The identification and targeting of biomarkers specific to prostate cancer (PCa) could improve its detection. Given the high expression of translocator protein (TSPO) in PCa, we investigated the use of [(18)F]VUIIS1008 (a novel TSPO-targeting radioligand) coupled with positron emission tomography (PET) to identify PCa in mice and to characterize their TSPO uptake.
Pten(pc-/-), Trp53(pc-/-) prostate cancer-bearing mice (n = 9, 4-6 months old) were imaged in a 7T MRI scanner for lesion localization. Within 24 h, the mice were imaged using a microPET scanner for 60 min in dynamic mode following a retro-orbital injection of ~ 18 MBq [(18)F]VUIIS1008. Following imaging, tumors were harvested and stained with a TSPO antibody. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn around the tumor and muscle (hind limb) in the PET images. Time-activity curves (TACs) were recorded over the duration of the scan for each ROI. The mean activity concentrations between 40 and 60 min post radiotracer administration between tumor and muscle were compared.
Tumor presence was confirmed by visual inspection of the MR images. The uptake of [(18)F]VUIIS1008 in the tumors was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the muscle, where the percent injected dose per unit volume for tumor was 7.1 ± 1.6 % ID/ml and that of muscle was < 1 % ID/ml. In addition, positive TSPO expression was observed in tumor tissue analysis.
The foregoing preliminary data suggest that TSPO may be a useful biomarker of PCa. Therefore, using TSPO-targeting PET ligands, such as [(18)F]VUIIS1008, may improve PCa detectability and characterization.
Molecular imaging and biology : MIB : the official publication of the Academy of Molecular Imaging. 2017 Aug 18 [Epub ahead of print]
Mohammed N Tantawy, H Charles Manning, Todd E Peterson, Daniel C Colvin, John C Gore, Wenfu Lu, Zhenbang Chen, C Chad Quarles
Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave. S., AA 1105 MCN, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA., Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, 37208, USA., Imaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA. .