gastrin-releasing-peptide and Neoplasms

Growth factors of the bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide (BN/GRP) family play a critical role in proliferation and progression of malignancies. Inhibitors targeting GRP signalling have been developed and tested as anticancer compounds showing promising preclinical and early phase clinical results. In this review, we will discuss the molecular signaling, expression and the functional role of BN/GRP-GRPR in different cancer models and will focus on the available strategies to target BN/GRP-GRPR in cancer treatment as well as in tumour diagnosis and follow up.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Bombesin; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Indoles; Male; Neoplasms; Peptide Fragments; Receptors, Bombesin; Signal Transduction

Nuclear medicine techniques are becoming more important in imaging oncological and infectious diseases. For metabolic imaging of these diseases, antibody and peptide imaging are currently used. In recent years peptide imaging has become important, therefore the rationale for the use of peptide imaging is described in this article. Criteria for a successful peptide tracer are a high target specificity, a high binding affinity, a long metabolic stability and a high target-to-background ratio. Tracer internalization is also beneficial. For oncological imaging, many tracers are available, most originating from regulatory peptides, but penetrating peptides are also being developed. Peptides for imaging inflammatory and infectious diseases include regulatory peptides, antimicrobial peptides and others. In conclusion, for the imaging of oncological, imflammatory and infectious diseases, many promising peptides are being developed. The ideal peptide probe is characterized by rapid and specific target localization and binding with a high tumour-to-background ratio.

Topics: Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Bombesin; Cholecystokinin; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; Isotope Labeling; Neoplasms; Peptides; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Somatostatin; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) plays an important role in cancer growth and metastasis; however, the mechanisms of how GRP affects cancer progression are not well understood. Recent studies revealed that chronic stress is a major risk factor for cancer progression, and this effect may be mediated by GRP. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms and implications of GRP linking stressor to cancer progression.. We retrieved the studies of the relationship between GRP, stress and cancers through PubMed using systematic methods to search, select, and evaluate the findings.. The results suggested that GRP can mediate the effects of stress on cancers at systemic, tissue and cellular levels: Stress elicits the secretion of GRP in the brain and GRP in turn activates the stress response pathways resulting in an elevation of stress hormones and GRP in the plasma and tissues. GRP in synergy with stress hormones stimulates the growth and invasion of cancer cells by suppressing the anti-tumor immune function and directly activating the pro-proliferative and pro-migratory signaling pathways in cancer cells.. GRP is a multi-functional peptide, which acts as a stress mediator as well as a growth factor linking stressor to cancer progression. GRP and its high-affinity receptor are useful targets for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Topics: Animals; Disease Progression; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Models, Biological; Neoplasms; Neoplastic Processes; Signal Transduction; Stress, Physiological

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian bombesin (BN), appears to be involved in the growth of several neoplasms. BN/GRP receptors (BN/GRP-Rs) are expressed in a variety of cancer cells and have limited distribution in normal human tissue. Thus inhibition of BN/GRP-Rs represents an attractive target for pharmacological treatment of some human malignancies. This review will focus on intracellular signaling pathways which have been characterized to mediate BN/GRP-dependent receptor biological effects as well as on various approaches to target BN/GRP-Rs for therapeutic and diagnostic interventions in human malignancies.

Topics: Bombesin; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Neoplasms; Receptors, Bombesin; Signal Transduction

This review will highlight recent advances in the understanding of molecular mechanisms by which mammalian bombesin receptors are regulated and which intracellular signaling pathways have been characterized to mediate agonist-dependent receptor biological effects.. Mammalian bombesin receptors have been demonstrated to be involved in a larger array of physiological and pathophysiological conditions than previously reported. Pharmacological experiments in vitro and in vivo as well as utilization of animals genetically deficient of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor demonstrated roles in memory and fear behavior, lung development and injury, small intestinal cell repair, autocrine tumor growth, and mediating signals for pruritus and penile reflexes. Intracellular signaling studies predominantly of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor owing to its frequent overexpression in some human malignancies showed that PI3 kinase activation is an important mechanism of cell proliferation. Tumor cell treatment including gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonists combined with inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor resulted in an additive effect on blocking cell proliferation. Novel molecular mechanisms of the orphan bombesin receptor subtype-3 and gastrin-releasing peptide receptor gene regulation have been elucidated.. Inhibition of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor signaling in human malignancies represents an attractive target for pharmacological treatment. Novel functions of bombesin related peptides have been identified including processes in the central nervous system, lung and intestinal tract.

