Monoclonal antibody-tagged receptor-targeted contrast agents for detection of cancers

Oral cancer and precancer overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and monoclonal antibodies against EGFR coupled to photoactive dyes may have a potential both as diagnostic and treatment modalities for oral premalignancy. We asked whether an anti-EGFR Mab (C225) conjugated with the fluorescent dye indocyanine Cy5.5 could detect dysplastic changes in the hamster cheek pouch carcinogenesis model. Secondly, we tested whether the same antibody conjugated with the photosensitizer chlorin(e6) could be used together with illumination to reduce levels of expression of EGFR as evaluated by the immunophotodetection procedure. Increased fluorescence appeared to correlate with development of premalignancy when the C225-Cy5.5 conjugate was used. Areas with increased fluorescence signal were found in carcinogen-treated but clinically normal cheek pouches, that revealed dysplastic changes by histology. The immunophotodetection procedure was carried out after photoimmunotherapy with the C225-ce6 conjugate, and showed a significant reduction in fluorescence in the illuminated compared to non-illuminated areas in the carcinogen-treated but not the normal cheek pouch. The results demonstrate that the use of anti-EGFR Mab targeted photoactive dyes may serve as a feedback controlled optical diagnosis and therapy procedure for oral premalignant lesions.