title: Molecular in vivo imaging of gastric cancer in a human-murine xenograft model: targeting epidermal growth factor receptor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognosis of gastric cancer depends on early diagnosis. Targeted therapies against epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) are currently emerging for the treatment of gastric cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To specifically visualize gastric cancer by using monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR1 as molecular probes for in vivo molecular confocal laser endomicroscopy (mCLE) in a human-murine xenograft model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective in vivo animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animal laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human gastric carcinoma xenografts were examined in 26 nude mice by using mCLE after injection of fluorescently labeled antibodies. Nine mice received low-dose anti-EGFR1 antibodies, 7 mice cetuximab, and 7 control mice isotype antibodies. Three mice were screened for autofluorescence without injection. Macroscopic fluorescence was evaluated in 2 additional mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Molecular imaging of gastric cancer with confocal laser endomicroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluorescence intensity in the anti-EGFR1 (P = .0145) and cetuximab group (P = .0047) was significantly higher than in isotype control mice. The same protocol allowed macroscopic fluorescence detection of tumor xenografts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Animal model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vivo microscopic and macroscopic molecular imaging of gastric cancer is feasible in a human-murine xenograft model with both diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies targeting EGFR1. In perspective, mCLE could help diagnose and molecularly characterize gastric cancer during ongoing gastroscopy and may even assist in the prediction of response to therapy.
authors: 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Hoetker
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Kiesslich
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Diken
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Moehler
authors: Peter R
authors: PR
authors: Galle
authors: Yanqing
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Goetz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000068818:Cetuximab; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab