Molecular imaging of integrin avb3 for in vivo detection of precursor lesions and pancreatic cancer in mice

Ziele: Early detection and precise intraoperative delineation of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is urgently needed for improving survival of this otherwise inevitably fatal disease. Methode: By using two avb3 integrin-targeted molecular imaging approaches, Integrisense680 optical imaging and [68Ga]NODAGA-RGD Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, PDAC bearing mice were imaged. Findings were correlated with immunohistological and protein analyses. In additon patient histological samples were analyzed for avb3 integrin expression. Ergebnis: Preneoplastic pancreatic intraepithelial (PanIN) lesions and PDAC could be detected in genetically engineered mouse models in vivo. Fluorescence-guided intraoperative optical imaging with Integrisense680 allowed exact delineation of tumor borders and detection of focal PanIN lesions. Non-invasive [68Ga]NODAGA-RGD-PET imaging enabled identification of PDAC. Patient histological samples screened for avb3 expression revealed an avb3 expressing tumor subpopulation. Schlussfolgerung: We thus suggest that molecular imaging of avb3 integrin is a promising approach for future clinical applications ranging from early detection of preneoplastic lesions and cancer to fluorescence-guided surgery, therapy monitoring and evaluation of avb3-targeted therapies.

Korrespondierender Autor: Trajkovic-Arsic M

2. Medizinische Klinik, Gastroenterologie, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Pancreatic Cancer - alphaVbeta3 Integrin - Molecular Imaging