PET Imaging Biomarkers of Anti-EGFR Immunotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Models

Cells

YongSerk Park¹  JooHyun Kang²  TaeSup Lee²  InHo Song²  JungYoung Kim²  KwangIl Kim²  YongJin Lee²  JongIl Shin² 

[1] Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea;Division of RI Application, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS), Seoul 01812, Korea;

关键词: EGFR;    cetuximab;    PET;    imaging biomarker;    Cu-64;    ¹⁸F-FDG;   

DOI  :  10.3390/cells7110187

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed and considered as a proper molecular target for diagnosis and targeted therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study evaluated the usefulness of PET imaging biomarkers with ⁶⁴Cu-PCTA-cetuximab and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET for anti-EGFR immunotherapy in ESCC models. In vivo EGFR status and glucose metabolism by cetuximab treatment were evaluated using ⁶⁴Cu-PCTA-cetuximab and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET, respectively. Therapeutic responses with imaging biomarkers were confirmed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. TE-4 and TE-8 tumors were clearly visualized by ⁶⁴Cu-PCTA-cetuximab, and EGFR expression on TE-8 tumors showed 2.6-fold higher uptake than TE-4. Tumor volumes were markedly reduced by cetuximab in TE-8 tumor (92.5 ± 5.9%), but TE-4 tumors were refractory to cetuximab treatment. The SUVs in ⁶⁴Cu-PCTA-cetuximab and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET images were statistically significantly reduced by cetuximab treatment in TE-8 but not in TE-4. ⁶⁴Cu-PCTA-cetuximab and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET images were well correlated with EGFR and pAkt levels. ⁶⁴Cu-PCTA-cetuximab immuno-PET had a potential for determining EGFR level and monitoring therapeutic response by anti-EGFR therapy. ¹⁸F-FDG-PET was also attractive for monitoring efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy. In conclusion, PET imaging biomarkers may be useful for selecting patients that express target molecules and for monitoring therapeutic efficacy of EGFR-targeted therapy in ESCC patients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown