Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts and is involved in a variety of tumor-promoting activities such as matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, chemotherapy resistance, and immunosuppression. Because FAP shows low expression in most normal organs, it presents an interesting target for imaging and endoradiotherapy. In this investigation, FAP inhibitors (FAPIs) were modified and optimized for use as theranostic tracers. Methods: FAPIs based on a quinoline structure were synthesized and characterized with respect to binding, internalization, and efflux in cells expressing human and murine FAP as well as CD26. Preclinical pharmacokinetics were determined in tumor-bearing animals with biodistribution experiments and small-animal PET. Finally, a proof-of-concept approach toward imaging and therapy was chosen for 2 patients with metastasized breast cancer. Results: Of 15 synthesized FAPIs, FAPI-04 was identified as the most promising tracer for clinical application. Compared with the previously published ligand, FAPI-02, FAPI-04 showed excellent stability in human serum, higher affinity for FAP as opposed to CD26, and slower excretion in vitro. In vivo, a higher SUV was reached in tumor-bearing animals, leading to larger areas under the curve as calculated from biodistribution experiments. Finally, PET/CT scans with (68)Ga-FAPI-04 in 2 patients with metastasized breast cancer revealed high tracer uptake in metastases and a reduction in pain symptoms after therapy with a considerably low dose of (90)Y-FAPI-04. Conclusion: FAPI-04 represents a promising tracer for both diagnostic imaging and, possibly, targeted therapy of malignant tumors with a high content of activated fibroblasts, such as breast cancer.
The tumor stroma, which accounts for a large part of the tumor mass, represents an attractive target for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic compounds. Here, the focus is notably on a subpopulation of stromal cells, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts, which are present in more than 90% of epithelial carcinomas, including pancreatic, colon, and breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts feature high expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is not detectable in adult normal tissue but is associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. Methods: We developed an iodinated and a DOTA-coupled radiotracer based on a FAP-specific enzyme inhibitor (FAPI) and evaluated them in vitro using uptake, competition, and efflux studies as well as confocal microscopy of a fluorescence-labeled variant. Furthermore, we performed imaging and biodistribution studies on tumor-bearing animals. Finally, proof of concept was realized by imaging patients with (68)Ga-labeled FAPI. Results: Both FAPIs showed high specificity, affinity, and rapid internalization into FAP-expressing cells in vitro and in vivo. Biodistribution studies on tumor-bearing mice and on the first cancer patients demonstrated high intratumoral uptake of the tracer and fast body clearance, resulting in high-contrast images and negligible exposure of healthy tissue to radiation. A comparison with the commonly used radiotracer (18)F-FDG in a patient with locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma revealed that the new FAP ligand was clearly superior. Conclusion: Radiolabeled FAPIs allow fast imaging with very high contrast in tumors having a high stromal content and may therefore serve as pantumor agents. Coupling of these molecules to DOTA or other chelators allows labeling not only with (68)Ga but also with therapeutic isotopes such as (177)Lu or (90)Y.
G protein-coupled receptors represent the largest superfamily of cell membrane-spanning receptors. We used allosteric small molecules as a novel approach to better understand conformational changes underlying the inactive-to-active switch in native receptors. Allosteric molecules bind outside the orthosteric area for the endogenous receptor activator. The human muscarinic M(2) acetylcholine receptor is prototypal for the study of allosteric interactions. We measured receptor-mediated G protein activation, applied a series of structurally diverse muscarinic allosteric agents, and analyzed their cooperative effects with orthosteric receptor agonists. A strong negative cooperativity of receptor binding was observed with acetylcholine and other full agonists, whereas a pronounced negative cooperativity of receptor activation was observed with the partial agonist pilocarpine. Applying a newly synthesized allosteric tool, point mutated receptors, radioligand binding, and a three-dimensional receptor model, we found that the deviating allosteric/orthosteric interactions are mediated through the core region of the allosteric site. A key epitope is M(2)Trp(422) in position 7.35 that is located at the extracellular top of transmembrane helix 7 and that contacts, in the inactive receptor, the extracellular loop E2. Trp 7.35 is critically involved in the divergent allosteric/orthosteric cooperativities with acetylcholine and pilocarpine, respectively. In the absence of allosteric agents, Trp 7.35 is essential for receptor binding of the full agonist and for receptor activation by the partial agonist. This study provides first evidence for a role of an allosteric E2/transmembrane helix 7 contact region for muscarinic receptor activation by orthosteric agonists.
