Mice with HNSCC xenografts, SCCNij202, 153, 185 and 167 were imaged with microSPECT using 111In-cetuximab-F(ab鈥?2. Subsequently, tumors were analyzed by autoradiography and immunohistochemistry and tracer concentration was determined. Tumor uptake was correlated with previously assessed response to cetuximab treatment.
MicroSPECT imaging showed preferential uptake in HNSCC xenografts. Tumor-to-liver ratios were 3.1 卤 0.2 (SCCNij202), 2.8 卤 0.4 (SCCNij153), 2.0 卤 0.8 (SCCNij185), 2.0 卤 0.4 (SCCNij167). Immunohistochemical EGFR fractions (fEGFR) differed significantly between xenografts; 0.77 卤 0.07 (SCCNij202), 0.66 卤 0.11 (SCCNij153), 0.57 卤 0.19 (SCCNij185), 0.16 卤 0.10 (SCCNij167) (p < 0.001). Tumor fEGFR correlated with 111In-cetuximab-F(ab鈥?2 tumor uptake (r = 0.6, p < 0.01) and tracer autoradiography (r = 0.7, p < 0.0001). Tumor uptake of 111In-cetuximab-F(ab鈥?2 was proportionally associated with cetuximab treatment response in three out of four xenograft models.
111In-cetuximab-F(ab鈥?2 showed good tumor-to-background contrast on microSPECT imaging, allowing noninvasive assessment of EGFR expression in vivo, and possibly evaluation of treatment response to EGFR-inhibition.