Purpose

To examine whether 99mTc(V)-DMSA could be used as a non-invasive measure of cancer cell proliferation.

Methods

Human breast cancer MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and pII, and prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines were grown to 30, 50 and 100% confluency and pulsed with 99mTc(V)-DMSA in media for 60 min at 37°C. DNA synthesis was analysed by quantification of the S phase using flow cytometry, [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation and expression of proliferation markers PCNA and Ki-67 using realtime PCR. One way ANOVA was used to compare groups.

Results

In all cell lines rates of 99mTc(V)-DMSA uptake were inversely related to cell density. This was paralleled by similar trends in S phase proportions, [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation and expression of PCNA and Ki-67.

Conclusion

Rates of 99mTc(V)-DMSA uptake into different types of tumour cells correlate well with cell density that is useful as a non-invasive measure of tumour cellular proliferation in vivo.

Background

99mTc-HMPAO is a well-established isotope useful in the detection of regional cerebral blood flow. Diabetes gives rise to arterial atherosclerotic changes that can lead to significant end organ dysfunction, prominently affecting perfusion to the heart, kidneys, eyes and brain. In the current study, we investigated the role of 99mTc-HMPAO cerebral perfusion scans in detecting early vascular changes in the diabetic brain.

Methods

Cerebral perfusion studies were performed on both control and streptozotocin-(STZ) induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Rat brain imaging using a gamma camera was performed for each group 0.5, 2, 4, and 24 hours post 99mTc-HMPAO injection. Data processing for each cerebral perfusion scan was performed by drawing a region of interest (ROI) circumferentially around the brain (B). Background (BKG) due to signal from the soft tissue of each rat was subtracted. Brain 99mTc-HMPAO uptake minus background counts (net brain counts; NBC) were then compared between the two groups.

Results

The NBC (mean ± SD) for the STZ group were statistically significantly higher (p = 0.0004) than those of the control group at each of the time points studied.

Conclusion

99mTc-HMPAO brain scan may be useful in the detection of early atherosclerotic changes in the diabetic rat brain.