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Schelhaas S, Frohwein LJ, Wachsmuth L, Hermann S, Faber C, Schäfers KP, Jacobs AH. Voxel-Based Analysis of the Relation of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[ 18F]fluorothymidine ([ 18F]FLT) PET and Diffusion-Weighted (DW) MR Signals in Subcutaneous Tumor Xenografts Does Not Reveal a Direct Spatial Relation of These Two Parameters. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:359-364. [PMID: 34755247 PMCID: PMC9085704 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01673-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multimodal molecular imaging allows a direct coregistration of different images, facilitating analysis of the spatial relation of various imaging parameters. Here, we further explored the relation of proliferation, as measured by [18F]FLT PET, and water diffusion, as an indicator of cellular density and cell death, as measured by diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI, in preclinical tumor models. We expected these parameters to be negatively related, as highly proliferative tissue should have a higher density of cells, hampering free water diffusion. PROCEDURES Nude mice subcutaneously inoculated with either lung cancer cells (n = 11 A549 tumors, n = 20 H1975 tumors) or colorectal cancer cells (n = 13 Colo205 tumors) were imaged with [18F]FLT PET and DW-MRI using a multimodal bed, which was transferred from one instrument to the other within the same imaging session. Fiducial markers allowed coregistration of the images. An automatic post-processing was developed in MATLAB handling the spatial registration of DW-MRI (measured as apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC) and [18F]FLT image data and subsequent voxel-wise analysis of regions of interest (ROIs) in the tumor. RESULTS Analyses were conducted on a total of 76 datasets, comprising a median of 2890 data points (ranging from 81 to 13,597). Scatterplots showing [18F]FLT vs. ADC values displayed various grades of relations (Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) varied from - 0.58 to 0.49, median: -0.07). When relating PCC to tumor volume (median: 46 mm3, range: 3 mm3 to 584 mm3), lung tumors tended to have a more pronounced negative spatial relation of [18F]FLT and ADC with increasing tumor size. However, due to the low number of large tumors (> ~ 200 mm3), this conclusion has to be treated with caution. CONCLUSIONS A spatial relation of water diffusion, as measured by DW-MRI, and cellular proliferation, as measured by [18F]FLT PET, cannot be detected in the experimental datasets investigated in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Schelhaas
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Lynn Johann Frohwein
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Lydia Wachsmuth
- Translational Research Imaging Center, Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sven Hermann
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Cornelius Faber
- Translational Research Imaging Center, Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Klaus P Schäfers
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas H Jacobs
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Johanniter Hospital, Bonn, Germany
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Serkova NJ, Glunde K, Haney CR, Farhoud M, De Lille A, Redente EF, Simberg D, Westerly DC, Griffin L, Mason RP. Preclinical Applications of Multi-Platform Imaging in Animal Models of Cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1189-1200. [PMID: 33262127 PMCID: PMC8026542 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In animal models of cancer, oncologic imaging has evolved from a simple assessment of tumor location and size to sophisticated multimodality exploration of molecular, physiologic, genetic, immunologic, and biochemical events at microscopic to macroscopic levels, performed noninvasively and sometimes in real time. Here, we briefly review animal imaging technology and molecular imaging probes together with selected applications from recent literature. Fast and sensitive optical imaging is primarily used to track luciferase-expressing tumor cells, image molecular targets with fluorescence probes, and to report on metabolic and physiologic phenotypes using smart switchable luminescent probes. MicroPET/single-photon emission CT have proven to be two of the most translational modalities for molecular and metabolic imaging of cancers: immuno-PET is a promising and rapidly evolving area of imaging research. Sophisticated MRI techniques provide high-resolution images of small metastases, tumor inflammation, perfusion, oxygenation, and acidity. Disseminated tumors to the bone and lung are easily detected by microCT, while ultrasound provides real-time visualization of tumor vasculature and perfusion. Recently available photoacoustic imaging provides real-time evaluation of vascular patency, oxygenation, and nanoparticle distributions. New hybrid instruments, such as PET-MRI, promise more convenient combination of the capabilities of each modality, enabling enhanced research efficacy and throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Serkova
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
- Animal Imaging Shared Resource, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kristine Glunde
- Division of Cancer Imaging Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, and the Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chad R Haney
- Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | | | | | | | - Dmitri Simberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David C Westerly
- Animal Imaging Shared Resource, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lynn Griffin
- Department of Radiology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Ralph P Mason
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas
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Iommelli F, De Rosa V, Terlizzi C, Fonti R, Del Vecchio S. Preclinical Imaging in Targeted Cancer Therapies. Semin Nucl Med 2019; 49:369-381. [PMID: 31470932 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical imaging with radiolabeled probes can provide noninvasive tools to test the efficacy of targeted agents in tumors harboring specific genetic alterations and to identify imaging parameters that can be used as pharmacodynamics markers in cancer patients. The present review will primarily focus on preclinical imaging studies that can accelerate the clinical approval of targeted agents and promote the development of imaging biomarkers for clinical applications. Since only subgroups of patients may benefit from treatment with targeted anticancer agents, the identification of a patient population expressing the target is of primary importance for the success of clinical trials. Preclinical imaging studies tested the ability of new radiolabeled compounds to recognize mutant, amplified, or overexpressed targets and some of these tracers were transferred to the clinical setting. More common tracers such as 18F-Fluorothymidine and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose were employed in animal models to test the inhibition of the target and downstream pathways through the evaluation of early changes of proliferation and glucose metabolism allowing the identification of sensitive and resistant tumors. Furthermore, since the majority of patients treated with targeted anticancer agents will invariably develop resistance, preclinical imaging studies were performed to test the efficacy of reversal agents to overcome resistance. These studies provided consistent evidence that imaging with radiolabeled probes can monitor the reversal of drug resistance by newly designed alternative compounds. Finally, despite many difficulties and challenges, preclinical imaging studies targeting the expression of immune checkpoints proved the principle that it is feasible to select patients for immunotherapy based on imaging findings. In conclusion, preclinical imaging can be considered as an integral part of the complex translational process that moves a newly developed targeted agent from laboratory to clinical application intervening in all clinically relevant steps including patient selection, early monitoring of drug effects and reversal of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Iommelli
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana De Rosa
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Terlizzi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Fonti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvana Del Vecchio
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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Raccagni I, Belloli S, Valtorta S, Stefano A, Presotto L, Pascali C, Bogni A, Tortoreto M, Zaffaroni N, Daidone MG, Russo G, Bombardieri E, Moresco RM. [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT PET for the evaluation of response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in a model of triple negative breast cancer. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197754. [PMID: 29791503 PMCID: PMC5965848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Pathological response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) represents a commonly used predictor of survival in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the need to identify markers that predict response to NAC is constantly increasing. Aim of this study was to evaluate the potential usefulness of PET imaging with [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT for the discrimination of TNBC responders to Paclitaxel (PTX) therapy compared to the response assessed by an adapted Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria based on tumor volume (Tumor Volume Response). Methods Nu/nu mice bearing TNBC lesions of different size were evaluated with [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT PET before and after PTX treatment. SUVmax, Metabolic Tumor Volume (MTV) and Total Lesion Glycolysis (TLG) and Proliferation (TLP) were assessed using a graph-based random walk algorithm. Results We found that in our TNBC model the variation of [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT SUVmax similarly defined tumor response to therapy and that SUVmax variation represented the most accurate parameter. Response evaluation using Tumor Volume Response (TVR) showed that the effectiveness of NAC with PTX was completely independent from lesions size at baseline. Conclusions Our study provided interesting results in terms of sensitivity and specificity of PET in TNBC, revealing the similar performances of [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT in the identification of responders to Paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Raccagni
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Segrate, Italy
- Tecnomed, Foundation of the University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Belloli
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Segrate, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Valtorta
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Segrate, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Alessandro Stefano
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Segrate, Italy
| | - Luca Presotto
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudio Pascali
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Bogni
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Tortoreto
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Daidone
- Biomarkers Unit, Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Segrate, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Maria Moresco
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Segrate, Italy
- Tecnomed, Foundation of the University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Schelhaas S, Heinzmann K, Bollineni VR, Kramer GM, Liu Y, Waterton JC, Aboagye EO, Shields AF, Soloviev D, Jacobs AH. Preclinical Applications of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[ 18F]Fluorothymidine in Oncology - A Systematic Review. Theranostics 2017; 7:40-50. [PMID: 28042315 PMCID: PMC5196884 DOI: 10.7150/thno.16676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) has been proposed to measure cell proliferation non-invasively in vivo. Hence, it should provide valuable information for response assessment to tumor therapies. To date, [18F]FLT uptake has found limited use as a response biomarker in clinical trials in part because a better understanding is needed of the determinants of [18F]FLT uptake and therapy-induced changes of its retention in the tumor. In this systematic review of preclinical [18F]FLT studies, comprising 174 reports, we identify the factors governing [18F]FLT uptake in tumors, among which thymidine kinase 1 plays a primary role. The majority of publications (83 %) report that decreased [18F]FLT uptake reflects the effects of anticancer therapies. 144 times [18F]FLT uptake was related to changes in proliferation as determined by ex vivo analyses. Of these approaches, 77 % describe a positive relation, implying a good concordance of tracer accumulation and tumor biology. These preclinical data indicate that [18F]FLT uptake holds promise as an imaging biomarker for response assessment in clinical studies. Understanding of the parameters which influence cellular [18F]FLT uptake and retention as well as the mechanism of changes induced by therapy is essential for successful implementation of this PET tracer. Hence, our systematic review provides the background for the use of [18F]FLT in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Schelhaas
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Vikram R Bollineni
- European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gerbrand M Kramer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yan Liu
- European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Eric O Aboagye
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Anthony F Shields
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Dmitry Soloviev
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Andreas H Jacobs
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster, Münster, Germany.; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Johanniter Hospital, Bonn, Germany
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Serkova NJ, Eckhardt SG. Metabolic Imaging to Assess Treatment Response to Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Agents. Front Oncol 2016; 6:152. [PMID: 27471678 PMCID: PMC4946377 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For several decades, cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents were considered the basis of anticancer treatment for patients with metastatic tumors. A decrease in tumor burden, assessed by volumetric computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST), was considered as a radiological response to cytotoxic chemotherapies. In addition to RECIST-based dimensional measurements, a metabolic response to cytotoxic drugs can be assessed by positron emission tomography (PET) using (18)F-fluoro-thymidine (FLT) as a radioactive tracer for drug-disrupted DNA synthesis. The decreased (18)FLT-PET uptake is often seen concurrently with increased apparent diffusion coefficients by diffusion-weighted imaging due to chemotherapy-induced changes in tumor cellularity. Recently, the discovery of molecular origins of tumorogenesis led to the introduction of novel signal transduction inhibitors (STIs). STIs are targeted cytostatic agents; their effect is based on a specific biological inhibition with no immediate cell death. As such, tumor size is not anymore a sensitive end point for a treatment response to STIs; novel physiological imaging end points are desirable. For receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors as well as modulators of the downstream signaling pathways, an almost immediate inhibition in glycolytic activity (the Warburg effect) and phospholipid turnover (the Kennedy pathway) has been seen by metabolic imaging in the first 24 h of treatment. The quantitative imaging end points by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and metabolic PET (including 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose, FDG, and total choline) provide an early treatment response to targeted STIs, before a reduction in tumor burden can be seen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J. Serkova
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - S. Gail Eckhardt
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
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