PET Imaging Study of 68Ga-NB381 in Multiple Myeloma

Official title

Clinical PET Imaging Evaluation of 68Ga-NB381 Probe in Multiple Myeloma

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) predominantly affects the elderly, often presenting insidiously and with a rising incidence rate. Current diagnostic methods primarily rely on invasive bone marrow biopsies, which can lead to false-negative results if the biopsy site is improperly chosen. CD38 is significantly overexpressed on the surface of malignant plasma cells in MM, making it a characteristic tumor biomarker for this disease. Addressing the limitations in specificity and sensitivity of traditional PET imaging agents, this project is dedicated to developing a new type of nanobody PET/CT imaging probe, 68Ga-NB381, which possesses high affinity and targets CD38. This probe, which is an intellectual property of our institution, aims to enhance the accuracy and specificity of early MM diagnosis. In terms of clinical evaluation, the project will implement a comprehensive assessment process including case selection, collection of baseline information, high-precision imaging, expert-level image interpretation, and follow-up studies, comparing directly with traditional 18F-FDG imaging to thoroughly verify the specificity and safety of 68Ga-NB381. This lays the groundwork for the clinical translation of this radiopharmaceutical in China. Furthermore, the project contributes to formulating more effective precision treatment plans based on CD38 expression levels and provides evidence for monitoring the therapeutic effects of daratumumab, a drug also targeting CD38. This makes the project of significant academic value and clinical importance, thus promoting the development of personalized treatment strategies.

Detailed description

Multiple myeloma (MM) commonly occurs in the elderly and often remains undetected until it reaches an advanced stage. With the aging population in China, the incidence of MM is on the rise, now surpassing that of acute leukemia. Clinically, MM is characterized by bone destruction and lacks specificity; diagnosis primarily relies on bone marrow biopsies that detect an increase in clonal plasma cells, which are invasive and can yield false-negative results if the biopsy site is improperly selected. CD38 is significantly overexpressed on the surface of malignant plasma cells in MM, making it a characteristic tumor biomarker for MM.

As the incidence of malignant tumors in China continues to increase, so does the clinical demand for radiopharmaceuticals. Addressing the limitations in the targeting of 18F-FDG in PET imaging, the development of new targeted nuclear medicine molecular probes is of significant academic value and clinical importance, particularly in monitoring the therapeutic effects of the CD38-targeted nanobody NB381, which offers unique advantages. This project uses a nanobody with high affinity for CD38 as the targeting moiety for the radiopharmaceutical, exploring the diagnostic efficiency of 68Ga-NB381 in patients with MM exhibiting high CD38 expression. This not only provides a basis for the early diagnosis of MM but also allows for the formulation of effective precision treatment strategies based on the CD38 expression profile in MM patients.

68Ga-NB381, a new CD38-targeted molecular probe labeled with 68Ga, can be used for the diagnosis and research of various malignancies expressing high levels of CD38, including MM. The probe is conjugated with 68Ga3+ using TOHP as a bifunctional chelator, with a simple labeling process that does not require purification, offering high in-vivo stability and significant radioactive accumulation in tumor sites in mouse models, resulting in superior imaging outcomes. This project will complete the automation of the 68Ga-NB381 labeling process and conduct quality control studies on the resulting radiopharmaceutical injection solution, establishing quality standards for this new PET probe and laying the foundation for its clinical translation in China. The project aims to provide 68Ga-NB381 PET/CT imaging studies to support the early diagnosis of CD38 high-expression malignancies, the formulation of treatment plans, and the assessment of therapeutic efficacy.

Interventions

• Drug 68Ga-NB381
  Lei Kang from Peking University First Hospital and Bing Jia's team from the School of Basic Medical Sciences at Peking University have developed a targeted CD38 nanobody sequence using genetic engineering technology. They have optimized its structure, functionalized it with labeling, and conducted imaging and other evaluations, ultimately producing the CD38-targeted nuclear medicine small molecule diagnostic and therapeutic agent-68Ga-labeled nanobody NB381. The post-labeling quality control of

Primary outcome measures

• Specificity and Binding Efficiency of 68Ga-NB381 in CD38 Positive Tumors [Time frame: For a single patient, imaging and analysis will be conducted within 24 hours post-injection; follow-up assessments for stability and biodistribution will be conducted at 1 week post-injection.]
• Baseline Pathological Characteristics: Histopathology, Flow Cytometry, and Immunohistochemistry [Time frame: Baseline (within 28 days prior to first dose of study intervention)]

Secondary outcome measures (3)

• Baseline Disease Characterization: International Staging System (ISS) Stage and Immunofixation Electrophoresis (IFE) Type [Time frame: Baseline (within 28 days prior to first dose of study intervention)]
• Baseline Laboratory Assessments: Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Myeloma-Specific Biomarkers [Time frame: Baseline (within 28 days prior to first dose of study intervention)]
• Treatment Response Assessment per IMWG Criteria [Time frame: End of Cycle 2 (approximately 2 months after first dose) and End of Cycle 4 (approximately 4 months after first dose)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Patients suspected of multiple myeloma who are scheduled to undergo bone marrow aspiration or tissue biopsy within the next 3 months; aged between 18 and 90 years; participants must fully understand and voluntarily participate in this study, and sign an informed consent form; must be able to independently comply with the examination procedures.
• Confirmed symptomatic multiple myeloma patients; aged over 18 years; participants must fully understand and voluntarily participate in this study, and sign an informed consent form; must be able to independently comply with the examination procedures.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women
• Individuals who cannot understand the examination process or are unable to cooperate.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

N/A

Model

Sequential

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Diagnostic

Study locations

China · 1 center

• Peking University First Hospital — Beijing

Publications

• Kang L, Jiang D, England CG, Barnhart TE, Yu B, Rosenkrans ZT, Wang R, Engle JW, Xu X, Huang P, Cai W. ImmunoPET imaging of CD38 in murine lymphoma models using 89Zr-labeled daratumumab. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2018 Jul;45(8):1372-1381. doi: 10.1007/s00259-018-3941-3. Epub 2018 Feb 15. PMID 29450576
• Kang L, Li C, Rosenkrans ZT, Huo N, Chen Z, Ehlerding EB, Huo Y, Ferreira CA, Barnhart TE, Engle JW, Wang R, Jiang D, Xu X, Cai W. CD38-Targeted Theranostics of Lymphoma with 89Zr/177Lu-Labeled Daratumumab. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2021 Mar 15;8(10):2001879. doi: 10.1002/advs.202001879. eCollection 2021 May. PMID 34026426
• Kang L, Li C, Yang Q, Sutherlin L, Wang L, Chen Z, Becker KV, Huo N, Qiu Y, Engle JW, Wang R, He C, Jiang D, Xu X, Cai W. 64Cu-labeled daratumumab F(ab')2 fragment enables early visualization of CD38-positive lymphoma. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2022 Apr;49(5):1470-1481. doi: 10.1007/s00259-021-05593-9. Epub 2021 Oct 22. PMID 34677626
• Kang L, Li C, Rosenkrans ZT, Engle JW, Wang R, Jiang D, Xu X, Cai W. Noninvasive Evaluation of CD20 Expression Using 64Cu-Labeled F(ab')2 Fragments of Obinutuzumab in Lymphoma. J Nucl Med. 2021 Mar;62(3):372-378. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.120.246595. Epub 2020 Aug 21. PMID 32826320

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06385652 · PekingUFH-MM-NB381

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