title: Comparison of three radiolabelled peptide analogues for CCK-2 receptor scintigraphy in medullary thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cholecystokinin 2 (CCK-2) receptor overexpression has been demonstrated in a high percentage of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC). Analogous to somatostatin receptors, CCK-2 receptors might be viable targets for radionuclide scintigraphy and/or radionuclide therapy. Several CCK-2 receptor-binding radiopeptides have been developed, and some have been carried through into clinical studies. However, these studies are mostly limited and difficult to compare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of three promising CCK-2 receptor-binding radiopeptides in patients with MTC.
  
  
  METHODS
  (111)In-DOTA-(D: )Asp-Tyr-Nle-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH(2) ((111)In-DOTA-CCK), a CCK analogue, and the gastrin-based ligands (99m)Tc-N(4)-Gly-(D: )Glu-(Glu)(5)-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH(2) ((99m)Tc-demogastrin 2) and (111)In-DOTA-(D: )Glu-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH(2) ((111)In-DOTA-MG11) were each administered to the same group of six patients. Planar images made at 3-5, 7 and 24 h p.i. were used for comparison of tumour visualisation and renal uptake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (99m)Tc-demogastrin 2 scintigraphy visualised all known lesions and new lesions in four of six patients. (111)In-DOTA-CCK and (111)In-DOTA-MG11 on the other hand missed several lesions; tumour uptake of these two radiopharmaceuticals was quite low. Comparison of retention of renal activity showed no major differences between the three radiopeptides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (99m)Tc-demogastrin 2 scintigraphy appeared most promising as a diagnostic tool in patients with MTC. Further studies are required to evaluate its value in patient management. Direct comparisons of the compounds studied strongly suggests that (111)In-DOTA-CCK and (111)In-DOTA-MG11 have less potential as imaging agents than (99m)Tc-demogastrin 2. These DOTA-linked compounds are considered unlikely to be useful for radionuclide therapy because of low tumour uptake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, a.froberg@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Alida C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Fröberg
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Berthold A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Nock
authors.forename: Wout A P
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Breeman
authors.forename: Jack L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Erion
authors.forename: Theodosia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maina
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verdijsseldonck
authors.forename: Wouter W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: de Herder
authors.forename: Aad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Lugt
authors.forename: Peter P M
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Kooij
authors.forename: Eric P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Krenning
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011851:Radioactivity; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D043887:Receptor, Cholecystokinin B / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D009842:Oligopeptides; D043887:Receptor, Cholecystokinin B