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T Saga

Publications and source records attributed to T Saga.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pharmacokinetics and enhancement patterns of macromolecular MR contrast agents with various sizes of polyamidoamine dendrimer cores.

Four macromolecular contrast agents are synthesized to visualize small vessels by MRI using generation-3 (G3D), -4 (G4D), -5 (G5D), and -6 (G6D) polyamidoamine dendrimers conjugated to chelated gadolinium (Gd). The pharmacokinetics, enhancement patterns, and the ability of these constructs to visualize fine vessels is evaluated by dynamic MRI in relationship to their size. Gd-G6D and -G5D exhibit a prolonged high vascular (ventricular) signal intensity (SI) with high ventricle-to-organ SI ratios. The initial high vascular SI with Gd-G4D decreases to a value as low as that obtained with Gd-G3D and Gd-dimeglumine-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Gd-G5D, -G4D, and -G3D show high renal SIs, and Gd-DTPA prominently enhances the skin. Gd-G6D and -G5D present fine vasculature significantly more clearly than Gd-G3D and -DTPA (P < 0.005). As the molecular size increases, the excretion of the 153Gd-conjugates is retarded. In conclusion, Gd-G6D and -G5D are retained in the blood and present fine vessels with high quality and detail, and should be adequate for visualizing small tumor vasculature.

Animals↗

Enhancement of the therapeutic outcome of radio-immunotherapy by combination with whole-body mild hyperthermia.

To enhance the effect of radio-immunotherapy for solid cancers, whole-body mild hyperthermia was added, and its effects on the pharmacokinetics of radiolabelled antibody, outcome of radio-immunotherapy, and radiosensitivity of the tumour were investigated. Nude mice bearing human colon cancer xenografts were heated to 40 degrees C for 3 or 6 h. After heating, mice received intravenous (i.v.) injections of [131I]-labelled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody. Although 6-h heating did not alter the biodistribution of the radiolabelled antibody, and alone did not show any therapeutic effect on tumour growth, when combined with radio-immunotherapy, the therapeutic effect on tumour growth was significantly enhanced. Three-hour heating also significantly enhanced the effect of radio-immunotherapy. Colony formation assay showed that the radiosensitivity of the tumour was significantly enhanced after heating, which was achieved by a reduction of the hypoxic fraction of the tumour. In conclusion, the addition of whole-body mild hyperthermia significantly enhanced the therapeutic effect of radio-immunotherapy by increasing the radiosensitivity of the tumour.

Animals↗

Plasma protein binding of (99m)Tc-labeled hydrazino nicotinamide derivatized polypeptides and peptides.

6-Hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC) constitutes one of the most attractive reagents to prepare (99m)Tc-labeled polypeptides and peptides of various molecular weights in combination with two tricine molecules as coligands. Indeed, (99m)Tc-HYNIC-conjugated IgG showed biodistribution of radioactivity similar to that of (111)In-DTPA-conjugated IgG. However, recent studies indicated significant plasma protein binding when the (99m)Tc labeling procedure was expanded to low molecular weight peptides. In this study, pharmacokinetics of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-conjugated IgG, Fab and RC160 using tricine were compared with their radioiodinated counterparts to evaluate this (99m)Tc-labeling method. In mice, [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-IgG)(tricine)(2) and [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-Fab)(tricine)(2) showed persistent localization of radioactivity in tissues when compared with their (125)I-labeled counterparts. [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-IgG)(tricine)(2) eliminated from the blood at a rate similar to that of (125)I-labeled IgG, while [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-Fab)(tricine)(2) showed significantly slower clearance of the radioactivity than (125)I-labeled Fab. On size-exclusion HPLC analyses, little changes were observed in radiochromatograms after incubation of [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-IgG)(tricine)(2) in murine plasma. However, [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-Fab)(tricine)(2) and [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-RC160)(tricine)(2) demonstrated significant increases in the radioactivity in higher molecular weight fractions in plasma. Formation of higher molecular weight species was reduced when [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-RC160)(tricine)(2) was stabilized with nicotinic acid (NIC) to generate [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-RC160)(tricine)(NIC). [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-RC160)(tricine)(NIC) also demonstrated significantly faster clearance of the radioactivity from the blood than [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-RC160)(tricine)(2). These findings suggested that one of the tricine coligands in (99m)Tc-HYNIC-labeled (poly)peptides would be replaced with plasma proteins to generate higher molecular weight species that exhibit slow blood clearance. In addition, the molecular sizes of parental peptides played an important role in the progression of the exchange reaction of one of the tricine coligands with plasma proteins.

