Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab

Background Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are essential therapeutic options to treat solid and hematological cancers. The anti-epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab (Cet) is used for the therapy of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Anti-CRC Vδ2 cytolytic T lymphocytes can be elicited...

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Main Authors: Roberto Benelli, Alessandro Poggi, Delfina Costa, Laura Salvini, Samuele Tardito, Francesca Tosetti, Federico Villa, Maria Raffaella Zocchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2022-12-01
Series:Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
Online Access:https://jitc.bmj.com/content/10/12/e005660.full
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author Roberto Benelli
Alessandro Poggi
Delfina Costa
Laura Salvini
Samuele Tardito
Francesca Tosetti
Federico Villa
Maria Raffaella Zocchi
author_facet Roberto Benelli
Alessandro Poggi
Delfina Costa
Laura Salvini
Samuele Tardito
Francesca Tosetti
Federico Villa
Maria Raffaella Zocchi
author_sort Roberto Benelli
collection DOAJ
description Background Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are essential therapeutic options to treat solid and hematological cancers. The anti-epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab (Cet) is used for the therapy of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Anti-CRC Vδ2 cytolytic T lymphocytes can be elicited by the priming of tumor cells with the aminobisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZA) and consequent presentation of isopentenyl pyrophosphates through butyrophilin (BTN) family members such as BTN3A1 and BTN2A1. A major drawback that impairs the targeting of ZA to CRC is the bone tropism of aminobisphosphonates.Methods The phosphoric group of ZA was linked to free amino groups of Cet in the presence of imidazole following the labeling of phosphoric groups of DNA to amino groups of proteins. The generation of Cet-ZA ADC was confirmed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis. Thirteen CRC organoids were obtained with a chemically defined serum-free medium in Geltrex domes. Proliferation and activation of cytolytic activity against CRC organoids by Vδ2 T cells was detected with flow cytometry, crystal violet and cytotoxic probe assays and image analysis. Immunohistochemistry and quantification of BTN3A1 or BTN2A1 expression and the number of tumor infiltrating Vδ2 T cells in CRC were performed by automatic immunostaining, whole slide scanning and computerized analysis of digital pathology imaging.Results The novel ADC Cet-ZA was generated with a drug antibody ratio of 4.3 and displayed a reactivity similar to the unconjugated antibody. More importantly, patient-derived CRC organoids, or CRC tumor cell suspensions, could trigger the expansion of Vδ2 T cells from peripheral blood and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes when primed with Cet-ZA. Furthermore, Cet-ZA triggered Vδ2 T cell-mediated killing of CRC organoids. The expression of BTN3A1 and BTN2A1 was detected not only in CRC organoids but also in CRC specimens, together with a considerable amount of tumor infiltrating Vδ2 T cells.Conclusions These findings are proof of concept that the Cet-ZA ADC can be used to target specifically CRC organoids and may suggest a new experimental approach to deliver aminobisphosphonates to EGFR+ solid tumors.
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series Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
spelling doaj-art-9478de75c6dd41bfac3163ce2e094adb2024-11-24T05:45:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer2051-14262022-12-01101210.1136/jitc-2022-005660Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximabRoberto Benelli0Alessandro Poggi1Delfina Costa2Laura Salvini3Samuele Tardito4Francesca Tosetti5Federico Villa6Maria Raffaella Zocchi73 UOC Immunology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Liguria, Italy5 Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Liguria, ItalyMolecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, ItalyTechnologies Facilities, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy1Research Laboratory and academic Division of Rheumatology, Department of internal Medicine, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Genoa, ItalyMolecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, ItalyMolecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, ItalyDivision of Immunology, Transplants and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, ItalyBackground Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are essential therapeutic options to treat solid and hematological cancers. The anti-epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab (Cet) is used for the therapy of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Anti-CRC Vδ2 cytolytic T lymphocytes can be elicited by the priming of tumor cells with the aminobisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZA) and consequent presentation of isopentenyl pyrophosphates through butyrophilin (BTN) family members such as BTN3A1 and BTN2A1. A major drawback that impairs the targeting of ZA to CRC is the bone tropism of aminobisphosphonates.Methods The phosphoric group of ZA was linked to free amino groups of Cet in the presence of imidazole following the labeling of phosphoric groups of DNA to amino groups of proteins. The generation of Cet-ZA ADC was confirmed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis. Thirteen CRC organoids were obtained with a chemically defined serum-free medium in Geltrex domes. Proliferation and activation of cytolytic activity against CRC organoids by Vδ2 T cells was detected with flow cytometry, crystal violet and cytotoxic probe assays and image analysis. Immunohistochemistry and quantification of BTN3A1 or BTN2A1 expression and the number of tumor infiltrating Vδ2 T cells in CRC were performed by automatic immunostaining, whole slide scanning and computerized analysis of digital pathology imaging.Results The novel ADC Cet-ZA was generated with a drug antibody ratio of 4.3 and displayed a reactivity similar to the unconjugated antibody. More importantly, patient-derived CRC organoids, or CRC tumor cell suspensions, could trigger the expansion of Vδ2 T cells from peripheral blood and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes when primed with Cet-ZA. Furthermore, Cet-ZA triggered Vδ2 T cell-mediated killing of CRC organoids. The expression of BTN3A1 and BTN2A1 was detected not only in CRC organoids but also in CRC specimens, together with a considerable amount of tumor infiltrating Vδ2 T cells.Conclusions These findings are proof of concept that the Cet-ZA ADC can be used to target specifically CRC organoids and may suggest a new experimental approach to deliver aminobisphosphonates to EGFR+ solid tumors.https://jitc.bmj.com/content/10/12/e005660.full
spellingShingle Roberto Benelli
Alessandro Poggi
Delfina Costa
Laura Salvini
Samuele Tardito
Francesca Tosetti
Federico Villa
Maria Raffaella Zocchi
Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab
Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
title Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab
title_full Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab
title_fullStr Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab
title_full_unstemmed Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab
title_short Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab
title_sort targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti egfr antibody cetuximab
url https://jitc.bmj.com/content/10/12/e005660.full
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