Imaging gastrointestinal tumours using vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF165) receptor scintigraphy.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor is overexpressed in vascular endothelial cells of various human tumours as well as in human tumour cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of scanning with VEGF(165) labeled with (123)I for tumor localisation in patients with gastrointestinal tumours.


METHODS
Human recombinant VEGF(165) was radiolabelled with (123)I by electrophilic radioiodination using the chloramine T method. [(123)I]VEGF(165) was administered intravenously [mean dose 184 +/- 18 MBq (</=130 pmol; </=5 micro g) per patient] to 18 patients with gastrointestinal tumours. Dynamic acquisition was initiated immediately after administration and carried out until 30 min post-injection. Whole body images were done in anterior and posterior views at various time points. All patients underwent single-photon emission tomography imaging 1.5 h post-injection. Scanning with [(123)I]VEGF(165) was compared with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
Intravenous injection of [(123)I]VEGF(165) did not cause any side-effects. Binding of [(123)I]VEGF(165 )to primary tumours and metastases was visible shortly after injection. In patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas, primary tumours were visualised in seven of nine, lymph node metastases in three of four, liver metastases in three of six and lung metastases in one of three. Cholangiocarcinomas were visualised by imaging in one of two patients. Hepatocellular carcinomas were visible by imaging in two of four patients. [(123)I]VEGF(165) scans were weakly positive in one patient with abdominal schwannoma and in one patient with peritoneal carcinosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that scanning with [(123)I]VEGF(165) can visualise gastrointestinal tumours and metastases expressing receptors for VEGF(165). [(123)I]VEGF(165) receptor scintigraphy may be useful for visualisation of tumour angiogenesis.
Li
S
S
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. shuren.li@akh-wien.ac.uk
Peck-Radosavljevic
M
M
Kienast
O
O
Preitfellner
J
J
Hamilton
G
G
Kurtaran
A
A
Pirich
C
C
Angelberger
P
P
Dudczak
R
R
D015331:Cohort Studies; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors