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Published on: June 23, 2022
First-in-Human Evaluation of Site-Specifically Labeled 89Zr-Pertuzumab in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Randy Yeh1,2, Joseph A O'Donoghue3, Vetri Sudar Jayaprakasam4,2
1Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; yehr@mskcc.org.
Abstract:
Radioimmunoconjugates targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have shown potential to noninvasively visualize HER2-positive tumors. However, the stochastic approach that has been traditionally used to radiolabel these antibodies yields poorly defined and heterogeneous products with suboptimal in vivo performance. Here, we describe a first-in-human PET study on patients with HER2-positive breast cancer evaluating the safety, biodistribution, and dosimetry of 89Zr-site-specific (ss)-pertuzumab PET, a site-specifically labeled radioimmunoconjugate designed to circumvent the limitations of random stochastic lysine labeling. Methods: Six patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. Pertuzumab was site-specifically modified with desferrioxamine (DFO) via a novel chemoenzymatic strategy and subsequently labeled with 89Zr. Patients were administered 74 MBq of 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab in 20 mg of total antibody intravenously and underwent PET/CT at 1 d, 3-4 d, and 5-8 d after injection. PET imaging, whole-body probe counts, and blood draws were performed to assess the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and dosimetry. Results: 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab PET/CT was used to assess HER2 status and heterogeneity to guide biopsy and decide the next line of treatment at progression. The radioimmunoconjugate was able to detect known sites of malignancy, suggesting that these tumor lesions were HER2-positive. The optimal imaging time point was 5-8 d after administration, and no toxicities were observed. Dosimetry estimates from OLINDA showed that the organs receiving the highest doses (mean ± SD) were kidney (1.8 ± 0.5 mGy/MBq), liver (1.7 ± 0.3 mGy/MBq), and heart wall (1.2 ± 0.1 mGy/MBq). The average effective dose for 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab was 0.54 ± 0.03 mSv/MBq, which was comparable to both stochastically lysine-labeled 89Zr-DFO-pertuzumab and 89Zr-DFO-trastuzumab. One patient underwent PET/CT with both 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab and 89Zr-DFO-pertuzumab 1 mo apart, with 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab demonstrating improved lesion detection and higher tracer avidity. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the safety, dosimetry, and potential clinical applications of 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab PET/CT. 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab may detect more lesions than 89Zr-DFO-pertuzumab. Potential clinical applications include real-time evaluation of HER2 status to guide biopsy and assist in treatment decisions.
Insights
Site-specific labeling of 89Zr-pertuzumab (ss-pertuzumab) offers improved visualization of HER2-positive breast cancer tumors. This novel radioimmunoconjugate demonstrated safety and potential for guiding biopsies and treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiochemistry
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Radioimmunoconjugates targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are used for noninvasive tumor visualization.
- Traditional stochastic radiolabeling methods produce heterogeneous products with suboptimal in vivo performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety, biodistribution, and dosimetry of 89Zr-site-specific (ss)-pertuzumab PET in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
- To assess the potential of ss-pertuzumab for improved HER2-positive tumor detection compared to stochastic labeling.
Main Methods:
- Six patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer underwent PET/CT after intravenous administration of 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab.
- Site-specific modification of pertuzumab with desferrioxamine (DFO) followed by labeling with 89Zr.
- PET/CT imaging at 1, 3-4, and 5-8 days post-injection; pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and dosimetry assessments.
Main Results:
- 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab PET/CT successfully visualized known malignancy sites, indicating HER2-positive status.
- Optimal imaging was achieved 5-8 days post-administration with no observed toxicities.
- Dosimetry revealed highest organ doses to kidneys, liver, and heart wall; effective dose was comparable to stochastic labeling methods.
- One patient showed improved lesion detection and higher tracer avidity with 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab compared to 89Zr-DFO-pertuzumab.
Conclusions:
- 89Zr-ss-pertuzumab PET/CT is safe and has potential clinical applications in evaluating HER2 status.
- Site-specific labeling may improve lesion detection compared to stochastic labeling methods.
- This technique can guide biopsies and assist in treatment decisions for HER2-positive breast cancer.
