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Comparison of the in vivo biodistributions of αvβ6 binding agents for PET imaging applications

Swift, Emma A., Paisey, Stephen J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2274-3708, Phesse, Toby J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9568-4916, Marshall, John F., Parker, Alan L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9302-1761 and Bayliss, Rebecca J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3324-957X 2026. Comparison of the in vivo biodistributions of αvβ6 binding agents for PET imaging applications. Molecular Therapy Oncology 34 (2) , 201236. 10.1016/j.omton.2026.201236

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Abstract

Expression of the αvβ6 integrin is upregulated on multiple solid epithelial tumours whilst this integrin is largely absent on the healthy human epithelium. In the present study, we sought to compare the in vivo biodistributions of three αvβ6-selective agents that could be used for the PET-based detection of malignancies expressing this integrin. A streptavidin-coupled αvβ6-binding peptide (streptavidin-A20), an anti-αvβ6 monoclonal antibody (620W.7) and an αvβ6-targeted protein, derived from a modified adenovirus 5 receptor binding domain (Ad5.KO1.A20), were radiolabelled with [89Zr] and intravenously injected into mice bearing bilateral αvβ6-positive and -negative melanoma xenografts. Micro-PET imaging was performed at 0.33, 24, 48, 72 and (620W.7 group only) 144 h post-injection. Streptavidin-A20-based radiotracers preferentially accumulated in αvβ6-positive tumours, achieving >3.4:1 A375-β6:A375 activity ratios between 24 and 72 h post-injection, with off-target uptake restricted to the kidneys. 620W.7 exhibited roughly 2-fold greater accumulation in A375-β6 than A375 tumours, with lower levels of renal retention, and greater activity detected in the liver and spleen. Despite having demonstrated selective binding to αvβ6-expressing cells in vitro, the Ad5.KO1.A20 protein failed to selectively traffic to tumours expressing this integrin in vivo. Nevertheless, Streptavidin-A20 and 620W.7 demonstrated promise as αvβ6-selective agents for in vivo applications.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Schools > Medicine
ISSN: 2950-3299
Funders: Cancer Research UK
Projects: C52915/A29104
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 16 May 2026
Date of Acceptance: 11 May 2026
Last Modified: 18 Aug 2026 10:15
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/187025

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