Evaluation of 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) as an agent for pancreas tumor detection in mice

• Main Authors: F.N. Carlesso, L.L. Fuscaldi, R.S. Araújo, C.S. Teixeira, M.C. Oliveira, S.O.A. Fernandes, G.D. Cassali, D.C. Reis, A.L.B. Barros, V.N. Cardoso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica 2015-01-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
• Subjects: 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin; Capan-1; Scintigraphic images; Pancreas tumor; Biodistribution
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2015005054506&lng=en&tlng=en

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is important in oncology because of its high mortality rate. Deaths may be avoided if an early diagnosis could be achieved. Several types of tumors overexpress gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPr), including pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, a radiolabeled peptide derivative of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may be useful as a specific imaging probe. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) as an imaging probe for Capan-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Xenographic pancreatic tumor was developed in nude mice and characterized by histopathological analysis. Biodistribution studies and scintigraphic images were carried out in tumor-bearing nude mice. The two methods showed higher uptake by pancreatic tumor when compared to muscle (used as control), and the tumor-to-muscle ratio indicated that 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) uptake was four-fold higher in tumor cells than in other tissues. Scintigraphic images also showed a clear signal at the tumor site. The present data indicate that 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) may be useful for the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.