ADAM17-overexpressing breast cancer cells selectively targeted by antibody-toxin conjugates

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2013 Mar;62(3):411-21. doi: 10.1007/s00262-012-1346-x. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

Abstract

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) is significantly upregulated not only in malignant cells but also in the pro-inflammatory microenvironment of breast cancer. There, ADAM17 is critically involved in the processing of tumor-promoting proteins. Therefore, ADAM17 appears to be an attractive therapeutic target to address not only tumor cells but also the tumor-promoting environment. In a previous study, we generated a monoclonal anti-ADAM17 antibody (A300E). Although showing no complement-dependent cytotoxicity or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, the antibody was rapidly internalized by ADAM17-expressing cells and was able to transport a conjugated toxin into target cells. As a result, doxorubicin-coupled A300E or Pseudomonas exotoxin A-loaded A300E was able to kill ADAM17-expressing cells. This effect was strictly dependent on the presence of ADAM17 on the surface of target cells. As a proof of principle, both immunotoxins killed MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in an ADAM17-dependent manner. These data suggest that the use of anti-ADAM17 monoclonal antibodies as a carrier might be a promising new strategy for selective anti-cancer drug delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / immunology*
  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism
  • ADAM17 Protein
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotoxins / therapeutic use*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunotoxins
  • Doxorubicin
  • Complement System Proteins
  • ADAM Proteins
  • ADAM17 Protein
  • ADAM17 protein, human