, from about 3% to about 10% (wt/vol %) sugar alcohol, and a pH within a range from about 6 to about 7.5.

In some aspects, the compositions comprise an antioxidant, a free radical scavenger, a quencher, an antioxidant synergist, or a combination thereof.

In some aspects, the antioxidant is selected from methionine, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, or a combination thereof. In other aspects, the antioxidant comprises methionine. In further aspects, the antioxidant is L-methionine. In certain aspects, the compositions comprise at least or equal to 20 mM methionine. In other aspects, the compositions comprise at least or equal to 5 mM methionine. In still other aspects, the compositions comprise at least or equal to 10 mM methionine. In further aspects, the compositions comprise at least or equal to 50 mM methionine. In other aspects, the compositions comprise 10 to 20 mM methionine. In other aspects, the compositions comprise 0 to 50 mM methionine.

In various aspects, the compositions comprise a surfactant. In certain aspects, the surfactant is selected from polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, a pluronic, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate, polyethylene mono-laureate, N-actylglucoside, or a combination thereof. In certain aspects, the surfactant is polysorbate 20. In further aspects, the compositions comprise from 0.0001% to 0.1% (wt/vol %) polysorbate 20. In additional aspects, the compositions comprise cyclodextrin. In further aspects, the cyclodextrin comprises (2-hydroxypropyl)-j-cyclodextrin.

A sequestering or chelating agent of metal ions can include, by way of example and without limitation, calcium disodium EDTA, disodium EDTA, sodium EDTA, calcium versetaminde sodium, calteridol, and DPTA. In some aspects, the present compositions comprise a metal chelator. In certain aspects, the metal chelator is selected from EDTA, deferoxamine mesylate, EGTA, fumaric acid, and malic acid, salts thereof, or combinations thereof. In further aspects, the metal chelator comprises EDTA or salts thereof. In certain aspects, the compositions have an EDTA concentration of about 0.1 mg/ml to about 1.0 mg/ml.

Pharmaceutical carriers can also include, by way of example and without limitation, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol for water miscible vehicles and sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, citric acid or lactic acid. Other pharmaceutical carriers are well-known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

The chlorotoxin conjugates described herein can often be formulated using a variety of parameters, including by way of example and without limitation, pH, molarity, % weight/volume, % volume/volume, and the like. Other factors can be considered in the formulation of, stability of, storage of, shipping of chlorotoxin conjugates can include by way of example and without limitation, the gas environment, container material, container color, cap material, cap color, presence of additional aspects, such as antioxidants, stabilizers, photoprotective compounds, protectants, sugars, ion chelators, ion donors, or the like. Any factor which serves as any one of the above factors known to one of ordinary skill in the art can often be used with the chlorotoxin conjugates described herein but not limited as such.

The preparation of pharmaceutical or pharmacological compositions are known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. General techniques for formulation and administration can be found in “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Twentieth Edition,” Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, Pa. Tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, dragees, gels, slurries, ointments, solutions suppositories, injections, inhalants, and aerosols are examples of such formulations.

The chlorotoxin conjugates can often be stored at various temperatures, including by way of example and without limitation, freezing, for example at about −20° C., about −70° C., about −80° C., about −100° C., about −120° C., about −150° C., about −200° C. or more than about −200° C., cold storage, for example at about 10° C., about 5° C., about 4° C., about 2° C., about 0° C., about −2° C. or more than about −5° C., or any other suitable temperature such that the composition remains stable.

In some aspects, compositions comprising the compounds described herein are stored as lyophilized solids. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides methods for producing the lyophilized composition, the method comprising providing the composition, and lyophilizing the composition, thereby producing the lyophilized composition.

Using lyophilization, it can be possible to store the compounds in a manner that maintains physiological or otherwise optimal pH, isotonicity and stability. Such materials can include pH buffers, preservatives, tonicity adjusting agents, anti-oxidants, other polymers (e.g., viscosity adjusting agents or extenders) and excipients to stabilize the labile protein against the stresses of drying and storage of the dried product. Specific illustrative examples of such additives can include phosphate, citrate, or borate buffers; thimerosal; sorbic acid; methyl or propyl paraben, and chlorobutanol preservatives; sodium chloride: polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone; mannitol, dextrose, dextran, lactose, sucrose, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, and the like. Suitable formulations, known in the art, can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (latest edition), Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa.; Arakawa et al. (1990), supra; Carpenter et al. (1991), supra; and Pikal (1990), supra.

In certain aspects, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises a reconstitution stabilizer. In other aspects, the reconstitution stabilizer comprises a water-soluble polymer. In additional aspects, the water-soluble polymer is selected from a polaxamer, a polyol, a polyethylene glycol, a polyvinylalcohol, a hydroxyethyl starch, dextran, polyvinylpyrrolidene poly(acrylic acid), or a combination thereof.

The term “reconstitution stabilizer” means any excipient which is capable of preventing aggregation of a reconstituted protein in an aqueous medium. Excipients possessing the necessary characteristics for the present invention are well-known in the art and generally function by the mechanisms of charge repulsion, steric hindrance, hydrophobic binding or specific high-affinity binding to the dried protein. Exemplary excipients include various osmolytes, various salts, water soluble synthetic and natural polymers, surfactants, sulfated polysaccharides, carrier proteins, buffers and the like (Manning et al. (1989), Pharmaceutical Research, 6:903-918; and Paborji, et al. (1994), Pharmaceutical Research, 11:764-771).

The present compounds and an effective amount of the reconstitution stabilizer can be admixed under conditions effective to reduce aggregation of present compounds upon reconstitution with the reconstitution medium (e.g., a solvent and optionally other components such as antibacterials). The reconstitution stabilizer can be admixed with the compounds at a suitable time before, during or after reconstitution. In one aspect, the reconstitution stabilizer will be pre-dissolved in the reconstitution medium. The compound can be reconstituted at a temperature which is above the freezing point of the reconstitution medium, but which will not degrade the compound and which will not be deleterious to the reconstitution stabilizer. In one aspect, the temperature will be between about 2° C. to 50° C. The time taken to mix the reconstitution stabilizer and the dried compound should be for a sufficient period to prepare a suitable admixture. In one aspect, the mixing will be for between about 1 to 30 minutes. Generally, the reconstituted formulation can be used soon after reconstitution.

In certain aspects, the present compositions are reconstituted from a lyophilized form. In other aspects, the present disclosure provides methods for producing the reconstituted composition, the method comprising providing a lyophilized composition; and reconstituting the composition with a solution to produce a reconstituted composition. In various aspects, the reconstituting solution comprises water. In some aspects, the reconstituting solution is selected from sterile water, physiological saline solution, glucose solution or other aqueous solvents (e.g., alcohols such as ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, butyl alcohol), or a combination thereof, which are capable of dissolving the dried composition and compatible with the selected administration route and which does not negatively interfere with the compound and the reconstitution stabilizers employed.

Dosages and Methods of Administration of Chlorotoxin Conjugates

The product or dosage form characteristics which can result from processing methods and/or parameters for generating formulations such as powders, lyophilized compositions, and the like, and can include, but are not limited to, density, water content, friability, disintegration, dissolution profile(s), shape, size, weight, uniformity and composition of the particles. These product characteristics can often be modulated in a number of ways and affect the final in vitro and/or in vivo performance of the formulations. Product or dosage form characteristics can often be a consequence of excipient selection, excipient composition, manufacturing methods applied, or a combination of any of these. The combination of excipients as well as product characteristics (including processing methods or processing parameters) of the final dosage form can ultimately determine the pharmacokinetic profile of the active ingredient in vivo. The administered chlorotoxin conjugate formulations described herein can often be processed or manufactured under specific conditions such as, for example, mixing methods (including sieve size, rpm, and milling), drying time, conditions, environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity and combinations thereof) which themselves can modulate the pharmacokinetic profile of chlorotoxin compositions in vivo (i.e., increase the average Cmaxor AUC). In order to quantitatively compare one formulation to another, one can measure several of these product or dosage form characteristics. This can also necessary when attempting to duplicate multiple batches.

Dissolution and drug release from formulations can depend on many factors including the solubility and concentration of the active ingredient, the nature and composition of the excipients, content uniformity, water content, product shape and size, porosity, disintegration time, and other factors. The release of a drug or active ingredient from a final dosage form in vitro is typically characterized by its dissolution profile under standardized conditions (using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or similar accepted methods for reference) and at the appropriate pH, often a neutral pH. The dissolution profile shows the amount of drug released over time into the test media under specified conditions. Standard conditions make use of buffers at an appropriate pH in order to best mimic the pH of a subject's blood.