Topics: Animals; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gene Expression Regulation; Homeostasis; Humans; Male; Mammals; Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Receptors, Bombesin; Signal Transduction

Angiogenesis is the production of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. This process is tightly regulated by a series of pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules in normal physiology and when this equilibrium is broken serious consequences may arise. Solid tumors are characterized by a fast growth that eventually pushes cells away from their natural source of oxygen and nutrients from the capillaries. To survive in this hypoxic environment, tumor cells secrete a variety of pro-angiogenic molecules that would elicit proliferation of new blood vessels, thus re-establishing oxygen and nutrient supply. Blockade of angiogenesis may provide a rational approach to managing tumor growth and novel strategies are being developed. The identification of new targets is of paramount importance in the search for a clinically proficient anti-angiogenic therapy. The adrenomedullin family of peptides and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) are newly identified pro-angiogenic molecules, secreted by the tumors, whose inhibition results in a considerable reduction of angiogenesis and of tumor growth in animal models. The recent identification of small molecules that reduce the angiogenic effect of these peptides opens new avenues for the development of new anti-tumorigenic drugs.

Topics: Adrenomedullin; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Angiogenic Proteins; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Biological Assay; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Neoplasms; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Peptides; Pyrimidines

Over the past 20 years, abundant evidence has been collected to suggest that gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptors play an important role in the development of a variety of cancers. In fact, the detection of GRP and the GRP receptor in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and the demonstration that anti-GRP antibodies inhibited proliferation in SCLC cell lines, established GRP as the prototypical autocrine growth factor. All forms of GRP are generated by processing of a 125-amino acid prohormone; recent studies indicate that C-terminal amidation of GRP18-27 is not essential for bioactivity, and that peptides derived from residues 31 to 125 of the prohormone are present in normal tissue and in tumors. GRP receptors can be divided into four classes, all of which belong to the 7 transmembrane domain family and bind GRP and/or GRP analogues with affinities in the nM range. Over-expression of GRP and its receptors has been demonstrated at both the mRNA and protein level in many types of tumors including lung, prostate, breast, stomach, pancreas and colon. GRP has also been shown to act as a potent mitogen for cancer cells of diverse origin both in vitro and in animal models of carcinogenesis. Other actions of GRP relevant to carcinogenesis include effects on morphogenesis, angiogenesis, cell migration and cell adhesion. Future prospects for the use of radiolabelled and cytotoxic GRP analogues and antagonists for cancer diagnosis and therapy appear promising.

Topics: Animals; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Neoplasms

Optimization of therapy for individual patients remains a goal of clinical practice. Radionuclide imaging can identify those patients who may benefit from subsequent targeted therapy by providing regional information on the distribution of the target. An ideal situation may be when the imaging and the therapeutic compounds are the same agent. Two antibodies ([ [90Y]ibritumomab, [131I]tositumomab) are now approved for the systemic radiotherapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main hurdle is to deliver higher absorbed doses to the more refractory solid tumors paying particular regard to the bone marrow toxicity. The low dose is thought to be a result of the large size of antibodies slowing delivery to the target. Peptides having high affinity to receptors expressed on cancer cells are a promising alternative. They are usually rapidly excreted from the body through renal and/or hepatobiliary excretion thus creating a prolonged accumulation of the radioactivity in the kidneys, which represents a recognized issue for systemic radiotherapy. The first radiopeptide developed was a somatostatin analogue, which led to a major breakthrough in the field. Beside the kidney issue, somatostatin use remains limited to few cancers that express receptors in sufficiently large quantities, mainly neuroendocrine tumors. The gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptor is an attractive target for development of new radiopeptides with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. This is based upon the functional expression of GRP receptors in several of the more prevalent cancers including prostate, breast, and small cell lung cancer. This review covers the efforts currently underway to develop new and clinically promising GRP-receptor specific molecules labeled with imageable and therapeutic radionuclides.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Drug Delivery Systems; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Lutetium; Neoplasms; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Bombesin