Animals↗

(99m)Tc-HYNIC-derivatized ternary ligand complexes for (99m)Tc-labeled polypeptides with low in vivo protein binding.

6-Hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC) is a representative agent used to prepare technetium-99m ((99m)Tc)-labeled polypeptides with tricine as a coligand. However, (99m)Tc-HYNIC-labeled polypeptides show delayed elimination rates of the radioactivity not only from the blood but also from nontarget tissues such as the liver and kidney. In this study, a preformed chelate of tetrafluorophenol (TFP) active ester of [(99m)Tc](HYNIC)(tricine)(benzoylpyridine: BP) ternary complex was synthesized to prepare (99m)Tc-labeled polypeptides with higher stability against exchange reactions with proteins in plasma and lysosomes using the Fab fragment of a monoclonal antibody and galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (NGA) as model polypeptides. When incubated in plasma, [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-Fab)(tricine)(BP) showed significant reduction of the radioactivity in high molecular weight fractions compared with [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-Fab)(tricine)(2.) When injected into mice, [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-NGA)(tricine)(BP) was metabolized to [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-lysine)(tricine)(BP) in the liver with no radioactivity detected in protein-bound fractions in contrast to the observations with [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-NGA)(tricine)(2.) In addition, [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-NGA)(tricine)(BP) showed significantly faster elimination rates of the radioactivity from the liver as compared with [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-NGA)(tricine)(2.) Similar results were observed with (99m)Tc-labeled Fab fragments where [(99m)Tc](HYNIC-Fab)(tricine)(BP) exhibited significantly faster elimination rates of the radioactivity not only from the blood but also from the kidney. These findings indicated that conjugation of [(99m)Tc](HYNIC)(tricine)(BP) ternary ligand complex to polypeptides accelerated elimination rates of the radioactivity from the blood and nontarget tissues due to low binding of the [(99m)Tc](HYNIC)(tricine)(BP) complex with proteins in the blood and in the lysosomes. Such characteristics would render the TFP active ester of [(99m)Tc](HYNIC)(tricine)(BP) complex attractive as a radiolabeling reagent for targeted imaging.

Animals↗

Primary diffuse tracheobronchial amyloidosis: radiologic findings.

Reports detailing the radiologic features of tracheobronchial amyloidosis are scant and typically describe only the computed tomography findings of this disease. No reports have described the magnetic resonance (MR) findings of tracheobronchial amyloidosis. With this case, the authors describe the radiologic findings in a patient with diffuse tracheobronchial amyloidosis, focusing particularly on the MR and bone scintigraphy findings in this disease.

Amyloidosis↗

Appearance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in femoral head in the growing rat.

In this study, we examined the appearance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the femoral head of the growing rat using an immunocytochemical technique. Our results showed VEGF-immunopositive cells existed in the inner region and peripheral region of the femoral head at each developmental stage. In the 19-day-old fetus, immunopositive mesenchymal cells were demonstrated in the peripheral region of the femoral head. At 1 to 10 days after birth, VEGF immunoreactivities were observed in the osteoblasts, osteoclasts, periosteum, perichondrium and cartilage matrix of the femur. At 15 days after birth, VEGF immunoreactive chondrocytes appeared in the apex area of the femoral head. In this stage, the femoral head is still constituted by chondrocytes and no apparent vascular formation has been observed. Thereafter, the immunopositive chondrocytes in the femoral head increased in number. The penetration of capillaries was recognized within the ligament of the femoral head at 60 days after birth. The results indicate that some chondrocytes in the femoral head produce VEGF before the beginning of ossification, and that VEGF may play an important role in the penetration of blood vessels into the femoral head from the ligament of the femoral head.

