68Ga-Labeled Dimeric Cyclic Peptide for Nectin-4-Targeted PET Imaging: From Preclinical Evaluation to First-in-Human Imaging in Breast Cancer.

Nectin-4 is an attractive target for molecular imaging and targeted therapy because of its overexpression in multiple malignancies. We developed a nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (nectin-4)-targeted 68Ga-labeled dimeric cyclic peptide PET tracer, [68Ga]Ga-TDN1, for noninvasive imaging of nectin-4 expression.

Methods

TDN1 was generated by click chemistry to conjugate 2 nectin-4-binding bicyclic peptides and was radiolabeled with 68Ga. Binding affinity was assessed by surface plasmon resonance. Target specificity and tumor-targeting ability were evaluated by cell uptake, blocking, small-animal PET/CT, and biodistribution studies in nectin-4-positive and nectin-4-negative tumor models. [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 was further compared with [68Ga]Ga-N188 in preclinical models. After preclinical evaluation, [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 PET/CT was investigated in a pilot first-in-human study in 6 patients with breast cancer and directly compared with [18F]FDG PET/CT.

Results

TDN1 showed high affinity for nectin-4 (K D = 1.92 × 10-10 M). In preclinical studies, [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 showed specific uptake in nectin-4-positive cells and tumors, low uptake in nectin-4-negative models, and marked reduction in uptake under blocking conditions. Compared with [68Ga]Ga-N188, [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 showed higher tumor uptake and longer retention across multiple nectin-4-positive xenografts. In the pilot clinical study, [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 was well-tolerated and showed favorable biodistribution and dosimetry. [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 PET/CT revealed imaging performance comparable to that of [18F]FDG PET/CT for primary tumors and most nodal metastases and demonstrated higher uptake and improved lesion detection in bone and liver metastases in selected patients. [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 was a clinically translatable nectin-4-targeted PET tracer with high affinity, favorable pharmacokinetics, and specific tumor uptake. Preclinical and pilot clinical results supported further clinical evaluation of [68Ga]Ga-TDN1 for noninvasive imaging of nectin-4 expression, particularly for assessment of metastatic disease.