Abstract 591: A novel high energy alpha-pharmaceutical: In vitro and in vivo potency of a mesothelin-targeted thorium-227 conjugate (TTC) in a model of bone disease
Authors: Hagemann Urs B. , Hagelin Else-Marie , Wickstroem Katrine , Sponheim Kristine , Smeets Roger , Karlsson Jenny , Bjerke Roger M. , Suominen Mari I. , Konkol Yvonne , Bernoulli Jenni , Rissanen Jukka , Halleen Jussi , Oedegaardstuen Liv-Ingrid , Cuthbertson Alan 
Published: July 2016

Mesothelin (MSLN) is a 40 kDa membrane-anchored glycoprotein, involved in mediating cell-cell adhesion, metastatic spread, promotion of cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Overexpression of MSLN is most prominent in mesothelioma, ovarian, lung, triple-negative breast (TNBC) and pancreatic cancers, while in healthy tissue, MSLN is confined mainly to the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum and pericardium. Several MSLN-targeting approaches are currently being investigated, including antibody drug conjugates. We describe herein a high energy, alpha-particle emitting MSLN Targeted Thorium Conjugate (MSLN-TTC).

Thorium-227 (227Th) has a half-life of 18.7 days and decays via emission of an alpha particle to radium-223 (half-life 11.4 days), a calcium-mimetic used in the treatment of CRPC [1]. The MSLN-TTC comprises an anti-mesothelin monoclonal antibody covalently linked via an amide bond to a chelator moiety possessing high affinity for thorium-227. We present data from in vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrating selective cell killing on MSLN positive cell-lines as well as in vivo efficacy in a mouse orthotopic bone xenograft model using NCI-H226 luciferase labeled cells.

Experimental procedures:

MSLN-TTC was prepared in high radiochemical yields and purity. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments were performed on the mesothelin-positive cell lines Ovcar-3 (ovarian), NCI-H226 (lung mesothelioma) and mesothelin-transfected HT29 (HT29MSLN/colorectal) cells. An in vivo model was established by orthotopic intratibial inoculation of luciferase-transfected NCI-H226 cells in athymic mice. Development of bone disease was monitored by luciferase activity and the extent of bone lesions determined by x-ray imaging and microCT.

Results:

MSLN-TTC induced specific in vitro cytotoxicity via induction of DNA double strand breaks as determined by phosphorylated histone protein H2AX. MSLN-TTC demonstrated statistical significant in vivo potency administered as a single dose of either 250 or 500 kBq/ kg in the orthotopic bone xenograft model. Animals treated with MSLN-TTC showed a) significantly reduced disease in the bone metastatic lesions b) decreased metastatic disease in the lungs and c) significant reduction in osteolytic/ osteoblastic bone lesions as evidenced by X-Ray and microCT compared to the vehicle control group. Furthermore, no significant loss in body weight was observed during the course of the study demonstrating that the MSLN-TTC was well tolerated.

The data presented support the further investigation of the MSLN-TTC in bone metastatic disease.

References:

1. Henriksen, G., et al., Targeting of osseous sites with alpha-emitting 223Ra: comparison with the beta-emitter 89Sr in mice. J Nucl Med, 2003. 44(2): p. 252-9.

Citation Format: Urs B. Hagemann, Else-Marie Hagelin, Katrine Wickstroem, Kristine Sponheim, Roger Smeets, Jenny Karlsson, Roger M. Bjerke, Mari I. Suominen, Yvonne Konkol, Jenni Bernoulli, Jukka Rissanen, Jussi Halleen, Liv-Ingrid Oedegaardstuen, Alan Cuthbertson. A novel high energy alpha-pharmaceutical: In vitro and in vivo potency of a mesothelin-targeted thorium-227 conjugate (TTC) in a model of bone disease. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 591.