Age Factors↗

Clinical value of positron emission tomography with FDG for recurrent ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrence is often a major problem for patients who have undergone surgery for ovarian cancer. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical contribution of positron emission tomography (PET) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for recurrent ovarian cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four women who had undergone surgery or chemoradiotherapy for histopathologically proven ovarian cancer were enrolled in this study. Ovarian cancer was thought to have recurred in 12 of these women because of evidence on conventional imaging modalities or tumor marker measurements (group A). Clinical findings for the remaining 12 women showed them to be disease-free (group B). PET findings for the women were compared with the final diagnoses obtained by histopathology or by clinical follow-up. The clinical contribution of PET was assessed by evaluating whether PET yielded information complementing the findings of conventional modalities and by examining its impact on treatment. RESULTS: PET gave valuable information for seven of 12 patients in group A in addition to the information obtained from findings on conventional imaging, and treatment was affected in five patients. On the other hand, in group B, additional information was obtained in only three of 12 patients, and treatment of only one patient was affected. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of conventional imaging modalities were 72.7%, 75.0%, and 73.3%, respectively, and these rates improved to 92.3%, 100.0%, and 94.4%, respectively, by considering both conventional imaging modalities and PET findings. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data suggest that whole-body PET with FDG can be a complementary modality for following up patients who have had ovarian cancer, especially patients believed to be at risk for recurrence.

Case-Control Studies↗

(99m)Tc-sestamibi retention characteristics during pharmacologic hyperemia in human myocardium: comparison with coronary flow reserve measured by Doppler flowire.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to investigate the increase in myocardial (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (sestamibi) retention in humans during pharmacologic vasodilation. METHODS: For calculation of the increase in (99m)Tc-sestamibi retention during hyperemia, baseline and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced hyperemic stress sestamibi studies were performed using a same-day rest-stress protocol. On the injection of sestamibi, left ventricular dynamic data were obtained for 90 s. The increase in sestamibi retention from baseline to hyperemia was calculated by the formula [abstract: see text] where Cm(h)(t) and Cm(b)(t) are myocardial counts on the tomographic image, and Cb(b)(tau) and Cb(h)(tau) are the left ventricular blood-pool counts during the first transit of sestamibi at baseline and during hyperemia, respectively. Coronary flow increase during intravenous ATP stress was measured using intracoronary Doppler flow guide wire and compared with the scintigraphic results of 28 measurements in 22 patients. RESULTS: Sestamibi retention increased as coronary flow velocity increased but plateaued at >2.5-3 times baseline flow velocity. The relationship between the increase in sestamibi retention (Y) and the increase in flow (X) is expressed as follows: Y = 0.44 + 0.60X - 0.068X(2) (r = 0.82). CONCLUSION: In humans, the increase in (99m)Tc-sestamibi myocardial retention underestimates coronary flow reserve, particularly at high flow rates. Knowledge of these tracer retention characteristics will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the manner and interpretation of stress sestamibi imaging.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Tumor targeting and imaging of intraperitoneal tumors by use of antisense oligo-DNA complexed with dendrimers and/or avidin in mice.

To establish an effective nonviral gene delivery and a corresponding imaging method for i.p.-disseminated tumors, various oligonucleotide-carrier complexes were synthesized, and their in vitro and in vivo properties were examined. The 20-mer multiamino-linked oligonucleotide (oligo), synthesized as antisense against the c-erbB-2 sequence, and the 3'-biotinylated form of the same oligonucleotide (oligo-Bt) were (111)In labeled through a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid chelate. (111)In-oligo was mixed with generation 4 polyamidoamine dendrimer (G4) or with biotinylated G4 (G4-Bt), which are positively charged to form electrostatic complexes. (111)In-oligo/G4-Bt and (111)In-oligo-Bt were conjugated to avidin ((111)In-oligo/G4-Av and (111)In-oligo-Av, respectively). (111)In-oligo/G4, (111)In-oligo/G4-Av, (111)In-oligo-Av, and carrier-free (111)In-oligo (2.96 kBq/22.4-45.9 ng of oligo) were examined for internalization in vitro in human ovarian cancer cells (SHIN3). Biodistribution of (111)In-oligo-carrier complexes or (111)In-oligo was examined in normal (n = 4-7) or i.p. SHIN3 tumor-bearing (n = 6-10) mice 2-24 h after i.p. injection (74 kBq/125-300 ng). Scintigraphy of i.p. tumor-bearing and normal mice was performed at various times postinjection of (111)In-oligo-carrier complex or (111)In-oligo (1.85 MBq/2.2 ng). (111)In-oligo-carrier complexes bound to the tumor cells were internalized at a rate of 34-56% at 24 h. In vivo, G4, G4-Av, and Av significantly enhanced tumor delivery of (111)In-oligo [9.1, 14.5, and 24.4% of injected dose per g of tissue (ID/g) at 24 h; P < 0.05, < 0.01, and < 0.0001, respectively] compared with delivery without carrier (0.8% ID/g). Scintigrams of (111)In-oligo delivered to the i.p.-disseminated tumors by the carriers were successfully obtained. In conclusion, G4, G4-Av, and Av can effectively deliver (111)In-oligo to i.p.-disseminated tumors. (111)In-oligo-carrier complexes also have potential as tracers for imaging and monitoring of gene delivery.

Animals↗

Combined effects of tirapazamine and mild hyperthermia on anti-angiogenic agent (TNP-470) treated tumors-reference to the effect on intratumor quiescent cells.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the use of tirapazamine (TPZ), especially combined with mild hyperthermia (40 degrees C, 60 min), in the treatment of solid tumors following an anti-angiogenic treatment with TNP-470. In addition, we assessed the effect of TPZ and/or mild hyperthermia (MHT) combined with conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy on TNP-470 treated tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C3H/He mice bearing SCC VII tumors subcutaneously received TNP-470 at two doses of 100 mg/kg after tumor cell inoculation. At the same time, the tumor-bearing mice received 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) continuously for 5 days via implanted mini-osmotic pumps to label all proliferating (P) cells. The mice then received TPZ administration combined with or without MHT, gamma-ray irradiation combined with or without TPZ and/or MHT, or cisplatin injection with or without TPZ and/or MHT. Another group of mice received a series of test doses of gamma-rays while alive or after being killed to obtain hypoxic fractions (HFs) in the tumors at various time points after the above-mentioned cytotoxic treatment point. After each treatment, the tumors were excised, minced, and trypsinized. The tumor cell suspensions thus obtained were incubated with cytochalasin-B (a cytokinesis blocker), and the micronucleus (MN) frequency in cells without BrdU labeling (or quiescent [Q] cells) was determined using immunofluorescence staining for BrdU. The MN frequency in the total (P + Q) tumor cells was determined from the tumors that were not pretreated with BrdU. For the measurement of the HFs, the MN frequency of BrdU-unlabeled cells was then used to calculate the surviving fraction of the unlabeled cells from the regression line for the relationship between the MN frequency and the surviving fraction of total tumor cells. RESULTS: TPZ administration combined with TNP-470 treatment and MHT increased the MN frequency more markedly than treatment with TPZ alone, and this tendency was more remarkable in Q cells than total cells. In both total and Q cells, combined treatment with TPZ and MHT produced significant increases in MN frequencies whether gamma-rays were delivered to TNP-470 treated tumors or cisplatin was injected into the TNP-470 administered mice. Although not significantly, the HFs of total and Q cell populations within solid tumors increased after TNP-470 treatment. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with TPZ and MHT, whether other cytotoxic treatments such as gamma-ray irradiation or chemotherapy using cisplatin were combined or not, was useful for sensitizing tumor cells in vivo including Q cells even after TNP-470 treatment.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Monoclonal antibody-dendrimer conjugates enable radiolabeling of antibody with markedly high specific activity with minimal loss of immunoreactivity.

