99mTc-HYNIC Annexin-V imaging of tumors and its relationship to response to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to report on the relationship between preradiotherapy and prechemotherapy 99mTc-HYNIC Annexin-V tumor uptake values, reflecting ongoing apoptosis, and outcome to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.


METHODS
Twenty-three cancer patients underwent staging examinations and a 99mTc-HYNIC Annexin-V scintigraphy and subsequent radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Tumor-to-background ratios derived from tomographic 99mTc-HYNIC Annexin-V images were related to treatment outcome as assessed by RECIST criteria.


RESULTS
Six patients underwent radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy: 4 exhibited response to treatment, 1 had stable, and 1 progressive disease. Corresponding tumor-to-background ratio's were respectively >or=2.3 (in responders), 1.2 in the patient presenting with stable disease and 1 in the patient presenting with progressive disease. Seventeen patients were treated by chemotherapy alone: 8 were progressive, 1 patient presented with stable disease and 8 responded to treatment. In 1/8 progressive patients a tumor-to-background ratio of 1.4 was found, the others showed no uptake. In the patient presenting with stable disease a ratio of 0.1 was found. In the 8 responders, 7 patients had a tumor-to-background ratio >or=1.3 whereas in 1 patient a ratio of 0.3 was found. Tumor-to-background ratios in responders (complete plus partial) (median 2.5, range: 0.3-4.2) were significantly higher when compared to those obtained in non-responders (stable plus progressive disease) (median 1, range: 0.1-1.4) (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings presented suggest that 99mTc-HYNIC Annexin-V pretreatment uptake may be useful to predict response to chemo- and radiotherapy.
Rottey
S
S
Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
Loose
D
D
Vakaet
L
L
Lahorte
C
C
Vermeersch
H
H
Van Belle
S
S
Van de Wiele
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017304:Annexin A5; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D011878:Radiotherapy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017304:Annexin A5; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C117287:technetium Tc 99m HYNIC annexin V