Abstract 5045: NTSR1-targeted alpha therapeutic [Ac-225]-FPI-2059 induces growth inhibition in a preclinical colorectal tumor model
Authors: Mahammad Saleemulla , Broqueza Jaline , Theriault Brigitte L. , Forbes John , Leamon Christopher P. , Valliant John 
Published: April 2023

Background: Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) is overexpressed in multiple cancer indications that include pancreatic, colorectal and prostate cancers, all of which have limited therapeutic treatment options and unmet medical need. Fusion is developing novel targeted alpha therapeutics (TATs) that enable the specific delivery of high energy alpha particles (actinium-225; [225Ac]) to tumor cells while sparing surrounding normal tissues. The alpha radiation released by TATs causes cell damage through the induction of multiple double-stranded DNA breaks leading to tumor cell death. Here, we describe the therapeutic efficacy of an [225Ac]-conjugated, NTSR1 targeting small molecule in a colorectal cancer tumor model.

Materials and Methods: CT26 colorectal cancer cells overexpressing murine NTSR1 (mNTSR1) were generated by lentiviral transduction. Selected cells were evaluated for stable mNTSR1 expression by an in vitro radioligand binding assay and subsequently implanted subcutaneously into Balb/c mice for in vivo evaluations. FPI-2056 (parent compound) was radiolabeled with either lutetium-177 ([177Lu]-FPI-2057) or actinium-225 ([225Ac]-FPI-2059). Biodistribution assessment studies were conducted in mice bearing CT26-mNTSR1 tumors dosed intravenously with [177Lu]-FPI-2057. Therapeutic efficacy studies were conducted by intravenous administration of single doses of 0.185 - 5.55 MBq/kg of [225Ac]-FPI-2059 (0.1-3 µCi) to animals bearing CT26-mNTSR1 tumors, followed by tumor growth monitoring for 50 days. Study endpoints included tumor volume measurements and impact on animal health status.

Results: Evaluation of [177Lu]-FPI-2057 biodistribution and excretion revealed rapid renal clearance via urine with a clearance from the blood by 24 h. Uptake of [177Lu]-FPI-2057 was detected in the CT26-mNTSR1 tumors with a maximum concentration of 7.0 %ID/g at 6 h post-injection, dropping to 4.6 and 2.8 %ID/g at 24 and 48 h post-injection, with 20-fold higher uptake in the tumor vs. blood levels at both 24 and 48h time points. Therapeutic administration of a single dose of [225Ac]-FPI-2059 resulted in dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition at doses above 1.85 MBq/kg of [225Ac]-FPI-2059 (1 μCi), which translated into increased survival compared to control animals.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that targeted delivery of [225Ac]-FPI-2059 to NTSR1 expressing tumors results in significant growth inhibition and enhanced survival, thereby providing promising preclinical evidence to support the clinical development of [225Ac]-FPI-2059.

Citation Format: Saleemulla Mahammad, Jaline Broqueza, Brigitte L. Theriault, John Forbes, Christopher P. Leamon, John Valliant. NTSR1-targeted alpha therapeutic [Ac-225]-FPI-2059 induces growth inhibition in a preclinical colorectal tumor model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5045.