Site-Specific Dual-Labeling of a VHH with a Chelator and a Photosensitizer for Nuclear Imaging and Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of EGFR-Positive Tumors

Simple Summary Variable domains of heavy chain only antibodies are small proteins that can be used for tumor imaging and therapy upon conjugation of functional groups. As frequently used random conjugation techniques can decrease binding to the target of interest, site-specific conjugation of these functional groups is preferred. Here, we optimized site-specific conjugation of both a chelator for binding of a radiometal and a photosensitizer to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) binding VHH 7D12. We characterized this dual-labeled VHH for nuclear imaging and targeted photodynamic therapy of EGFR-expressing tumors. Abstract Variable domains of heavy chain only antibodies (VHHs) are valu…