title: Antibody-Guided In Vivo Imaging for Early Detection of Mammary Gland Tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Earlier detection of transformed cells using target-specific imaging techniques holds great promise. We have developed TAB 004, a monoclonal antibody highly specific to a protein sequence accessible in the tumor form of MUC1 (tMUC1). We present data assessing both the specificity and sensitivity of TAB 004 in vitro and in genetically engineered mice in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polyoma Middle T Antigen mice were crossed to the human MUC1.Tg mice to generate MMT mice. In MMT mice, mammary gland hyperplasia is observed between 6 and 10 weeks of age that progresses to ductal carcinoma in situ by 12 to 14 weeks and adenocarcinoma by 18 to 24 weeks. Approximately 40% of these mice develop metastasis to the lung and other organs with a tumor evolution that closely mimics human breast cancer progression. Tumor progression was monitored in MMT mice (from ages 8 to 22 weeks) by in vivo imaging following retro-orbital injections of the TAB 004 conjugated to indocyanine green (TAB-ICG). At euthanasia, mammary gland tumors and normal epithelial tissues were collected for further analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vivo imaging following TAB-ICG injection permitted significantly earlier detection of tumors compared with physical examination. Furthermore, TAB-ICG administration in MMT mice enabled the detection of lung metastases while sparing recognition of normal epithelia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data highlight the specificity and the sensitivity of the TAB 004 antibody in differentiating normal versus tumor form of MUC1 and its utility as a targeted imaging agent for early detection, tumor monitoring response, as well as potential clinical use for targeted drug delivery.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Laura Jeffords
authors: LJ
authors: Moore
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA; OncoTAb, Inc., 243 Bioinformatics, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
authors: Lopamudra Das
authors: LD
authors: Roy
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Ru
authors: R
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Priyanka
authors: P
authors: Grover
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Shu-Ta
authors: ST
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Curry
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA; OncoTAb, Inc., 243 Bioinformatics, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
authors: Lloye M
authors: LM
authors: Dillon
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Priya M
authors: PM
authors: Puri
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA.
authors: Mahboubeh
authors: M
authors: Yazdanifar
authors: OncoTAb, Inc., 243 Bioinformatics, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
authors: Rahul
authors: R
authors: Puri
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA; OncoTAb, Inc., 243 Bioinformatics, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
authors: Pinku
authors: P
authors: Mukherjee
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 USA. Electronic address: ddreau@uncc.edu.
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Dréau