18F-nanobody for PET imaging of HER2 overexpressing tumors

IntroductionRadiolabeled nanobodies are exciting new probes for molecular imaging due to high affinity, high specificity and fast washout from the blood. Here we present the labeling of an anti-HER2 nanobody with 18F and its validation for in vivo assessment of HER2 overexpression.MethodsThe GMP grade anti-HER2 nanobody was labeled with the prosthetic group, N-succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate ([18F]-SFB), and its biodistribution, tumor targeting and specificity were evaluated in mouse and rat tumor models.Results[18F]FB-anti-HER2 nanobody was prepared with a 5–15% global yield (decay corrected) and a specific activity of 24.7 ± 8.2 MBq/nmol. In vivo studies demonstrated a high specific uptake for HER2 positive xenografts (5.94 ± 1.17 and 3.74 ± 0.52%IA/g, 1 and 3 h p.i.) with high tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-muscle ratios generating high contrast PET imaging. The probe presented fast clearance through the kidneys (4%IA/g at 3 h p.i.). [18F]FB-anti-HER2 nanobody is able to image HER2 expressing tumors when co-administered with the anti-HER2 therapeutic antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin), indicating the possibility of using the tracer in patients undergoing Herceptin therapy.ConclusionsThe GMP grade anti-HER2 nanobody was labeled with 18F. This new PET probe for imaging HER2 overexpression in tumors has ample potential for clinical translation.