Tissue distribution and tumor uptake of folate receptor-targeted epothilone folate conjugate, BMS-753493, in CD2F1 mice after systemic administration

To assess targeting of an epothilone folate conjugate (BMS-753493) to the folate receptor (FR)-overexpressed tumor in mice bearing both FR+ and FR- tumors, a series of experiments were conducted by quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) and LC-MS/MS following i.v. administration of BMS-753493 or its active moiety, BMS-748285 in mice bearing FR+ (98M109) and FR- (M109) tumors. QWBA showed [H]BMS-753493-derived radioactivity was extensively distributed to various tissues. The FR over-expressing 98M109 tumors showed consistently higher level of radioactivity than FR-negative tumors (., M109 tumors) up to 48 h post dose of [H]BMS-753493, despite the magnitude of difference between the tumors is relatively small (generally 3~5-fold). The radioactivity level in 98M109 tumors was 2~12-fold of normal tissues except intestine/content at 48 h post dose. No selective radioactivity uptake into 98M109 tumors over M109 or normal tissues was observed after i.v. administration of the active epothilone, [H]BMS-748285. LC-MS/MS measurements demonstrated that the concentrations of BMS-748285, presumably from hydrolysis of the folate conjugate, in 98M109 tumors were greater than those in M109 tumors after i.v. administration of BMS-753493 (2-3-fold) whereas no differential uptake in the tumors following BMS-748285 administration. Those data were consistent with radioactivity determinations. Those results demonstrated that the folate conjugation in BMS-753493 enabled moderately preferential distribution of the active epothilone to FR over-expressing 98M109 tumors, thereby supporting targeted delivery of cytotoxics through the folate receptor.

Modern Interpretation of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Predominantly Osteoclastogenic Stromal Tumor

Owing to striking features of numerous multinucleated cells and bone destruction, giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone, often called as osteoclastoma, has drawn major attractions from orthopaedic surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists. The name GCT or osteoclastoma gives a false impression of a tumor comprising of proliferating osteoclasts or osteoclast precursors. The underlying mechanisms for excessive osteoclastogenesis are intriguing and GCT has served as an exciting disease model representing a paradigm of osteoclastogenesis for bone biologists. The modern interpretation of GCT is predominantly osteoclastogenic stromal cell tumors of mesenchymal origin. A diverse array of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines disrupts osteoblastic differentiation and promotes the formation of excessive multi-nucleated osteoclastic cells. Pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines such as receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as well as monocyte-recruiting chemokines such as stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 participate in unfavorable osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction. This model represents a self-sufficient osteoclastogenic paracrine loop in a localized area. Consistent with this paradigm, a recombinant RANK-Fc protein and bisphosphonates are currently being tried for GCT treatment in addition to surgical excision and conventional topical adjuvant therapies.