Biodistribution Analyses of a Near-Infrared, Fluorescently Labeled, Bispecific Monoclonal Antibody Using Optical Imaging

Comp Med. 2016 Apr;66(2):90-9.

Abstract

In recent years, biodistribution analyses of pharmaceutical compounds in preclinical animal models have become an integral part of drug development. Here we report on the use of optical imaging biodistribution analyses in a mouse xenograft model to identify tissues that nonspecifically retained a bispecific antibody under development. Although our bispecific antibody bound both the epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin growth factor 1 receptor are expressed on H358, nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma cells, the fluorescence from labeled bispecific antibody was less intense than expected in xenografted tumors. Imaging analyses of live mice and major organs revealed that the majority of the Alexa Fluor 750 labeled bispecific antibody was sequestered in the liver within 2 h of injection. However, results varied depending on which near-infrared fluorophore was used, and fluorescence from the livers of mice injected with bispecific antibody labeled with Alexa Fluor 680 was less pronounced than those labeled with Alexa Fluor 750. The tissue distribution of control antibodies remained unaffected by label and suggests that the retention of fluorophores in the liver may differ. Given these precautions, these results support the incorporation of optical imaging biodistribution analyses in biotherapeutic development strategies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / immunology
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Discovery
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Optical Imaging
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
  • Succinimides
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Alexa Fluor 750
  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Succinimides
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors