Detection of pulmonary metastases with the novel radiolabeled molecular probe, (99m)Tc-RRL.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To improve the detection of pulmonary metastases, experimental blood-borne pulmonary metastasis mouse models were established using three intravenously administered cell lines. In a previous study we demonstrated that (99m)Tc-radiolabeled arginine-arginine-leucine (RRL) could be used to non-invasively image malignant tumors.

METHODS:

(99m)Tc-RRL was prepared and injected intravenously in mice with pulmonary metastases that arose from the intravenous injection of HepG2, B16, and Hela cells. The bio-distribution and imaging of (99m)Tc-RRL were determined in different pulmonary metastases mouse models and in normal mice.

RESULTS:

(99m)Tc-RRL exhibited higher uptake values in the lungs of pulmonary metastatic mice compared to normal mice (P<0.05; 3.92±0.48% ID/g 2 h post-injection and 3.89±0.36% ID/g 4 h post-injection in metastatic hepatic carcinoma [HepG2]-bearing lungs; 5.49±0.84% ID/g 2 h post-injection and 5.11±0.75% ID/g 4 h post-injection in metastatic melanoma [B16]-bearing lungs; 3.72±0.52% ID/g 2 h post-injection and 3.51±0.35% ID/g 4 h post-injection in metastatic cervical carcinoma [Hela]-bearing lungs; 2.38±0.20% ID/g 2 h post-injection and 2.11±0.24% ID/g 4 h post-injection in normal lungs). The pulmonary metastatic lesions were clearly visualized using (99m)Tc-RRL.

CONCLUSIONS:

(99m)Tc-RRL exhibited favorable metastatic tumor targeting and imaging properties, thus highlighting its potential as an effective imaging probe for detection of pulmonary metastases. (99m)Tc-RRL can be used as a reasonable supplement to (18)F-FDG imaging in the non-invasive imaging of tumor angiogenesis.

• Authors: Ning Yao, Ping Yan, Rong-Fu Wang, Chun-Li Zhang, Chao Ma, Xue-Qi Chen, Qian Zhao, Pan Hao
• Journal: International journal of clinical and experimental medicine (Int J Clin Exp Med) Vol. 8 Issue 2 Pg. 1726-36 ( 2015) ISSN: 1940-5901 [Print] United States
• PMID: 25932101 (Publication Type: Journal Article)