Fluorescently labeled cetuximab to evaluate head and neck cancer response to treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Combining the therapeutic and diagnostic properties of targeted antibodies may improve clinical assessment of disease with limited added toxicity during treatment.


METHODS
Mice (n = 10) were xenografted with SCC-1 tumor cells and then treated with radiation, cisplatin and cetuximab. Brightfield and fluorescent imaging was performed after systemically injecting fluorescently labeled cetuximab prior to treatment and at six or ten weeks after initiation of treatment. The relative fluorescence intensity was determined for each image.


RESULTS
The tumor luminosity measured before (week 0), during (week 6) and after treatment (week 10) did not significantly change. Actual tumor measurement corresponded to fluorescent measurements of tumors both before treatment and after treatment. Complete response to therapy occurred in one animal, where resolution of the tumor correlated with loss of fluorescent activity.


CONCLUSIONS
This preclinical data suggests combining the diagnostic and therapeutic properties of cetuximab may be clinically useful.
Gleysteen
John P
JP
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Duncan
Ryan D
RD
Magnuson
J Scott
JS
Skipper
Joni B
JB
Zinn
Kurt
K
Rosenthal
Eben L
EL
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000068818:Cetuximab; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D000068818:Cetuximab