Preclinical therapy of breast cancer with a radioiodinated humanized anti-EGP-1 monoclonal antibody: advantage of a residualizing iodine radiolabel

A humanized monoclonal antibody (MAb), hRS7, labeled with 131I-IMP-R4, was evaluated for the preclinical radioimmunotherapy (RAIT) of breast cancer. 131I-IMP-R4 is an improved residualizing form of 131I that overcomes the short tumor residence time associated with conventionally radioiodinated MAbs. RS7, an internalizing MAb, recognizes epithelial glycoprotein-1, which is highly expressed in the carcinomas of breast, lung, ovary, and prostate. A humanized version of RS7 was generated by CDR-grafting and transfection. In vivo experiments were carried out in nude mice bearing subcutaneous MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer xenografts. Therapy experiments were performed using established tumors with mean tumor volume (MTV) of 0.3 cm3, and single administrations, at approximately 70% of the estimated maximum tolerated doses (MTD), of the residualizing 131I-IMP-R4-hRS7 and 131I-hRS7 prepared by the conventional chloramine-T method [131I-hRS7 (CT)]. Therapeutic specificity was determined by comparison with untreated and non-specific MAb controls. hRS7 was functionally very similar to murine and chimeric RS7. A biodistribution study using 125I-IMP-R4-hRS7 and 131I-hRS7 (CT) indicated a dosimetric advantage for the former. The MTVs 8 weeks post-treatment were 20, 163, and 280% of the starting MTVs of 131I-IMP-R4-hRS7-treated, 131I-hRS7 (CT)-treated, and untreated groups, respectively. Complete remissions were seen in 5 of 11 [and 6 of 8] mice treated with 131I-IMP-R4-hRS7, and in 1 of 11 mice treated with 131I-hRS7(CT). 131I-IMP-R4-hRS7 was significantly more efficacious than 131I-hRS7 (CT) [ P = 0.01 for AUC] and the control 131I-IMP-R4-MAb. 131I-IMP-R4-hRS7 is a promising new agent for RAIT, providing significant therapeutic advantage in comparison to the conventionally 131I-labeled antibody.