For the purpose of radioimmunotherapy, labelling of monoclonal antibody with high specific activity is often necessary, especially when using a radionuclide with a shorter half-life. Polyamine dendrimers (PAMAM) are novel synthetic polymeric molecules with large numbers of amine residues on their spherical surface. In order to bind large numbers of radiometals to single antibody molecules, the generation-4 PAMAM (G4), which has 64 amines, was conjugated with 43 molecules of 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-6-methyl-diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (1B4M), a derivative of DTPA. This product [G4-(1B4M)43] was then conjugated with OST7, a murine monoclonal IgG1. We evaluated the achievable specific activity for 111In labeling, immunoreactivity, biodistribution, and tumor targeting in mice of the 111In- or 153Gd-OST7-G4-(1B4M)43 as compared with radiolabeled OST7-1B4M or 56C-1B4M. The maximum specific activity of 111In-OST7-G4-(1B4M)43 and 111In-OST7-1B4M was 470 and 8.7 GBq/mg (12,700 and 263 mCi/mg), respectively. Immunoreactivity of radiolabeled OST7-G4-(1B4M)43 and OST7-1B4M, as determined by the binding to KT005 cells expressing the antigen, was respectively 91% and 84% of that of 125I-labelled OST7. Biodistribution studies for preparations with maximum specific activity in normal mice 3 h after injection showed that 111In- or 153Gd-OST7-G4-(1B4M)43 cleared faster from the blood and accumulated more in the liver than did 111In- or 153Gd-OST7-1B4M. The dendrimer 1B4M [G4-(1B4M)64] itself showed similar saturation effects with metals. The radioactivity in all the other organs reflected the rapid clearance of radioactivity from the blood. 153Gd-OST7-G4-(1B4M)43 showed specific accumulation in the KT005 tumor. In conclusion, we could successfully bind 49 times as many metal atoms to an antibody molecule as is possible with conventional metal labeling for indium and gadolinium, and did so with minimal loss of immunoreactivity. When we achieved radiolabeling with maximum specific activity, Gd conjugate showed better biodistribution than In conjugate.

Animals↗

FDG-PET of autoimmune-related pancreatitis: preliminary results.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to elucidate the fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings in autoimmune-related pancreatitis (AIP), which is a reversible chronic pancreatitis with an autoimmune cause. The study group comprised six patients with clinically diagnosed AIP. After 370 MBq (10 mCi) of FDG had been injected intravenously, the abdomen and/or the whole body was scanned at 1 h post injection in all patients, and scanning was repeated at 2 h in four patients. PET findings were evaluated visually and/or semiquantitatively using the standardized uptake value (SUV). In four of the six patients, PET demonstrated intense uptake in the whole pancreas, which appeared swollen on computed tomography, and the accumulation increased with time in three patients. In one patient, intense focal uptake in the pancreatic head was observed, and the accumulation decreased over time. In the remaining patient, no abnormal accumulation in the pancreas was observed. Follow-up PET scanning after steroid therapy was performed in three patients, and intense FDG uptake was no longer observed. Our preliminary data show that AIP can cause intense FDG uptake in the pancreas. This fact, and the benign status of the condition, should be kept in mind when making a diagnosis with FDG-PET in patients with pancreatic disorders.

Cell Survival↗

Avidin chase can reduce myelotoxicity associated with radioimmunotherapy of experimental liver micrometastases in mice.

Myelotoxicity is the main factor which decides the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in radioimmunotherapy (RIT). Since bone marrow is mostly irradiated from blood radioactivity, enhancing the clearance of unbound circulating radiolabeled antibody is important to reduce myelotoxicity and to increase the MTD. We applied the avidin chase method, which was devised to obtain high tumor-to-background ratios in tumor-targeting, to RIT of experimental liver micrometastases and evaluated its influence on the side effects and therapeutic outcome. Seven days after intrasplenic injection of human colon cancer LS174T cells, nude mice were intravenously injected with biotinylated (131)I-labeled anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (MAb) (24 - 38 microg, 11.1 MBq). Mice of the chase group then received an intravenous injection of avidin twice (24 and 30 h, 72 - 115 microg each). Biodistribution, side effects (white blood cell counts and body weight change), and short- and long-term therapeutic effects were determined. Avidin chase markedly accelerated the clearance of radiolabeled MAb from the blood (P < 0.0001) and normal tissues, resulting in milder leukocytopenia and body weight loss, both of which recovered earlier than in the non-chase group (P < 0.01). The tumor uptake of radiolabeled MAb was also decreased by avidin chase, but the metastases-to-background ratios were increased. Avidin chase gave the therapeutic gain ratio of 1.89. Treated groups with and without avidin chase showed significant therapeutic effects compared to the non-treated group. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effects between the two treated groups. Avidin chase effectively reduced the side effects of RIT and should increase the MTD.