Small neuropeptides, labeled with gamma- and/or beta-emitting radionuclides, are currently being investigated for their ability to bind to cell-surface receptors, overexpressed in a wide variety of malignant tissues being, thus, potentially useful for radionuclide detection and/or therapy for tumors. Particular attention has been focused on the amphibian peptide, bombesin (BN), and the molecularly related gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). These peptides act as neurotransmitters and endocrine cancer cell-growth factors on normal tissues as well as on neoplastic cells of various origin. In recent investigations, modification of the native peptide structure has been attempted in order to obtain derivatives, which might easily be labeled with radionuclides. Thus, iodinated (I-125) BN derivatives, as well as Indium (In-111) labeled BN analogs are currently being investigated, presenting satisfactory tumor localization. Also, some new BN analogs containing a 6-carbon linker have been prepared and labeled with Rhenium-188, resulting in positive in vitro binding to prostate cancer cells. More recent studies refer to the Technetium-99m labeling of BN, performed either directly, after attaching proper technetium-chelating groups onto the BN sequence, or indirectly, by coupling BN to a preformed 99mTc-tagging ligand. Both types of conjugates were found to have a high in vitro affinity for cells with BN receptors, also presenting satisfactory in vivo uptake in experimental tumor models. Pilot clinical studies of a new BN-derived, 99mTc-labeled pentadecapeptide indicated significant uptake by breast cancer and invaded lymph nodes, as well as by prostate cancer, small-cell lung carcinoma, gastro-entero-pancreatic tumors, and others, Further studies of this new GRP derivative, as well as of other new BN-like peptides, are intensively performed internationally today.

Topics: Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Neoplasms; Radiopharmaceuticals

Work on cytotoxic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), somatostatin and bombesin, designed for targeting chemotherapy to peptide receptors on various cancers, is reviewed here as the project is at advanced stages of development and clinical trials are pending. Cytotoxic analogs of LH-RH, AN-152 and AN-207, containing doxorubicin (DOX) or 2-pyrrolino-DOX (AN-201), respectively, target LH-RH receptors and can be used for the treatment of prostatic, breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers and melanomas. AN-201 was also incorporated into the cytotoxic analog of somatostatin, AN-238, which can be targeted to receptors for somatostatin in prostatic, renal, mammary, ovarian, gastric, colorectal and pancreatic cancers as well as glioblastomas and lung cancers, suppressing the growth of these tumors and their metastases. A cytotoxic analog of bombesin AN-215, containing 2-pyrrolino-DOX, was likewise synthesized and successfully tested in experimental models of prostate cancer, small cell lung carcinoma, gastrointestinal cancers and brain tumors expressing receptors for bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide. This new class of targeted cytotoxic peptide analogs might provide a more effective therapy for various cancers.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Bombesin; Drug Delivery Systems; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Neoplasms; Receptors, Cell Surface; Somatostatin

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has been shown to be a tumour growth stimulating agent for a number of normal and human cancer cell lines. The tumour growth effect is a direct result of GRP binding to membrane G-protein coupled GRP receptors (GRP-R) on the cell surface. Available data on the role of GRP and GRP-R in human lung, prostate, breast, colorectal and gastric carcinoma are reviewed and it is suggested that radiolabelled agonists are preferable to antagonists for imaging and therapy as they appear to be internalised, yielding a higher target/background ratio. The use of rhenium or indium radiolabels for therapy may provide a new approach to GRP/bombesin expressing tumours.

Topics: Bombesin; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Neoplasms; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Bombesin

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptor (GRP-R) are frequently expressed by cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, lung, and prostate. Most studies have found that GRP and its amphibian homologue bombesin act to increase tumor cell proliferation, leading to the hypothesis that this peptide hormone is a mitogen important for the growth of various cancers. Yet GRP/GRP-R co-expression in cancer promotes the development of a well-differentiated phenotype; while multiple studies suggest that the presence of these 2 proteins confer a survival advantage. Along with recent reports showing that GRP and its receptor critically regulate aspects of colon and lung organogenesis, we argue that these proteins do not function primarily as mitogens when aberrantly expressed in cancer. Rather, we postulate that GRP/GRP-R are onco-fetal antigens that function as morphogens, with their effect on tumor cell proliferation being a component property of their ability to regulate differentiation. Thus aberrant GRP/GRP-R expression in cancer recapitulates, albeit in a dysfunctional manner, their normal role in development.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Neoplasms; Receptors, Bombesin

The use of peptide analogs for the therapy of various cancers is reviewed. Inhibition of the pituitary-gonadal axis forms the basis for oncological applications of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists and antagonists, but direct effects on tumors may also play a role. Analogs of somatostatin are likewise used for treatment of various tumors. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs have been successfully applied for the localization of tumors expressing somatostatin receptors. Studies on the role of tumoral LH-RH, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH), and bombesin/GRP and their receptors in the proliferation of various tumors are summarized, but the complete elucidation of all the mechanisms involved will require much additional work. Human tumors producing hypothalamic hormones are also discussed. Treatment of many cancers remains a major challenge, but new therapeutic modalities are being developed based on antagonists of GH-RH and bombesin, which inhibit growth factors or their receptors. Other approaches consist of the use of cytotoxic analogs of LH-RH, bombesin, and somatostatin, which can be targeted to receptors for these peptides in various cancers and their metastases. These new classes of peptide analogs should lead to a more effective treatment for various cancers.

Topics: Animals; Bombesin; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Hypothalamic Hormones; Male; Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Somatostatin

In view of non-specific toxicity of most chemotherapeutic agents against normal cells, the development of targeted chemotherapy is warranted. Efficient targeting of chemotherapeutic drugs to the cancerous area could be of great benefit for patients with advanced or metastatic tumors. Targeted cytotoxic peptide conjugates are hybrid molecules composed of a peptide carrier which binds to receptors on tumors and a cytotoxic moiety. New cytotoxic analogs of LHRH, AN-152 in which doxorubicin (DOX) is linked to [d-Lys(6)]LHRH, and AN-207 which consists of 2-pyrrolino-DOX (AN-201) coupled to the same carrier, show high-affinity binding and are much less toxic and more effective in vivo than their respective radicals in inhibiting tumor growth in LHRH receptor-positive models of human ovarian, mammary, or prostatic cancer. These results suggest that targeted cytotoxic LHRH analogs such as AN-207 could be considered for treatment of these cancers. The presence of receptors for bombesin-like peptides on a wide variety of tumors prompted us to use some of our bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonists as carrier molecules. Cytotoxic bombesin analogs, such as AN-215 containing AN-201, might find application in the treatment of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, mammary, and prostatic cancers. Since somatostatin receptors are found in various human neoplasms and the receptor subtypes to which octapeptide analogs bind with high affinity have been identified, we synthesized several cytotoxic somatostatin analogs including AN-162 and AN-238 containing DOX and 2-pyrrolino-DOX respectively, linked to octapeptide RC-121. Cytotoxic somatostatin analog AN-238 efficaciously inhibits growth of human breast or prostate cancers expressing somatostatin receptors-2 and -5 and can be used for receptor-targeted chemotherapy. Cytotoxic somatostatin analogs might also find applications for the therapy of human pancreatic, colorectal, and gastric cancer as well as brain tumors and non-SCLC. Cytotoxic compounds linked to analogs of hormonal peptides like LHRH, bombesin, and somatostatin that can be targeted to certain tumors possessing receptors for those peptides could be an important addition to oncological armamentarium.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Bombesin; Female; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, LHRH; Somatostatin

Promising cancer clinical trials results involving the disruption of early stages of cancer with intervention agents such as tamoxifen or retinoids have led to significant new research interest in developing preventative strategy for the control of epithelial cancers. Key to the efficient progress in this field is a clear understanding of the complex biology of the early stages of cancerization that proceed on the epithelial surface. Systematic analysis of the biology of strategic targets such as growth factors is one approach to this problem. Gastrin-releasing peptide is an autocrine growth factor for certain types of lung cancer cells. Mechanisms involved in the production and activation of this peptide are discussed as an example of how rational approaches to neutralization of cancer promotion biology can be achieved. The tools to monitor the success of this type of intervention also emerge from the understanding of the biology of growth factors, and intermediate end point markers that determine the presence or effects of a growth factor are attractive candidates for evaluation. Additional biologic tools reflecting the early stages of the cancer process need to be validated for use in serially evaluating the status of the relevant epithelium so that the ongoing success of a cancer intervention procedure can be established. Through this type of translational research, important applications of molecular biology may greatly improve the success of preventative strategies for cancer control.

Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Division; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Peptides

Topics: Animals; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gastrins; Growth Substances; Humans; Kinins; Neoplasms; Neuropeptides; Neurotensin; Peptides; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Vasopressins

Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptides (BN/GRP) were shown to bind selectively to cell surface receptors, stimulating the growth of various types of malignancies in murine and human models. The novel BN/GRP synthetic receptor antagonist, RC-3095, was able to produce long-lasting tumor regressions in murine and human tumor models in vitro and in vivo. Animal toxicology studies showed no detectable organ toxicity apart from local irritation at the injection site. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of the administration of RC-3095 by daily subcutaneous injections in patients with advanced and refractory solid malignancies. Twenty-five patients received RC-3095 once or twice-daily at doses ranging from 8 to 96 ug/kg. Dose was escalated in groups of 3-5 patients per dose level. The only toxicity observed was local discomfort in the injection site at the highest doses. A single dose administration of RC-3095 at the highest dose level (96 ug/kg) was tested in a clearly hypergastrinemic individual with the Zollingen-Ellison syndrome and produced a decrease in plasma gastrin down to 50% of basal levels in 6 h. There was no objective tumor responses in patients included in the study. A short-lasting minor tumor response was observed in a patient with a GRP-expressing progressive medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Due to problems with the analytical method, plasma pharmacokinetic data was obtained only from two patients included at the highest dose level. In these patients, RC-3095 reached plasma concentrations >100 ng/mL for about 8 h, which were within therapeutic levels on the basis of prior data obtained in mice and rats. The plasma elimination half-life was between 8.6-10.9 h. Due to the occurrence of local toxicity at the injection site, the dose escalation procedure could not be fully evaluated up to a maximum tolerated dose. Thus, a recommended dose of RC-3095 for Phase II trials could not be clearly established. Considering the novelty of its mechanism of action and impressive preclinical anti-tumor activity, further studies exploiting new formulations of RC-3095 for human use, such as slow-release preparations, and analogues with a more favorable pharmacokinetics are warranted.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents; Bombesin; Female; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gastrins; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Pain; Peptide Fragments; Skin

Gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), a member of the bombesin (BBN) G protein-coupled receptors, is aberrantly overexpressed in several malignant tumors, including those of the breast, prostate, pancreas, lung, and central nervous system. Additionally, it also mediates non-histaminergic itch and pathological itch conditions in mice. Thus, GRPR could be an attractive target for cancer and itch therapy. Here, we report the inactive state crystal structure of human GRPR in complex with the non-peptide antagonist PD176252, as well as two active state cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of GRPR bound to the endogenous peptide agonist gastrin-releasing peptide and the synthetic BBN analog [D-Phe

