Formulation development and manufacturing of a gastrin/CCK-2 receptor targeting peptide as an intermediate drug product for a clinical imaging study

Eur J Pharm Sci. 2007 Jun;31(2):102-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2007.02.007. Epub 2007 Feb 23.

Abstract

A DOTA-gastrin analogue (APH070) which, when labelled with (111)In, has high affinity for the gastrin/CCK-2 receptor (3nM) and low tumour to kidney ratio in animal models, has been formulated and manufactured for a clinical study. Oxidation of the peptide methionine residue greatly reduces receptor affinity, therefore development work focused on producing a stable intermediate drug product (iDP) whilst ensuring that the formulation, container, closure and manufacturing process did not inhibit the extremely sensitive radiolabelling reaction (itself a source of oxidation). Stress testing revealed that APH070 was stable at 2-8 degrees C at pH 6-9. Addition of an antioxidant (monothioglycerol) to the peptide formulation reduced stability when compared to buffer alone. Use of FluroTec (4023/50) stoppers (rather than FluroTec Plus (4110/40)) increased both the stability and radiolabelling efficiency of APH070. Long term stability (6 months) of the final formulation (1mg/ml APH070 in 0.01 M pH 7.2 phosphate buffer) stored at 5 degrees C in type I glass vials with FluroTec (4023/50) stoppers was 98.6+/-0.2% and 98.4+/-0.1% for upright and inverted samples, respectively. Clinical scale radiolabelling of the final formulation routinely achieves the specification of >85% (111)In-APH070 (unoxidised) stable for up to 2h after dilution with 0.9% w/v saline solution. Specific uptake of the radiopharmaceutical in CCK-2R-expressing AR42J tumours in nude mice has been demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Packaging*
  • Drug Stability
  • Drug Storage
  • Gastrins / chemical synthesis*
  • Gastrins / metabolism
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Indium Radioisotopes*
  • Isotope Labeling*
  • Male
  • Methionine / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemical synthesis*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / metabolism
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B / metabolism*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Solubility
  • Solutions
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods*
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • APH070
  • Gastrins
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Oligopeptides
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B
  • Solutions
  • Methionine