In some exemplary aspects, a therapeutically effective dosage is formulated to contain a dose of 1 mg to 200 mg or more for a human. In other aspects, the effective dosage is formulated to contain a dose of 1 mg to 5 mg, of 1 mg to 10 mg, of 1 mg to 20 mg, of 1 mg to 30 mg, of 1 mg to 40 mg, of 1 mg to 50 mg, of 1 mg to 60 mg, of 1 mg to 70 mg, of 1 mg to 80 mg, of 1 mg to 90 mg, of 1 mg to 100 mg, of 1 mg to 120 mg, of 1 mg to 140 mg, of 1 mg to 160 mg, of 1 mg to 180 mg, 3 mg to 5 mg, of 3 mg to 10 mg, of 3 mg to 20 mg, of 3 mg to 30 mg, of 3 mg to 40 mg, of 3 mg to 50 mg, of 3 mg to 60 mg, of 3 mg to 70 mg, of 3 mg to 80 mg, of 3 mg to 90 mg, of 3 mg to 100 mg, of 3 mg to 120 mg, of 3 mg to 140 mg, of 3 mg to 160 mg, of 3 mg to 180 mg, of 3 mg to 200 mg, of 10 mg to 20 mg, of 10 mg to 30 mg, of 10 mg to 40 mg, of 10 mg to 50 mg, of 10 mg to 60 mg, of 10 mg to 70 mg, of 10 mg to 80 mg, of 10 mg to 90 mg, of 10 mg to 100 mg, of 10 mg to 120 mg, of 10 mg to 140 mg, of 10 mg to 160 mg, of 10 mg, to 180 mg, of 10 mg to 200 mg, of 20 mg to 50 mg, of 20 mg to 75 mg, of 20 mg to 100 mg, of 20 mg to 120 mg, of 20 mg, to 140 mg, of 20 mg to 160 mg, of 20 mg to 180 mg, of 20 mg to 200 mg, of 30 mg to 50 mg, of 30 mg to 75 mg, of 30 mg to 100 mg, of 30 mg to 120 mg, of 30 mg to 140 mg, of 30 mg to 160 mg, of 30 mg to 180 mg, of 30 mg to 200 mg, of 50 mg to 60 mg, of 50 mg to 75 mg, of 50 mg to 100 mg, of 50 mg to 120 mg, of 50 mg to 140 mg, of 50 mg to 160 mg, of 50 mg to 180 mg, of 50 mg to 200 mg, of 75 mg to 80 mg, of 75 mg to 90 mg, of 75 mg to 100 mg, of 75 mg to 120 mg, of 75 mg to 140 mg, of 75 mg to 160 mg, of 75 mg to 180 mg, of 75 mg to 200 mg, of 100 mg to 120 mg, of 100 mg to 140 mg, of 100 mg to 160 mg, of 100 mg to 180 mg, of 100 mg to 200 mg, of 120 mg to 140 mg, of 120 mg to 160 mg, of 120 mg to 180 mg, of 120 mg to 200 mg, of 140 mg to 160 mg, of 140 mg to 180 mg, of 140 mg to 200 mg, of 160 mg to 180 mg, of 160 mg to 200 mg, or of 180 mg to 200 mg.

The amount of chlorotoxin conjugate administered to a subject can often be the total about amount listed herein. In some aspects, the amount of chlorotoxin conjugate administered to a subject is often the about per milligram, gram or kilogram of subject weight for each amount listed herein. In other aspects, the amount of chlorotoxin conjugate administered to a subject is often the about per milliliter or liter of fluid volume for each amount listed herein. In yet other aspects, the amount of chlorotoxin conjugate administered to a subject is often the about per square millimeter, square centimeter or square meter of subject surface body area or subject body area for each amount listed herein.

As used herein a “dosage regimen” refers to the protocol used to administer an intravenous pharmaceutical formulation comprising chlorotoxin conjugate to a subject. In some aspects, the dosage regimen comprises a dose amount and dosing interval. In some aspects, the dosage regimen further comprises a dosing duration. As used herein “dosing duration” refers to the period of time over which a dose is administered. Furthermore, the dosage regimen comprises a method of administration. In some aspects, a method of administration comprises a bolus, a slow bolus, or an infusion.

As used herein, a “bolus” may refer to an intravenous injection administered over a short period of time. In one aspect, a bolus is manually administered over a short period of time. In other aspects, a bolus is administered via a pump or other automated mechanism over a short period of time. In some aspects, a bolus is administered over a period of time less than or equal to 5 seconds, less than or equal to 10 seconds, less than or equal to 15 seconds, less than or equal to 20 seconds, less than or equal to 25 seconds, less than or equal to 30 seconds, less than or equal to 35 seconds, less than or equal to 40 seconds, less than or equal to 45 seconds, less than or equal to 50 seconds, less than or equal to 55 seconds, less than or equal to 60 seconds, less than or equal to 65 seconds, less than or equal to 70 seconds, less than or equal to 75 seconds, less than or equal to 80 seconds, less than or equal to 85 seconds, less than or equal to 90 seconds, less than or equal to 95 seconds, less than or equal 100 seconds, less than or equal to 105 seconds, less than or equal to 110 seconds, less than or equal to 115 seconds, or less than or equal to 120 seconds.

As used herein, a “slow bolus” may refer to an intravenous injection administered over longer period of time than a bolus, but a shorter period of time than an infusion. In one aspect, a slow bolus is manually administered over a longer period of time than a bolus, but a shorter period of time than an infusion. In other aspects, a slow bolus is administered via a pump or other automated mechanism over a longer period of time than a bolus, but a shorter period of time than an infusion. In one aspect, a slow bolus is administered over a period of time within a range from about 2 minutes to about 5 minutes. In other aspects, a slow bolus is administered over a period of time within a range from about 2 minutes to about 4.9 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.8 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.8 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.7 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.6 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.5 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.4 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.3 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.4 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.3 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.2 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4.1 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 4 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.9 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.8 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.7 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.6 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.5 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.4 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.3 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.2 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3.1 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 3 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.9 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.8 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.7 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.6 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.5 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.4 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.3 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 2.2 minutes, or about 2 minutes to about 2.1 minutes. In other aspects, a slow bolus is administered over a period of time within the range of about 2.5 minutes to about 3 minutes, about 2.5 minutes to about 3.5 minutes, about 2.5 minutes to about 4 minutes, about 2.5 minutes to about 4.5 minutes, about 2.5 minutes to about 5 minutes, about 3 minutes to about 3.5 minutes, about 3 minutes to about 4 minutes, about 3 minutes to about 4.5 minutes, about 3 minutes about 5 minutes, about 3.5 minutes to about 4 minutes, about 3.5 minutes to about 4.5 minutes, about 3.5 minutes to about 5 minutes, about 4 minutes to about 4.5 minutes, about 4 minutes about 5 minutes, or about 4.5 minutes to about 5 minutes.

In some aspects, the dose of chlorotoxin conjugate is administered to a subject using either a fixed or a scaling dosing scheme. For example, a fixed dosing scheme can include administration of a bolus, a slow bolus or an infusion of chlorotoxin conjugate to a subject via an intravenous administration route wherein the fixed dose is, for example and without limitation, 0.1 mg to 100 mg and does not account or adjust for a subject's age, weight, height, body mass index, metabolism, or the like, or 1 mg to 30 mg and does not account or adjust for a subject's age, weight, height, body mass index, metabolism, or the like. For example, a scaling dosing scheme can include administration of a bolus, a slow bolus or an infusion of chlorotoxin conjugate to a subject via an intravenous administration route wherein the scaled dose is, for example and without limitation, 0.1 mg to 100 mg and accounts or adjusts for a subject's age, weight, height, body mass index, metabolism, or the like, or 1 mg to 30 mg and accounts or adjusts for a subject's age, weight, height, body mass index, metabolism, or the like. In some aspects, the fixed dose and/or the scaled dose are determined for one subject based upon the dose administered to a different subject wherein the subjects are or are not the same species, for example a mouse and a human, a rat and a human, a dog and a human, a monkey and a human, or a non-human primate and a human. Often in a fixed dose, the same dose or about the same dose can be administered to all subjects, for example a mouse and a human, a rat and a human, a dog and a human, a monkey and a human, or a non-human primate and a human. In some aspects, the scaled dose to be administered to a subject is determined from the dose administered to a different subject wherein the subjects are or are not the same species, for example a mouse and a human, a rat and a human, a dog and a human, a monkey and a human, or a non-human primate and a human. The scaled dose can therefore be increased from the dose administered to the mouse, rat, dog, monkey, or non-human primate to the dose administered to the human based upon the difference between the mouse, rat, dog, monkey, or non-human primate and the human, such as subject age, weight, height, body surface area, metabolism, size, physiological influences on pharmacokinetics, or the like. In one aspect, the dose is scaled from a rat to a human.

