Monitoring In Vivo Performances of Protein-Drug Conjugates Using Site-Selective Dual Radiolabeling and Ex Vivo Digital Imaging

J Med Chem. 2022 May 12;65(9):6953-6968. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00401. Epub 2022 May 2.

Abstract

In preclinical models, the development and optimization of protein-drug conjugates require accurate determination of the plasma and tissue profiles of both the protein and its conjugated drug. To this aim, we developed a bioanalytical strategy based on dual radiolabeling and ex vivo digital imaging. By combining enzymatic and chemical reactions, we obtained homogeneous dual-labeled anti-MMP-14 Fabs (antigen-binding fragments) conjugated to monomethyl auristatin E where the protein scaffold was labeled with carbon-14 (14C) and the conjugated drug with tritium (3H). These antibody-drug conjugates with either a noncleavable or a cleavable linker were then evaluated in vivo. By combining liquid scintillation counting and ex vivo dual-isotope radio-imaging, it was possible not only to monitor both components simultaneously during their circulation phase but also to quantify accurately their amount accumulated within the different organs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Immunoconjugates*

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Immunoconjugates