Preliminary In Vivo Evaluation of [ 131 I]-2-Iodo- D -Phenylalanine as a Potential Radionuclide Therapeutic Agent in R1M-Fluc Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumor-Bearing NuNu Mice Using Bioluminescent Imaging

• Published in: Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 225 - 231
• Main Authors: Bauwens, Matthias, Wimana, Lena, Keyaerts, Marleen, Peleman, Cindy, Lahoutte, Tony, Kersemans, Ken, Snykers, Sarah, Vinken, Mathieu, Mertens, John, Bossuyt, Axel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mary Ann Liebert, Inc 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Animals; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Luciferases - metabolism; Luminescent Measurements; Mice; Mice, Nude; Phenylalanine - analogs & derivatives; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Rhabdomyosarcoma - diagnostic imaging; Tissue Distribution; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
• ISSN: 1084-9785; 1557-8852
• DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2009.0705

Carrier-added [(123)I]-2-iodo-D-phenylalanine (CA [(123)I]-2-I-D-Phe) was previously found to have a preferential retention in tumors with a high tumor background contrast in animal models. A previous human dosimetry study demonstrated a favorable biodistribution and radiation burden in human subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of CA [(131)I]-2-I-D-Phe as an agent for radionuclide therapy. Sixty (60) nude athymic mice were inoculated subcutaneously with firefly luciferase-transduced R1M rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The mice in the therapy group were injected intravenously (i.v.) with 148 MBq [(131)I]-2-I-D-Phe (432 GBq/mmol) in kit solution. Controls were injected with kit solution without radioactivity, with physiological saline, or with 148 MBq [(131)I](-) in physiological saline. Tumor growth was quantified using bioluminescent imaging and caliper measurements. [(131)I]-2-I-D-Phe clearly reduced tumor growth in the treated mice compared with the control groups. A tumor growth-rate reduction of at least 33% was found for mice receiving a therapeutic dose. There were no serious adverse side-effects of the therapy. In conclusion, i.v. injection of CA 148 MBq [(131)I]-2-I-D-Phe specifically reduces tumor growth in athymic nude mice without relevant side-effects on the animals' health.