In some aspects, the compounds and compositions described herein, are used for detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of a cancerous tissue or cancer cell. In some embodiments, the compound binds to a site expressed by the cancerous tissue or cancer cell. In some aspects, the detecting of the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is performed using fluorescence imaging. In some aspects, the cancerous tissue or cancer cell is associated with one or more of DCIS, IDC, LCIS, ILC, or TNBC.

In further aspects, the compounds and compositions described herein, are used for detecting the presence or absence of the compound in a tissue or cell, wherein the presence of the compound in the tissue or cell indicates the presence of a cancerous tissue or cancer cell, and wherein the detecting allows for surgically removing the cancerous tissue or cancer cell from the human subject. In some aspects, the compound is administered at a dosage sufficient to treat breast cancer in the human subject. In some aspects, the compound binds to a site expressed by a cancerous tissue or cancer cell. In some aspects, the breast cancer being treated comprises one or more of DCIS, IDC, LCIS, ILC, or TNBC. Furthermore, the compounds and compositions described herein can be administered to a subject before surgery and/or during surgery, in which the excised tissue from the subject is contacted with compositions of the chlorotoxin conjugates. In some aspects, the compositions of the chlorotoxin conjugates are administered during surgery. In certain aspects, compositions of chlorotoxin conjugates are intravenously administered to a subject about 0.25 hours, about 0.5 hours, about 0.75 hours, about 1 hour, about 1.5 hours, about 2 hours, about 2.5 hours, about 3 hours, about 3.5 hours, about 4 hours, about 4.5 hours, about 5 hours, about 5.5 hours, about 6 hours, about 6.5 hours, about 7 hours, about 7.5 hours, about 8 hours, about 8.5 hours, about 9 hours, about 9.5 hours, about 10 hours, about 10.5 hours, about 11 hours, about 11.5 hours, about 12 hours, about 13 hours, about 14 hours, about 15 hours, about 16 hours, about 17 hours, about 18 hours, about 19 hours, about 20 hours, about 21 hours, about 22 hours, about 23 hours, about 24 hours, about 36 hours, about 48 hours, about 60 hours, or about 72 hours prior to performing surgery on a human subject. In some aspects, compositions of chlorotoxin conjugates are intravenously administered to a subject between 0 and 1 hours, between 1 and 2 hours, between 2 and 3 hours, between 3 and 4 hours, between 4 and 5 hours, between 5 and 6 hours, between 6 and 9 hours, between 9 and 12 hours, between 12 and 24 hours, between 24 and 36 hours, between 36 and 48 hours or between 48 and 72 hours (inclusive) before surgery.

Tissue or fluid samples, such as blood, normal tissue, and tumor tissue, can often be isolated from a subject prior to administration of a chlorotoxin conjugate, sometimes as a baseline reference. Samples can also be isolated from a subject after administration of the compounds of the present disclosure, often less than about 1 minute after, less than about 2 minutes after, less than about 3 minutes after, less than about 4 minutes after, less than about 5 minutes after, less than about 6 minutes after, less than about 7 minutes after, less than about 8 minutes after, less than about 9 minutes after, less than about 10 minutes after, less than about 11 minutes after, less than about 12 minutes after, less than about 13 minutes after, less than about 14 minutes after, less than about 15 minutes after, less than about 20 minutes after, less than about 30 minutes after, less than about 40 minutes after, less than about 50 minutes after, less than about 60 minutes after, less than about 1 hour after, less than about 2 hours after, less than about 3 hours after, less than about 4 hours after, less than about 5 hours after, less than about 6 hours after, less than about 12 hours after, less than about 18 hours after, less than about 24 hours after, less than about 36 hours after, less than about 48 hours after, less than about 72 hours after, less than about 96 hours after, less than about 5 days after, less than about 7 days after, less than about 10 days after, less than about 14 days after, less than about 21 days after, less than about 4 weeks after, less than about 6 weeks after, less than about 8 weeks after, less than about 12 weeks after, less than about 16 weeks after, less than about 20 weeks after or more than 20 weeks after.

Imaging and Surgical Methods

The present invention can provide methods for detection, intraoperative imaging, and resection of some types of breast cancer tumors with a chlorotoxin conjugate. The chlorotoxin can be a targeting agent that directs the conjugate to the type of breast cancer tissue. In one embodiment, the chlorotoxin conjugate of the invention includes one or more labeling agents. In a further embodiment, the labeling agent comprises a fluorescent moiety (e.g., red or near infrared emitting fluorescent moieties) covalently coupled to the chlorotoxin. In another embodiment, the labeling agent comprises a radionuclide. Imaging methods for detection of a certain type of breast cancer foci disclosed herein can be applicable to dog and other animal models of cancer as well as to veterinary practice.

As used herein, the term “red or near infrared emitting fluorescent moiety” refers to a fluorescent moiety having a fluorescence emission maximum greater than about 600 nm.

In certain embodiments of the chlorotoxin conjugate, the fluorescent moieties are derived from fluorescent compounds characterized by emission wavelength maxima greater than about 600 nm to avoid autofluorescence, emission that travels through millimeters to one centimeter of tissue/blood/fluids, emission that is not absorbed by hemoglobin, other blood components, or proteins in human or animal tissue. In some aspects, the emission wavelength maximum is greater than 600 nm, greater than 650 nm, greater than 700 nm, greater than 750 nm, greater than 800 nm, greater than 850 nm, greater than 900 nm, or greater than 950 nm.

The fluorescent moiety can be covalently coupled to the chlorotoxin to allow for the visualization of the conjugate by fluorescence imaging. The fluorescent moiety can be derived from a fluorescent compound. Suitable fluorescent compounds can be those that can be covalently coupled to a chlorotoxin without substantially adversely affecting the targeting and binding function of the chlorotoxin conjugate. Similarly, suitable fluorescent compounds can retain their fluorescent properties after conjugation to the chlorotoxin.

The chlorotoxin conjugates described herein can be used for detection and treatment of certain types of breast cancers, for example imaging, resection of, diagnosis of and treatment of certain types of breast cancer tumors. In some aspects, tumors amenable to detection with a chlorotoxin conjugate of the present disclosure are DCIS, IDC, LCIS, ILC, or TNBC.

Intraoperative resection of tumor types can vary depending on the type of tumor. Intraoperative visualization of solid breast cancer tumors in real-time can enable more complete resection while sparing surrounding normal tissue. Improvement in intraoperative tumor visualization can be of benefit for any resectable solid tumor, as it can enable surgeons to better determine the extent of local invasion as well as the presence of metastatic spread in nearby lymph nodes and fatty tissue. Surgeons who specialize in human breast cancer surgery have indicated that the surgical approach is generally a wide excision with 0.2-1 cm margins on all sides. However, it is difficult for surgeons to obtain wide margins using only white light and preoperative imaging information. In 20-50% of breast cancer surgeries, failure to obtain clean margins leads to second surgeries.

The chlorotoxin conjugates described herein can be used for detection and imaging of tumors that originated in breast tissue and metastasized to other organs or anatomical locations, including but not limited to, lung, brain, colon, rectum, prostate, head, neck, stomach, anus, and/or vaginal tissues, for example. As used herein, the term “metastasis” refers to the spread of tumor cells from one organ or tissue to another location, and also refers to tumor tissue that forms in a new location as a result of metastasis. Tumors of any grade or stage known to one of skill in the art, including low-grade tumors, can often be detected by the chlorotoxin conjugates described herein. In some aspects, tumor detection includes imaging, resection, diagnostics, and treatment.

In certain aspects, the present compounds are capable of passing across the blood brain barrier. Passing across the blood brain barrier is advantageous when detecting or treating a cancer cell in the brain or other region of the body after breast cancer metastasis.

In certain other aspects, the chlorotoxin conjugate can be used alone or in combination with other detection agents, to detect, image, visualize, or analyze the tumor in advance of, during, or following anti-tumor treatments, which can include surgery and surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. In addition, the chlorotoxin conjugate can be used alone or with other detection agents for follow-up monitoring post treatment as well as for general monitoring for full-body screening.

In some embodiments, various fluorescence imaging systems can be used to image excised specimens ex vivo or can be used to perform intraoperative imaging. Any system capable of scanning for fluorescence in the infrared and near infrared range can be used, such as the SIRIS or Spectrum instruments.

Methods of Treatment

The present disclosure can provide methods for treating some types of breast cancer by administering a chlorotoxin variant. In one embodiment, the method includes administering an effective amount of a modified chlorotoxin peptide of the invention to a subject in need thereof. Subjects can include, but are not limited to humans, non-human primates, monkeys, cows, dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, horses, guinea pigs, rats, and mice. The methods of treatment of the invention can be applicable to human and animal subjects in need of such treatment.

The term “effective amount,” as used herein, refers to a sufficient amount of an agent or a compound being administered which will relieve to some extent one or more of the symptoms of breast cancer. The result can be reduction and/or alleviation of the signs, symptoms, or causes of breast cancer, the ablation, shrinkage, minimization, reduction, inhibition or killing of breast cancer cells, tissues, and tumors, or any other desired alteration of a biological system. Compositions containing such agents or compounds can be administered for prophylactic, enhancing, and/or therapeutic treatments. An appropriate “effective” amount in any individual case may be determined using techniques, such as a dose escalation study.

The chlorotoxin conjugates described herein can be used for treatment of breast cancers. In some aspects, certain tumors amenable to treatment with a chlorotoxin conjugate of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to DCIS, IDC, LCIS, ILC, or TNBC.

In certain aspects, the chlorotoxin conjugate is administered to an individual having or suspected of having a breast cancer tumor, such that the conjugate binds specifically to the tumor. Such methods can be useful in reducing the likelihood that the individual will develop a tumor, that one or more tumors in the individual will increase in size, that one or more tumors in the individual will metastasize, and/or that the cancer will progress by some other measure. As used herein, the term “metastasis” refers to the spread of tumor cells from one organ or tissue to another location, and also refers to tumor tissue that forms in a new location as a result of metastasis.

The chlorotoxin conjugates described herein can be used for treatment of tumors that originated in breast tissue and metastasized to other organs or anatomical locations, including but not limited to, lymph nodes, lung, brain, colon, rectum, prostate, head, neck, stomach, anus, and/or vaginal tissues, for example. In certain aspects, the present compounds are capable of passing across the blood brain barrier. Passing across the blood brain barrier is advantageous when treating a cancer cell in the brain after breast cancer metastasis. In further aspects, tumors of any grade or stage known to one of skill in the art, including low-grade tumors, can be treated by the chlorotoxin variants or their conjugates described herein. In some aspects, tumor treatment includes the chlorotoxin conjugated to a therapeutic agent.

The chlorotoxin can be a targeting agent that directs the conjugate to a type of breast cancer tissue. In one embodiment, the chlorotoxin conjugate of the invention includes one or more a therapeutic agents. In a further embodiment, a therapeutic agent is covalently coupled to the chlorotoxin. The therapeutic agent can be coupled to the chlorotoxin to allow for chlorotoxin directed delivery of the therapeutic agent to the breast cancer. Suitable therapeutic agents can be those that can be covalently coupled to a chlorotoxin without substantially adversely affecting the targeting and binding function of the chlorotoxin conjugate. Similarly, suitable therapeutic agents can retain their therapeutic properties after conjugation to the chlorotoxin.

Treatment of the types of breast cancer with a chlorotoxin conjugate as described herein can be combined with other treatments and therapies. Other treatments and therapies can consist of, but are not limited to, radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or any other treatment part of the standard of care for a breast cancer patient.

Generally, the dosage of administered chlorotoxin conjugates can vary depending upon such factors as the patient's age, weight, height, sex, general medical condition and previous medical history. Typically, it can be desirable to provide the recipient with a dosage of chlorotoxin conjugated to a chemotherapeutic, an anti-cancer agent, or an anti-cancer drug that is effective to achieve the ablation, shrinkage, minimization, reduction, inhibition or killing of breast cancer cells, tissues, or tumors, or prevention of and ablation, shrinkage, minimization, reduction, inhibition or killing of breast cancer cells, tissues or tumors associated with metastasis. In many cases, it is desirable to provide the recipient with a dosage of a chlorotoxin conjugate that is in the range of from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg, although a lower or higher dosage also may be administered as circumstances dictate.

Administration of a chlorotoxin conjugate to a subject can be topical, inhalant, intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intrapleural, intrathecal, by perfusion through a regional catheter, or by direct intralesional injection. When administering conjugates by injection, the administration may be by continuous infusion or by single or multiple boluses.

Additional routes of administration can include oral, mucosal-membrane, pulmonary, and transcutaneous. Oral deliverycan be suitable for polyester microspheres, zein microspheres, proteinoid microspheres, polycyanoacrylate microspheres, and lipid-based systems (see, for example, DiBase and Morrel, “Oral Delivery of Microencapsulated Proteins,” in Protein Delivery: Physical Systems, Sanders and Hendren (eds.), pages 255-288 (Plenum Press 1997)). The feasibility of an intranasal delivery can exemplified by such a mode of insulin administration (see, for example, Hinchcliffe and Ilium, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 35:199 (1999)). Dry or liquid particles comprising a chlorotoxin conjugate can be prepared and inhaled with the aid of dry-powder dispersers, liquid aerosol generators, or nebulizers (e.g., Pettit and Gombotz, TIBTECH 16:343 (1998); Patton et al., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 35:235 (1999)). This approach can be illustrated by the AERX diabetes management system, which is a hand-held electronic inhaler that delivers aerosolized insulin into the lungs. Transdermal delivery using electroporation can provide another means to administer a chlorotoxin conjugate.

All features discussed in connection with an aspect or embodiment herein can be readily adapted for use in other aspects and embodiments herein. The use of different terms or reference numerals for similar features in different embodiments does not necessarily imply differences other than those expressly set forth. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to be described solely by reference to the appended claims, and not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.

EXAMPLES

Ex Vivo Imaging

This example describes ex vivo imaging of breast tissue from six human subjects diagnosed with breast cancer, wherein the breast tissue was excised at least two hours after administration of a single slow bolus of 12 mg Compound 76.

In all cases, areas of suspected tumors showed fluorescent signal. The Synchronized Infrared Imaging System (SIRIS) was used to detect Compound 76 in tumor tissue immediately following excision. Intact tissue was imaged, then cut into about 5 mm sections according to standard methods. Sections were imaged, and areas of gross tumor were noted by the pathologist. Fluorescent areas were noted to enable correlation of fluorescence with histopathologic analysis after tissue fixatiation. Images were analyzed using ImageJ software. The relative fluorescence signal (RFU) per pixel was measured in a region of interest in the tumor area and an adjacent non-tumor region and tumor to background ratio (TBR) was calculated. Immunohistochemistry analysis for expression of HER2, ER, and PR was conducted as part of standard clinical practice.

All subjects had invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and/or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). More specifically, subject B001 was diagnosed with DCIS with small focus microinvasive carcinoma, columnar cell hyperplasia, and apocrine metaplasia, and which was further classified as ER positive, PR negative, HER2 equivocal, and 20% Ki67 positive. subject B002 was diagnosed with IDC and DCIS, which was further classified as ER negative, PR negative, HER2 negative, and 17% Ki67 positive. Subject B003 was diagnosed with IDC and DCIS, which was further classified as ER positive, PR positive, HER2 negative, and 10% Ki67 positive. Subject B004 was diagnosed with IDC and DCIS, which was further classified as ER positive, PR positive, HER2 negative, and 15% Ki67 positive. Subject B005 was diagnosed with DCIS, which further was classified as ER positive and HER2 negative. Subject B006 was diagnosed with IDC and DCIS, which was further classified as ER positive, PR negative, HER2 negative, and 10% Ki67 positive.

Contrast between confirmed areas of DCIS and adjacent normal tissues was seen in cases where DCIS was the only diagnosed lesion. Two DCIS lesions were missed in cases where IDC was the primary diagnosis. The IDC cases showed contrast between areas confirmed as tumor and adjacent normal breast tissue.

