Differential expression of surface
proteins on normal vs malignant
cells provides the rationale for the development of receptor-, antigen-,
and transporter-based, cancer-selective imaging and therapeutic agents.
However, tumors are heterogeneous, and do not always express what
can be considered reliable, tumor-selective markers. That suggests
development of more flexible targeting platforms that incorporate
multiple moieties enabling concurrent targeting to a variety of putative
markers. We report the synthesis, biochemical, in vitro, and preliminary in vivo evaluation of a new heterobivalent
(HtBv) imaging agent targeting both the prostate-specific membrane
antigen (PSMA) and integrin-αvβ3 surface markers, each of which can be overexpressed in certain tumor
epithelium and/or neovasculature. The HtBv agent was functionalized
with either 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid
(DOTA) or the commercially available IRDye800CW. DOTA-conjugated HtBv
probe 9 bound to PSMA or αvβ3 with affinities similar to those of monovalent (Mnv) compounds
designed to bind to their targets independently. In situ energy minimization experiments support a model describing the conformations
adapted by 9 that enable it to bind both targets. IRDye800-conjugated
HtBv probe 10 demonstrated target-specific binding to
either PSMA or integrin-αvβ3 overexpressing
xenografts. HtBv agents 9 and 10 may enable
dual-targeted imaging of malignant cells and tissues in an effort
to address heterogeneity that confounds many cancer-targeted imaging
agents.