Anti-GD2-IRDye800CW as a targeted probe for fluorescence-guided surgery in neuroblastoma

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 19;10(1):17667. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74464-4.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma resection represents a major challenge in pediatric surgery, because of the high risk of complications. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) could lower this risk by facilitating discrimination of tumor from normal tissue and is gaining momentum in adult oncology. Here, we provide the first molecular-targeted fluorescent agent for FGS in pediatric oncology, by developing and preclinically evaluating a GD2-specific tracer consisting of the immunotherapeutic antibody dinutuximab-beta, recently approved for neuroblastoma treatment, conjugated to near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye IRDye800CW. We demonstrated specific binding of anti-GD2-IRDye800CW to human neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo using xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, we defined an optimal dose of 1 nmol, an imaging time window of 4 days after administration and show that neoadjuvant treatment with anti-GD2 immunotherapy does not interfere with fluorescence imaging. Importantly, as we observed universal, yet heterogeneous expression of GD2 on neuroblastoma tissue of a wide range of patients, we implemented a xenograft model of patient-derived neuroblastoma organoids with differential GD2 expression and show that even low GD2 expressing tumors still provide an adequate real-time fluorescence signal. Hence, the imaging advancement presented in this study offers an opportunity for improving surgery and potentially survival of a broad group of children with neuroblastoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzenesulfonates / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / therapeutic use*
  • Gangliosides / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / therapeutic use*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neoplasms, Experimental
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism
  • Neuroblastoma / surgery*
  • Tissue Array Analysis

Substances

  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Gangliosides
  • IRDye 800CW
  • Indoles
  • sialogangliosides