Topics: Animals; Bombesin; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Male; Mice; Neoplasms; Pruritus; Receptors, Bombesin

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and GRP receptors (GRPR) play a role in tumor angiogenesis. Recently, GRPR were found to be frequently expressed in the vasculature of a large variety of human cancers. Here, we characterize these GRPR by comparing the vascular GRPR expression and localization in a selection of human cancers with that of an established biological marker of neoangiogenesis, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor. In vitro quantitative receptor autoradiography was performed in parallel for GRPR and VEGF receptors (VEGFR) in 32 human tumors of various origins, using ¹²⁵I-Tyr-bombesin and ¹²⁵I-VEGF₁₆₅ as radioligands, respectively. Moreover, VEGFR-2 was evaluated immunohistochemically. All tumors expressed GRPR and VEGFR in their vascular system. VEGFR were expressed in the endothelium in the majority of the vessels. GRPR were expressed in a subpopulation of vessels, preferably in their muscular coat. The vessels expressing GRPR were all VEGFR-positive whereas the VEGFR-expressing vessels were not all GRPR-positive. GRPR expressing vessels were found immunohistochemically to co-express VEGFR-2. Remarkably, the density of vascular GRPR was much higher than that of VEGFR. The concomitant expression of GRPR with VEGFR appears to be a frequent phenomenon in many human cancers. The GRPR, localized and expressed in extremely high density in a subgroup of vessels, may function as target for antiangiogenic tumor therapy or angiodestructive targeted radiotherapy with radiolabeled bombesin analogs alone, or preferably together with VEGFR targeted therapy.

Topics: Autoradiography; Binding, Competitive; Bombesin; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Iodine Radioisotopes; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Protein Binding; Receptors, Bombesin; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

Bombesin (BBN) is a peptide showing high affinity for the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor. Tumors such as prostate, small cell lung cancer, breast, gastric, and colon cancer are known to over express receptors to BBN and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). The goal of this study was to evaluate a new (67)Ga radiolabeled BBN analog based on the bifunctional chelating ligand DOTA (1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid), which could be used as a tool for diagnosis of GRP receptor-positive tumors. DOTA-GABA-BBN (7-14) NH(2) was synthesized using a standard Fmoc strategy. Labeling with (67)Ga was performed at 95°C for 30 minutes in ammonium acetate buffer (pH = 4.8). Radiochemical analysis involved ITLC and HPLC methods. The stability of radiopeptide was examined in the presence of human serum at 37°C up to 24 hours. The receptor-bound internalization and externalization rates were studied in GRP receptor expressing PC-3 cells. Biodistribution of radiopeptide was studied in nude mice bearing PC-3 tumor. Labeling yield of >90% was obtained corresponding to a specific activity of approximatrly 2.6 MBq/nmol. Peptide conjugate showed good stability in the presence of human serum. The radioligand showed a good and specific internalization into PC-3 cells (16.13% ± 0.71% at 4 hours). After 4 hours, a considerable amount of activity (52.42% ± 1.86%) was externalized. In animal biodistribution studies, a receptor-specific uptake of radioactivity was observed in GRP-receptor-positive organs. After 4 hours, the uptake in mouse tumor and pancreas was 1.30% ± 0.18% ID/g (percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue) and 1.21% ± 0.13% ID/g, respectively. These data show that [(67)Ga]-DOTA-GABA-BBN (7-14) NH₂ is a specific radioligand for GRP receptor positive tumors and is a suitable candidate for clinical studies.

Topics: Animals; Bombesin; Cell Line, Tumor; Chelating Agents; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Models, Chemical; Neoplasms; Peptides; Receptors, Bombesin; Tissue Distribution; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Owing to its optimal nuclear properties, ready availability, low cost and favourable dosimetry, (99m)Tc continues to be the ideal radioisotope for medical-imaging applications. Bifunctional chelators based on a tetraamine framework exhibit facile complexation with Tc(V)O(2) to form monocationic species with high in vivo stability and significant hydrophilicity, which leads to favourable pharmacokinetics. The synthesis of a series of 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane derivatives (01-06) containing different functional groups at the 6-position for the conjugation of biomolecules and subsequent labelling with (99m)Tc is described herein. The chelator 01 was used as a starting material for the facile synthesis of chelators functionalised with OH (02), N(3) (04) and O-succinyl ester (05) groups. A straightforward and easy synthesis of carboxyl-functionalised tetraamine-based chelator 06 was achieved by using inexpensive and commercially available starting materials. Conjugation of 06 to a potent bombesin-antagonist peptide and subsequent labelling with (99m)Tc afforded the radiotracer (99m)Tc-N4-BB-ANT, with radiolabelling yields of >97% at a specific activity of 37 GBq micromol(-1). An IC(50) value of (3.7+/-1.3) nM was obtained, which confirmed the high affinity of the conjugate to the gastrin-releasing-peptide receptor (GRPr). Immunofluorescence and calcium mobilisation assays confirmed the strong antagonist properties of the conjugate. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies of (99m)Tc-N4-BB-ANT showed high and specific uptake in PC3 xenografts and in other GRPr-positive organs. The tumour uptake was (22.5+/-2.6)% injected activity per gram (% IA g(-1)) at 1 h post injection (p.i.). and increased to (29.9+/-4.0)% IA g(-1) at 4 h p.i. The SPECT/computed tomography (CT) images showed high tumour uptake, clear background and negligible radioactivity in the abdomen. The promising preclinical results of (99m)Tc-N4-BB-ANT warrant its potential candidature for clinical translation.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Bombesin; Cell Line, Tumor; Chelating Agents; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Isotope Labeling; Mice; Mice, Nude; Molecular Structure; Neoplasms; Organotechnetium Compounds; Polyamines; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

The concentrations of immunoreactive (IR) corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in 218 neuroendocrine tumors were determined by CRH radioimmunoassay. The tumors examined were 86 pancreatic endocrine tumors (PET), 22 neuroblastic tumors (NBT), 26 carcinoid tumors (CA), 24 pheochromocytomas (PHEO), 40 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) and 20 medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC). IR-CRH was detectable in 21 neuroendocrine tumors (10 PET, four NBT, three CA, two PHEO and two SCLC) at levels of 10-2,700 ng/g wet weight (9.6%). The 21 patients with these CRH-producing tumors showed no clinical symptoms suggestive of Cushing's syndrome. The levels of plasma IR-CRH extracted by immunoaffinity chromatography were < 7.5 pg/ml in five normal subjects and a patient with a neuroblastic tumor containing 55 ng/g wet weight IR-CRH, but in a patient with a thymic carcinoid tumor containing 1,000 ng/g wet weight IR-CRH, the plasma level was elevated to 180 pg/ml. This patient did not have Cushing's syndrome nor an elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level. The concentrations of nine peptides (growth hormone-releasing hormone, somatostatin, ACTH, calcitonin, gastrin-releasing peptide, glucagon, vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide tyrosine and pancreatic polypeptide) were determined in extracts of the 21 IR-CRH-producing tumors. Some of these peptides were frequently found to be produced concomitantly with CRH. The results indicate IR-CRH to be produced by various neuroendocrine tumors, but Cushing's syndrome, due to the CRH, to be very rare. The results also show that CRH-producing tumors produce multiple hormones.

Topics: Adenoma, Islet Cell; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Bombesin; Calcitonin; Carcinoid Tumor; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Chromatography, Gel; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gastrins; Humans; Hypothalamus; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Neuroblastoma; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Somatostatin; Thyroid Neoplasms; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Gastrin releasing peptide(GRP)-like immunoreactivity in human plasma was measured using radioimmunoassay of neuromedin C (NMC) in 83 healthy and 58 diseased subjects. In the healthy group, the mean value of fasting GRP-like immunoreactivity was 2.1 +/- 1.4 (mean +/- SD) pmol/L. There was a slight positive correlation between the GRP-like immunoreactivity values and aging. Postprandial serial measurements demonstrated that GRP-like immunoreactivity showed no response to a significant elevation of serum gastrin concentration. The group with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis gave the highest value, 7.1 +/- 2.1 pmol/L (p less than 0.01). There were no statistical differences between the healthy controls and groups with peptic ulcer, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus or carcinomas, although some cancer patients had a marked increase in GRP-like immunoreactivity value.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bombesin; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gastrins; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Peptic Ulcer; Peptide Fragments; Peptides; Radioimmunoassay

Neuroendocrine tumours of the lung and gut are known to possess bombesin-like immunoreactivity. The recent observation that gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), a 27 amino acid peptide isolated from the porcine intestine, may be the mammalian analogue of bombesin led us to look for this peptide in a variety of human neoplasms. Formalin-fixed tissues from 85 tumours were examined by the immunoperoxidase technique, using specific antisera to the GRP molecule (1-27) and the GRP fragment (1-16). Intense cytoplasmic GRP immunoreactivity was seen in thyroid medullary carcinomas (3/3), carcinoids of lung, pancreas, and intestine (22/36), and paragangliomas (2/3). Less frequent staining was present in pulmonary small cell (oat cell) carcinomas (1/8) and pituitary adenomas (1/6). Complete absence of immunoreactivity was observed in three phaeochromocytomas, five Merkel cell tumours, six neuroblastomas and 15 non-neuroendocrine tumours. Normal neuroendocrine cells of the thyroid (C-cells) and bronchial mucosa (Kulchitsky cells) exhibited GRP immunoreactivity; nerve fibres from all sites failed to demonstrate staining for GRP. In each positive case, the pattern of staining for GRP (1-27) and GRP (1-16) was identical, although the GRP (1-16) immunostaining was weaker. These findings indicate that bombesin immunoreactivity in human neuroendocrine cells and tumours is attributable to GRP-like molecules and that GRP is a useful marker of neuroendocrine differentiation in many tumours.

Topics: Adenoma; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Amino Acid Sequence; Bombesin; Carcinoid Tumor; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Gastrins; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Neurosecretory Systems; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Pituitary Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity (BLI) in 20 human endocrine tumors was studied using an antiserum directed toward the C-terminal region of bombesin. Additionally, plasma BLI was assayed in normal subjects and patients with known BLI-containing tumors. In 7 tumors (medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, n = 2; carcinoid of the lung, n = 3; hepatic carcinoid, n = 1; pheochromocytoma, n = 1), the BLI content ranged from 6-2000 pg/mg wet wt of tissue. Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography of tumor extracts under acid-dissociating conditions revealed 2 peaks of BLI: 1 coeluting with porcine gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and 1 with bombesin. Reverse phase ODS silica HPLC analysis of the G-50 peaks using a methanol-trifluoroacetic acid gradient showed that human tumor BLI more closely resembled porcine GRP and its C-terminal fragment GRP-(14-27) than bombesin itself. Partial tryptic digestion of the tumor GRP-like peptide generated a product which, on HPLC, was similar to GRP-(14-27). Elevated plasma BLI was detected in the peripheral circulation of three subjects and in the vessels draining the tumor metastases of one of these patients. BLI was undetectable in normal subjects. These results indicate 1) that BLI is present in and may be secreted by various human endocrine tumors, and 2) that human tumor BLI closely resembles porcine GRP and its C-terminal fragment GRP-(14-27).

Topics: Animals; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; Immune Sera; Neoplasms; Peptide Fragments; Peptides; Species Specificity; Swine