Animals↗

An anomalous case of the hepato-spleno-mesenteric and the gastro-phrenic trunks independently arising from the abdominal aorta.

This report describes an arterial anomaly case in the celiaco-mesenteric region, which was encountered in a Japanese male cadaver in the dissecting room at Kurume University School of Medicine in 1999. In this case, the usual celiac trunk was not identified, and the hepato-spleno-mesenteric and the gastro-phrenic trunks were independently arising from the abdominal aorta. In addition, the common hepatic artery divided into the left hepatic, the right hepatic, and the gastroduodenal arteries simultaneously, then, the accessory gastric artery arose from the left hepatic artery. This type of arteral anomaly belongs to the Type III of Adachi's classification and the Type II of Morita's classification.

Aged↗

Two anomalous cases of the hepato-mesenteric and the gastro-splenic trunks independently arising from the abdominal aorta.

This report describes two arterial anomaly cases in the celiaco-mesenteric region, which were encountered in two Japanese male cadavers in the dissecting room at Kurume University School of Medicine in 1999. In these cases, the usual celiac trunks were not identified, and the hepato-mesenteric and the gastro-splenic trunks were independently arising from the abdominal aorta. Moreover, in the first case, the common hepatic artery passed ventral side of the portal vein and divided into the hepatic proper and the gastroduodenal arteries. This type of arterial anomaly belongs to the Type V of Adachi's classification and the Type IV' of Morita's classification. In the second case, the common hepatic artery passed dorsal side of the portal vein and divided into the hepatic proper and the gastroduodenal arteries. This type of arterial anomaly belongs to the Type VI of Adachi's classification and the Type IV' of Morita's classification.

Aged↗

[Fluid management after off-pump CABG in a patient receiving preoperative continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis].

Perioperative management of off-pump CABG in a patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was reported. Prior to the procedure, we considered that postoperative management could be performed by CAPD alone in the case of off-pump CABG. However, due to an unexpected increase in the circulating blood volume and dilution of blood after surgery, congestive cardiac failure developed and active dehydration was required for 3 days after the operation using CHDF and HD. Despite this treatment, the central venous pressure and the cardiothoracic ratio in the chest X-ray were elevated, and a state of volume overload continued. However, cardiac contractility was not disturbed as shown by echocardiography. A possible cause of this condition was that body fluid had accumulated in the third space such as the peritoneum and intestine due to long-term use of CAPD before surgery, and the fluid was mobilized after surgery.

Aged↗

Establishment and characterization of a breast cancer cell line expressing Na+/I- symporters for radioiodide concentrator gene therapy.

UNLABELLED: 131I therapy is a widely accepted treatment for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer. To investigate the feasibility of 131I therapy for breast cancer, we established breast cancer cells stably expressing Na-/I- symporter (NIS) gene that can be modulated and studied in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We transfected rat NIS genes into a human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) by electroporation. Iodide accumulation was evaluated under various extracellular concentrations of sodium and iodide, and iodide efflux was also assessed. Biodistribution and tumor imaging were studied using tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS: A novel cell line (MCF3B), stably expressing the NIS gene, was established from MCF7. MCF3B took up 44 times more radioiodide in vitro than MCF7 did. Iodide uptake was completely inhibited by 1 mmol/L perchlorate and was dependent on external sodium and iodide concentrations. Iodide efflux from MCF3B cells was slower (half-life [T 1/2] > 27 min) than from FRTL5 thyroid cells (T 1/2 = 4 min). In the biodistribution study using MCF3B-xenografted mice, high tumor uptake of 125I was shown (16.73%) at 1 h after injection, and tumor-to-normal tissue ratios were also high (4.84-21.28), except in the stomach (0.47). However, the iodide accumulation in the tumor lessened with time, reaching less than 1% at 24 h after injection. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data indicate that NIS-based gene therapy may be applied by concentrating a lethal dose of radiation in tumor cells in vivo, but further investigation is necessary to determine a method of maintaining radioiodine in the cells to allow greater therapeutic effects.

Animals↗