The main tumor mass, lymph node tissue, and the tumor margin of subject B001 were excised and imaged.FIG.1shows images and graphs of fluorescent signal intensity of ex vivo tissue, wherein 12 mg of Compound 76 was administered to the human subject (subject B001) before excision of the tissue.FIG.1Ashows near-infrared (NIR) images of the ex vivo lumpectomy specimen on the left, and corresponding white light images of the lumpectomy specimen on the right, which were taken prior to gross sectioning. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.1Bshows an NIR image overlay with the white light image of ex vivo gross sectioned lumpectomy specimen from subject B001 at a 30 millisecond (ms) calculated exposure time, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. The Ds with accompanying arrows indicate areas of DCIS. The MI with accompanying arrow indicates an area with microinvasive carcinoma. The B indicates the biopsy site. The fluorescent signal as seen inFIG.1Bwas determined to be DCIS by tissue pathology using H&E staining, as shown inFIGS.1C,1D, and1F, and to be microinvasive carcinoma by tissue pathology using H&E staining, as shown inFIG.1E.FIG.1Gshows a line plot analysis graph of the ex vivo lumpectomy specimen as shown inFIG.1B, which shows the fluorescent signal intensity (through the line on the above NIR image of the tumor mass) was increased in the microinvasive carcinoma “M” and DCIS “D” compared to the non-tumor adipose tissue “A”. The biopsy site is marked “B”. NIR image above the line plot analysis graph used a 30 ms calculated exposure time. This demonstrates that there was an increase in signal within the DCIS regions.FIG.1Hshows on the left, an NIR image of the tumor margin and the corresponding visible light image, and the lumpectomy specimen NIR image on the right, which were taken prior to gross sectioning using a 30 ms calculated exposure time. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Tissue pathology showed the tumor margin was mostly fat cells, and showed no evidence of tumor cells.FIG.11shows a line plot analysis of the fluorescent signal intensity of tumor margin tissue through the line.FIG.1Jshows a line plot analysis of the fluorescent signal intensity of the lumpectomy specimen through the line. Comparison ofFIG.11toFIG.1Jshows the fluorescent signal intensity from the lumpectomy specimen is four-fold higher than the signal from the tumor margin.FIG.2shows images of ex vivo breast tissue after administration of Compound 76 to a human subject (subject B002) diagnosed with breast cancer.FIG.2Ashows an image of the excised breast tissue from subject B002 under white light.FIG.2Bshows a NIR image overlay of the excised breast tissue from subject B002 on the white light image fromFIG.2A, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.2Cshows a NIR image overlay on a white light image of excised breast tissue from subject B002, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. The circle indicates a region with small foci of DCIS.FIG.3shows a NIR image overlay on a white light image of excised breast tissue from subject B003, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.4shows a NIR image overlay on a white light image of excised breast tissue from subject B004, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. Strong, focal fluorescence signal, corresponding to the bright area in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. The arrow indicates an area of IDC.FIG.5shows a NIR image of excised breast tissue from subject B005, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. The arrow indicates an area of fluorescence that is likely DCIS.FIG.6shows a NIR image overlay on a white light image of excised breast tissue from subject B006, in which the fluorescence indicates tumor. Strong, focal fluorescence signal, corresponding to the bright area in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. NIR images were made using the Synchronized Infra-Red Imaging System (SIRIS) device and calculations of exposure time based thereon. It is understood that exposure times can vary depending on the different devices used to detect fluorescence in the tumor.

The TBR's ranged from 4.7 to 8.4. The case with the highest contrast was triple negative.

Control breast tissues were also imaged to show tumor fluorescence occurs after administration of Compound 76, and to show Compound 76 fluorescence is specific to tumor tissue. To show tumor fluorescence occurs after administration of Compound 76, a human subject with breast cancer did not receive an injection of Compound 76 before breast tissue was excised.FIG.7shows images of breast tissue from a human subject diagnosed with breast cancer, wherein no Compound 76 was administered to the human subject before excision of the breast tissue.FIG.7Ashows a white light image of excised breast tissue from this subject.FIG.7Bshows a NIR image of excised breast tissue from this subject, in which the image was exposed for 30 ms calculated exposure time.FIG.7Cshow a NIR image of excised breast tissue from this subject, in which the image exposed for 135 ms calculated exposure time. BothFIGS.7B &7Cshow no fluorescence, indicating tumor tissue does not fluorescence in the absence of Compound 76. To show Compound 76 fluorescence is specific to tumor tissue, normal breast tissue excised from a human subject who received an injection of Compound 76 was imaged.FIG.8shows ex vivo images of normal breast tissue from a human subject, wherein 12 mg of Compound 76 was administered to the human subject before excision of the normal breast tissue.FIG.8Ashows an white light image of excised normal breast tissue from this subject.FIG.8Bshows an H&E staining of the normal breast tissue from this subject to confirm that there is no tumor pathology in the excised breast tissue.FIG.8Cshows a NIR image of excised normal breast tissue from this subject, in which the image was exposed for 30 ms calculated exposure time.FIG.8Dshows a NIR image of excised normal breast tissue from this subject, in which the image was exposed for 135 ms calculated exposure time. BothFIGS.8C &8Dshow no fluorescence, indicating Compound 76 fluorescence is specific to tumor tissue.

Mouse Xenograft Models of Breast Cancer and Imaging with Compound 76

This example demonstrates fluorescence of breast cancer tumors in mouse xenograft models after administration of Compound 76.

Xenograft of Breast Cancer Cell Lines

The human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 (MB231) and MDA-MB-468 (MB468) were purchased from American Type Culture Collection. Both cell lines are estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, and HER2 negative, which classifies these cell lines as triple-negative breast cancers. MB231 and MB468 are both mestastatic breast adenocarcinoma derived from a pleural effusion. Subcutaneous flank xenografts of MB231 were generated in 3 female nude mice. Subcutaneous flank xenografts of MB468 were generated in 4 female nude mice. After 4-7 weeks of growth, both sets of mice received a single IV bolus dose of 0.03 mg of Compound 76 through the tail vein. The mice were euthanized one day after injection, and the tumor and quadriceps muscles were dissected. Ex vivo imaging was performed on an Odyssey CLx near-infrared scanner (LI-COR) at 21 micron resolution, autointensity, on the 800 nm channel. Images were analyzed using Image Studio software (LI-COR) by drawing regions of interest within each tissue. Background subtracted signal in tumor was then compared to signal in normal muscle and reported as tumor to background ratios (TBR).

Compound 76 uptake was detected in all mice with MB231 xenografts and with MB468 xenografts one day after injection.FIG.9shows near infrared (NIR) images of the MB231 xenografts from mice on the top row with NIR images of corresponding normal muscle below in the bottom row. TBR in MB231 tumors compared to normal muscle was between 5 and 19.FIG.10shows NIR images of the MB468 xenografts from mice on the top row with NIR images of corresponding normal muscle below in the bottom row. The TBR in MB231 tumors compared to normal muscle is between 5 and 19. Fluorescence signal in MB468 tumors was between 3.6 and 10.5 times higher than normal muscle. These results indicate that Compound 76 can be readily detected in human breast cancer cell line xenograft models in mice with good contrast between normal and tumor tissue.

Xenograft of Breast Cancer Derived From a Patient

Additionally, the TM00089 patient-derived xenograft model was tested in mice through The Jackson Laboratory. This model was established from a human triple-negative/grade T2NOMX breast cancer. Tumor fragments were transplanted from mouse to mouse as subcutaneous flank xenografts in NOD-scid IL2Rgammanullmice. When the tumors reached 500-750 mm3, the five mice received a single IV bolus dose of 0.03 mg of Compound 76 through the tail vein. The mice were euthanized one day after injection, and the tumor, mammary tissue, and quadriceps muscle were dissected. Half of each tissue was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and the other half was frozen in Optimal Cutting Temperature Compound (OCT). Whole fixed tissue was scanned on the Odyssey scanner using 21 micron resolution, autointensity, and the 800 nm channel. Analysis was conducted using Image studio software by drawing regions of interest within the tissue. Background subtracted signal in tumor was then compared to normal mammary tissue and muscle and reported as tumor to background ratios. Fixed tumor and mammary tissue is paraffin embedded, processed, and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) according to standard histology protocols (Histology Consultation Services).

Compound 76 uptake was detected in all five tumor xenografts. Compound 76 signal is significantly higher in tumor compared to normal mammary fat pads (p=0.01 two-tailed t-test of unequal variance) and compared to normal muscle (P<0.01 two-tailed T-test of unequal variance). TBR's were between 1.8 and 8.1 (1.8, 4.6, 8.1, 4.1, and 6.3) when compared to normal mammary tissue, and were between 5.1 and 23 (5.1, 19, 11.5, 7.1, and 23) when compared to muscle.FIG.11shows images of tumor, muscle, and mammary tissue from mice that received a xenograft of breast cancer tissue derived from a patient with breast cancer.FIG.11Ashows NIR images of the tumor xenografts from mice on the top row with NIR images of corresponding normal muscle below in the middle row and corresponding normal mammary fat pad below in the bottom row. The first five panels on the left are from mice that received an injection of Compound 76, and the panel on right is from a mouse that did not receive an injection of Compound 76. Variability in signal within the tumor may be due to areas of necrosis and the presence of cysts that are observed in some samples. FIG.11B shows H&E staining of each tumor below the tumor it corresponds to inFIG.11A, which confirms these tissues show tumor pathology.

The data obtained from these studies show Compound 76 can be used as an imaging agent for breast cancer surgery.

Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with a Peptide-Active Agent Conjugate

This example describes the use of chlorotoxin variants described herein to treat triple-negative breast cancer. A peptide of the disclosure is expressed recombinantly or chemically synthesized and then is conjugated to a cytotoxic drug, such as iniparib, capecitabine, carboplatin, cisplatin, docetaxel, gemcitabine, irinotecan, or paclitaxel. The cytotoxic drug is conjugated to SEQ ID NO: 9 peptide at K27. Alternatively, the cytotoxic drug is conjugated to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 peptide. Triple-negative breast cancer is targeted by the conjugate, and therefore, the conjugate is administered to a human or animal to treat triple-negative breast cancer.

Treatment of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer with a Peptide-Active Agent Conjugate

This example describes the use of chlorotoxin variants described herein to treat invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. A peptide of the disclosure is expressed recombinantly or chemically synthesized and then is conjugated to a cytotoxic drug, such as lapatinib, doxorubicin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, paclitaxel, capecitabine, ixabepilone, methotrexate, or 5-fluorouracil. The cytotoxic drug is conjugated to SEQ ID NO: 9 peptide at K27. Alternatively, the cytotoxic drug is conjugated to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 peptide. Invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer is targeted by the conjugate, and therefore, the conjugate is administered to a human or animal to treat invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer.

Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Breast Cancer with a Peptide-Active Agent Conjugate

This example describes the use of chlorotoxin variants described herein to treat ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer. A peptide of the disclosure is expressed recombinantly or chemically synthesized and then is conjugated to a radioactive moiety or a radiosensitizer. The cytotoxic drug is conjugated to SEQ ID NO: 9 peptide at K27. Alternatively, the cytotoxic drug is conjugated to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 peptide. Ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer is targeted by the conjugate, and therefore, the conjugate is administered to a human or animal to treat ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer.

Serum Pharmacokinetics of 6 mg and 12 mg Doses of Compound 76

This example describes a Phase I clinical study (BB-005) of Compound 76 dosing by intravenous (IV) bolus injection in adult subjects with breast cancer before surgical excision of breast cancer from subjects. The Phase I clinical study of Compound 76 included dose evaluation after intravenous injection of Compound 76 by fluorescence imaging and research pathology assessment.

Each subject was given a single bolus IV injection of Compound 76. Each single bolus IV injection was given over the course of 3-4 minutes. Eleven subjects were given a 6 mg dose. Four subjects were given a 12 mg dose. Following the single bolus IV injection, blood samples were collected at 5, 15, and 30 minutes post-injection from each subject. Samples were analyzed for Compound 76 serum concentration using a validated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method.FIG.12illustrates mean serum concentration of Compound 76 at the time points measured above versus nominal time profiles in the 6 mg dosing cohort and the 12 mg dosing cohort.

Phase I Clinical Study of Compound 76 Dosing in Adult Subjects with Breast Cancer (BB-005 Clinical Trial)

This example describes a Phase I clinical study of Compound 76 dosing in adult subjects with breast cancer. The Phase I clinical study of Compound 76 included dose evaluation after intravenous injection of Compound 76 by fluorescence imaging and research pathology assessment.

Clinical Imaging

Intact lumpectomy or mastectomy specimens were excised and imaged for Compound 76 fluorescence using the Synchronized Infrared Imaging System (SIRIS) (Butte 2014). Excised specimens were positioned under the SIRIS imaging head at a fixed focal distance of 35-40 cm. A black fabric covering was utilized to enclose the imaging head and platform to minimize interference from ambient light. Near infrared (NIR) images, visible light images and NIR/visible light composite images were acquired. NIR images were taken by varying exposure times and digital gain settings to optimize for Compound 76-specific fluorescence without reaching saturation levels. Excised lumpectomy specimens were roughly spherical and were rolled in all directions to image superficial, deep, lateral, medial, superior, and inferior sections of the tissue. Excised mastectomy specimens were imaged in the superficial section and posterior/deep aspects (farthest from the surface, adjacent to muscle) of the tissue.

After SIRIS imaging of intact lumpectomy and mastectomy specimens, tissues were gross sectioned using standard techniques and imaged as described above. Areas of gross tumor and areas of fluorescence not within the gross tumor were noted. Samples were further analyzed using standard histopathology methods.

Imaging with either the Spectrum (Quest Medical Imaging) or SIRIS was additionally carried out during surgery for a subset of subjects. Ambient light was minimized during imaging by turning off overhead lights and directing surgical lamps away from the field of view. In this subset of subjects, images of the intact specimens immediately after excision, the tumor bed, and any additional margin tissue after specimen excision were acquired. Additionally, lymph nodes were excised before or after specimen excision and were imaged.

Clinical Image Analysis

Intact lumpectomy and mastectomy specimens were subjectively scored for diffuse fluorescence, which can indicate tumor tissue beneath an adequate margin of normal tissue, or for bright fluorescence with sharp edges, which can indicate tumor tissue at or near the surface of the excised specimen.

Sectioned tissues were analyzed for tumor location using standard gross assessment techniques. Pathology confirmed tumor and non-tumor tissue regions, which were generally apparent within the same field of view. The ImageJ image analysis software was utilized to quantify the relative fluorescence intensity in tumor tissues and surrounding tissues (contrast). A region of interest (ROI) was drawn around the tumor region within a region of grossly normal tissue in the same field of view when possible. The integrated fluorescence intensity was quantified with the image analysis software within each ROI and the tumor to background ratio (TBR) was calculated.

ROI analysis as described above was also carried out for other regions of fluorescence not identified as tumor tissues by pathology assessment.

Image Correlation to Pathology

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to analyze tissue sections from fluorescent and non-fluorescence regions of gross sectioned tissues. Photomicrographs of H&E stained tissues was compared to fluorescence images of the same regions.

Odyssey Imaging and Histopathology

In some cases, a small area of fluorescent and non-fluorescent tissue of the gross sectioned images was excised and frozen in optimum cutting temperature (OCT) compound. These tissues were cryosectioned and imaged with an Odyssey CLx near-infrared scanner (Li-Cor). Instrument settings were as follows: 800 nm channel, auto intensity, 21 μm resolution, 1 mm offset. Continuous, serial sections were H&E stained and the following regions were marked: tumor regions, necrotic regions, non-tumor abnormal tissue, and normal tissue. Fluorescence signal in each region was analyzed with the ImageJ v1.48 with Bio_Format plugin. Mean intensity per mm2was used to compare different regions and samples.

Subject Enrollment

Subjects were recruited at Overlake Hospital (Site 1) and the University of Washington Medical Center (Site 2). Ten subjects had been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinomas (ILC), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). DCIS and LCIS often occurred along with invasive carcinoma. Subjects were scheduled for lumpectomy or mastectomy. Subjects received either 12 mg or 6 mg of Compound 76 at least two hours prior to surgery. TABLE 6 summarizes the details for each enrolled subject and image acquisition details.

TABLE 6Summary of Subject Information and Images AcquiredGradeTime fromEx vivoSubjectInv1/Dosedose toIntraop imagesimagesnumberSiteDiagnosisProcedurein situ2(mg)surgery (h)SpectrumSIRISSIRISOdysseyB0011microinvasive carcinoma,Lumpectomy2/2126NoNoYesNoDCISB0021IDC, DCISLumpectomy2/2123.25NoNoYesYesB0031IDC with DCISMastectomy2/2123.25NoNoYesYesB0041IDC with DCIS and LCISLumpectomy1/2122NoNoYesYesB0051DCISMastectomyNA/2123.25NoNoYesNoB0061IDC, DCISLumpectomy2/3126NoNoYesYesB0071bilateral IDC, DCISBilateral1/NA, 2/2124.5YesNoYesYesLumpectomyB0081IDC, DCISLumpectomy2/1-2123.5YesNoYesYesB0091IDCMastectomy2/NA122YesNoYesYesB0102IDC, DCISLumpectomy2/11223NoYesNoNoB0111Mucinous carcinoma3,Lumpectomy2/2124YesNoYesNoDCISB0122IDC, DCISMastectomy3/31223NoYesNoNoB0132DCISLumpectomyNA/3625.5NoYesYesNoB0142bilateral carcinoma-ILC,Bilateral1/NA, 3/3616.5NoYesYesNoLCIS, IDC4, DCISMastectomyB0151IDC, DCISLumpectomy1-2/2-363YesNoYesNoB0162DCISMastectomyNA/3617NoYesYesNoB01751IDC, DCIS5Mastectomy3/UK62.25YesNoYesNoB01862IDC, DCISMastectomy1/2616NoYesYesNoB0192DCISLumpectomyNA/2619NoYesYesNoB0201Bilateral IDC, DCISBilateral1/NA, 1/261YesNoYesNoLumpectomyB0212ILC, LCISLumpectomy2/1-3626NoYesyesNoB0221bilateral ILC, LCIS IDC,Bilateral1/NA, 1/262YesNoYesNoDCISMastectomyB02372IDC, DCISMastectomy3/3626NoYesYesNo1Nottingham grade of the invasive carcinoma.2Nuclear grade of the in situ carcinoma.3Mucinous carcinoma was present in the previous biopsy. Residual invasive carcinoma was not present in the lumpectomy specimen.4The invasive ductal carcinoma was present in the needle core biopsy. Residual invasive carcinoma was not present in the mastectomy specimen.5Subject received pre-surgical neoadjuvant therapy. No residual invasive or in situ carcinoma was present in the mastectomy specimen.6Subject had a lumpectomy approximately 2 months prior to this procedure.7Subject received pre-surgical neoadjuvant therapy. Residual IDC and DCIS was present in the mastectomy specimen.IDC—invasive ductal carcinomaDCIS—ductal carcinoma in situ;LCIS—lobular carcinoma in situILC—invasive lobular carcinomaUK—unknown
Dose Analysis—12 mg Cohort

A total of 12 subjects were intravenously administered 12 mg of Compound 76 (TABLE 6). Eleven subjects underwent surgery for invasive carcinoma (8 subjects received a lumpectomy and 4 subjects received a mastectomy). Subject B005 was only diagnosed with DCIS and received a mastectomy. Subject B007 had invasive carcinoma in the left and right breast and received a bilateral lumpectomy. Whole tissue specimens and gross sectioned specimens from 10 subjects were imaged ex vivo with the SIRIS. Intra-operative imaging was performed on 4 subjects with the Spectrum and on 2 subjects with the SIRIS (TABLE 6).

Fluorescent signal was detected in in situ and invasive carcinomas. Exposure times of tissues to imaging was at the lower end of the SIRIS sensitivity settings.FIG.13illustrates the ex vivo NIR images of IDC in subject B002 taken using the SIRIS at 3.3 msec to 30 msec exposure settings. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Tumor fluorescence was visible at the lowest exposure setting (3.3 msec) and was saturated at 30 msec, demonstrating that the IDC can be imaged within the SIRIS detection limits, which range from 3 msec to 1 sec.FIG.14illustrates representative images of IDC and DCIS carcinoma specimens imaged ex vivo using the SIRIS imaging system. Visible light images are shown on the left and visible/NIR overlay images are shown to the right. IDC specimens are from subject B004 and DCIS specimens are from B008. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.15illustrates representative gross sectioned visible/NIR overlay images from invasive carcinoma (subjects B002, B004, B007) and in situ carcinoma (B001, B004, B008). The abbreviation MI in this figure refers to microinvasive carcinoma and B refers to biopsy. Fluorescence signal was observed in specimens from eight subjects where invasive carcinoma was present in the specimen and gross sectioned tissue was imaged ex vivo. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Specimens from subjects B010 and B012 were not imaged ex vivo. Subject B011 was diagnosed with invasive mucinous carcinoma, which was found in a previous biopsy. Residual invasive carcinoma was not present in the lumpectomy specimen that was excised from subject B011. Tissue in subject B003 was fixed prior to ex vivo imaging and while fluorescence was observed, longer exposure times were required.

Lumpectomy/mastectomy specimens (in situ and ex vivo), the surgical cavity, additional margin tissue, and lymph nodes were imaged in subjects B007 through B012 in the 12 mg dosing cohort. Subjects B007, B008, B009, and B011 were imaged intraoperatively with the Spectrum and subjects B010 and B012 were imaged with the SIRIS.FIG.16illustrates representative Spectrum and SIRIS images from intra-operative imaging.FIG.16Aillustrates fluorescence signal from intra-operative imaging using the Spectrum in subject B009. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the mastectomy tissue in situ, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues and was observed faintly towards the middle of the image.FIG.16Billustrates fluorescence signal from intra-operative imaging using the SIRIS on lumpectomy specimens ex vivo and at the surgical site in subject B010. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.

FIG.21andFIG.22show multiple points of intraoperative imaging in subject B008 in the 12 mg dosing cohort.FIG.21Aillustrates fluorescence signal in Spectrum-obtained images of the lateral margin and inferior margin in lumpectomy specimens. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.21Billustrates fluorescence signal in SIRIS-obtained sliced lumpectomy images. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.22Aillustrates fluorescence signal in the surgical site. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIG.22Billustrates fluorescence signal in the inferior lateral margin wrap that was excised from the surgical site inFIG.22A. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Fluorescence signal in the inferior lateral margin wrap was concentrated in a 1 cm region of DCIS confirmed by histopathology analysis. Pathologic assessment of the excised lumpectomy specimen showed IDC and DCIS. The closet margin in the IDC samples was 2.0 mm (inferior) and the closest margin in the DCIS samples was 2.5 mm (inferior). The inferior-lateral cavity specimen showed a 1.0 cm area of residual DCIS characterized by small foci.

In three of the subjects, fluorescence signal was not observed in excised tissue specimens or in the tumor bed. In subject B008, fluorescence signal was observed in a lumpectomy specimen where margins were determined to be less than 5 mm by pathology consultation. Fluorescence signal was also observed in the surgical cavity of subject B008, corresponding to residual DCIS. Subject B010 was determined to have a 1 mm inferior margin on the lumpectomy specimen, but the margin was not captured in SIRIS images.

Dose Analysis—6 mg Dose Cohort

A total of 11 subjects were intravenously administered 6 mg of Compound 76 (TABLE 6). Eight subjects had invasive carcinoma. Three of these subjects received a lumpectomy and five subjects received a mastectomy. Three subjects were diagnosed with only in situ carcinoma. Two of these subjects underwent a lumpectomy and one subject underwent a mastectomy. Subjects B014, B020, and B022 had bilateral invasive carcinoma. Subjects B014 and B022 underwent a bilateral mastectomy and subject B020 underwent bilateral lumpectomy.

All subjects in this dose cohort were imaged intraoperatively with the SIRIS (7 subjects) or the Spectrum (4 subjects) and gross sectioned tissue from all subjects were imaged ex vivo with the SIRIS. Fluorescence signal was observed in all subjects with invasive and in situ carcinoma. Exposure times of 135 msec were needed to image samples, which was higher than the exposure time used to image the above 12 mg dose cohort. Subject B022 underwent a bilateral mastectomy for lobular and invasive carcinoma and two invasive lesions were found in the right breast. One of these lesions exhibited negative fluorescence; however, the lesion may have been out of the range of the limit of detection.FIG.17illustrates representative images from tissue specimens with invasive and in situ carcinoma. Invasive carcinoma NIR/visible light overlay images were produced for subjects B021, B022, and B015. In situ carcinoma NIR/visible light overlay images were produced for subjects B013 and B016. An NIR light image only of the in situ carcinoma were produced for subject B014. Circles and arrows/pointer indicate tumor regions. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.FIGS.18-19illustrate representative intraoperative images from the 6 mg dose cohort.FIG.18illustrates a representative intraoperative SIRIS image of subject B020 including the lumpectomy specimen in situ and the tumor bed. Fluorescence signal was not observed in the surgical site in any of these subjects.FIG.19illustrates representative intraoperative Spectrum images from subject B021 including the lumpectomy specimen ex vivo and the surgical site. The NIR only image of the lumpectomy specimen contains an outline region where increased fluorescence was observed and the margin was less than 5 mm. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues.

Overall the data showed that fluorescence signal intensity in invasive and in situ carcinoma was higher than benign tissue in the 12 mg dose cohort. Furthermore, the fluorescence signal was sufficiently strong such that invasive and in situ carcinoma were visually distinguishable in 7 out of 9 lesions evaluated.FIG.20illustrates a graph of relative fluorescence units (RFU)/pixel/sec for benign, in situ, and invasive breast tissues (as confirmed by pathology assessment) for the 12 mg and 6 mg dose cohorts. The asterisk indicates a false positive. The data showed the fluorescence signal intensity in the 6 mg dose cohort was lower than the 12 mg dose cohort in all three tissue types. The data showed that fluorescence signal intensity in subjects with invasive and in situ carcinoma was higher than benign tissue in the 6 mg dose cohort as well. However, exposure times were longer and the fluorescence signal was not as bright as the 12 mg dose cohort. Finally, although fluorescence in benign tissue in the 12 mg dose cohort was higher than in the 6 mg dose cohort, this analysis included a false positive outlier in the 12 mg dose cohort, indicated with an asterisk inFIG.20. Fluorescence signal intensity was measured within a region of interest (ROI) by ImageJ software analysis. As seen inFIG.20, fluorescence signal in invasive carcinoma was three fold higher (range of 1.4-4.4; n=6 subjects) than benign breast tissue in the 6 mg dose cohort. Fluorescence signal in invasive carcinoma was seven fold higher (range of 5-10; n=6 subjects) than benign breast tissue in the 12 mg dose cohort. Thus, the 6 mg dose level was effective in detecting breast cancer, but the higher 12 mg dose level exhibited better contrast between fluorescence in carcinoma versus benign breast tissue.

Fluorescence Correlation with Histopathology

Fluorescence signal relevant to pathology was correlated to H&E histopathological analysis using microscopy. Bright focal fluorescence signal was correlated to invasive carcinoma in eight of eight subjects in the 12 mg dose cohort as shown inFIG.23. For example, this correlation was exhibited by specimens from subject B001 with microinvasive carcinoma and subject B003. In the 6 mg dose cohort, seven of eight invasive carcinoma lesions were detected. In the 12 mg dose cohort, regions containing diffuse fluorescence signal were observed in five of seven DCIS lesions. In the 6 mg dose cohort, five out of five in situ lesions were detected as shown inFIG.24.FIG.23illustrates fluorescence and histopathology images in subject B002 with invasive carcinoma. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Bright, focal fluorescence was observed in invasive carcinoma regions (2) of lumpectomy specimens imaged ex vivo and corresponded well to the H&E image to the right. No fluorescence signal was observed in benign breast tissue (1) and corresponded well to the H&E image to the right.FIG.24illustrates diffuse fluorescence in subject B013 with in situ carcinoma (see pointer in image) and corresponded to a region of DCIS outlined in the light color in the H&E image to the right. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR image, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Benign breast tissue, as illustrated by H&E staining, exhibited no fluorescence signal in Region 2 and light fluorescence in Region 3. The site of a previous biopsy is indicated in the dark circle.

Margin Analysis

Margin analysis was conducted on ten subjects with ex vivo images on whole specimens and final pathologic margin data. Eight subjects had IDC and/or DCIS or LCIS. Two subjects had ILC and/or LCIS. TABLE 8 shows results from the diagnosis, the NIR imaging result, and the closest pathologic margin in each subject.

Six specimens were observed to be suspicious of a close margin based on NIR imaging results and four were not suspicious of a close margin. The mean closest margin was 2.2 mm for specimens suspicious of a close margin and 6.25 mm for specimens not suspicious of a close margin (P<0.05).

Breast density was assessed by radiologists using mammograms and was classified into four categories. Low density breast tissues were described as “almost entirely fatty” and “scattered areas of fibroglandular density.” Dense breast tissues were described as “heterogeneously dense” and “extremely dense.” Higher density breast tissues makes mammographic detection difficult (Freer, 2015). Breast density data was collected for eight subjects in the 12 mg dose cohort. Seven of these subjects were in the 6 mg dose cohort and one of these subjects was in the 12 mg dose cohort. Fluorescence signal intensity and pathology assessments were determined for five subjects. These five subjects included two subjects with lobular carcinoma and three subjects with ductal carcinoma in situ. These subjects were determined to have dense breast tissues; however fluorescence was still observed in all five subjects, indicating that fluorescence detection with Compound 76 was not hindered by dense breast tissue.

Lobular and Ductal Carcinoma

Most subjects enrolled in this Phase I study had a ductal histological type of carcinoma. Of 27 specimens (four enrolled subjects underwent bilateraly lumpectomy or mastectomy), 24 were ductal carcinomas and three were lobular carcinomas. Subject B011 was diagnosed with mucinous carcinoma confirmed by a previous biopsy, but mucinous carcinoma was not found in the lumpectomy specimen. Subject B011 had a focus of DCIS, which exhibited fluorescence. In situ disease was characterized by a diffuse, lower fluorescence signal, and invasive disease was characterized by bright, focal fluorescence signal for both lobular (ILC and LCIS) and ductal carcinomas (IDC and DCIS).FIG.25illustrates fluorescence patterns in DCIS in subject B016 and IDC in subject B015 as well as LCIS in subject B021 and ILC in subject B022. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. These subjects received 6 mg of Compound 76, and NIR and visible light overlays were acquired using the SIRIS at a 135 msec exposure setting. Similar patterns were observed in the 12 mg dose cohort.

Hormone Receptors and HER2 Expression

Hormone receptor and HER2 expression was determined for 22 of 23 subjects enrolled in this Phase I clinical study. Data for subject B013 was not available. TABLE 11 and TABLE 12 summarize these results.

Subjects B002 and B014 were ER−, PR−, and HER2− (triple negative). All other subjects were ER+, and all but three subjects were PR+. Only B017 was HER2+, all other subjects were HER2−. Subject B017 was treated prior to surgery and residual IDC was not detected in the mastectomy specimen.FIG.26illustrates a SIRIS image of invasive ductal carcinoma in subjects B002, B004, and B006. Molecular marker subtype expression is shown below each image. Fluorescence signal, corresponding to lighter and brighter areas in the NIR images, is indicative of the presence of Compound 76 in tumor tissues. Compound 76 was detected in subjects with IDC and fluorescence signal was not hindered by expression or lack of expression of ER or PR. A seven-fold difference in fluorescence signal between tumor and non-tumor regions was observed in the subject with triple-negative breast cancer.

Treatment of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Breast Cancer with a Peptide-Active Agent Conjugate

This example describes the use of chlorotoxin variants described herein to treat invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer. A peptide of the disclosure is expressed recombinantly or chemically synthesized and then is conjugated to a cytotoxic drug, such as lapatinib, doxorubicin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, paclitaxel, capecitabine, ixabepilone, methotrexate, or 5-fluorouracil. The cytotoxic drug is conjugated to SEQ ID NO: 9 peptide at K27. Alternatively, the cytotoxic drug is conjugated to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 peptide. Invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer is targeted by the conjugate, and therefore, the conjugate is administered to a human or animal to treat invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer.

Treatment of Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Breast Cancer with a Peptide-Active Agent Conjugate

This example describes the use of chlorotoxin variants described herein to treat lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer. A peptide of the disclosure is expressed recombinantly or chemically synthesized and then is conjugated to a radioactive moiety or a radiosensitizer. The cytotoxic drug is conjugated to SEQ ID NO: 9 peptide at K27. Alternatively, the cytotoxic drug is conjugated to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-SEQ ID NO: 481 peptide. Lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer is targeted by the conjugate, and therefore, the conjugate is administered to a human or animal to treat lobular carcinoma in situ breast cancer.