new research from chiba japan
New mesothelioma study findings recently were published by Y. Saito and co-researchers
Biotech Week
February 11, 2009
According to recent research from Chiba, Japan, "Various techniques are available for in vivo imaging, and precise understanding of their characteristics is essential for effective Use of the imaging results. We established human mesothelioma cell lines expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) and examined their fluorescence intensity and Uptake of positron emission tomography (PET) tracer analogs to compare their characteristics and assess their usefulness in the evaluation of therapeutics."
"A human mesothelioma cell line was stably transfected to express RFP. Fluorescence, cell number and protein amount were measured during cell growth and treatment with cytotoxic reagents. In in vivo experiments, RFP-expressing cells were injected SUI)subcutaneously or into the Pleural cavity of nude mice, and fluorescence images were taken With Or without pemetrexed treatment. The Uptake of [H-3]3'-deoxy-3'-fluorothymidine ([H-3] FLT) and [C-14]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([C-14]FDG) under treatment with the above reagents in vitro and in vivo were examined. Strong correlation was observed between fluorescence intensity and total cell number with or Without cytotoxic treatment. The uptake or [H-3] FLT and [C-14]FDG decreased rapidly after the initiation of treatment with actinomycin D or cycloheximide. When treated with pemetrexed, the uptake or[H-3]FLT temporarily increased. The cells formed subcutaneous and orthotopic tumors, With fluorescence intensity correlating with tumor volume. The correlation Was sustained under pemetrexed treatment. The uptake or ill vivo increased significantly early after pemetrexed treatment," wrote Y. Saito and colleagues (see also Mesothelioma).
The researchers concluded: "Fluorescence imaging could be used to semiquantitatively monitor tumor size, whereas PET could be used to monitor tumor response to therapeutic treatments, and especially, FLT might be a good marker or the response to anti-folate chemotherapeutics.."
Saito and colleagues published their study in Nuclear Medicine and Biology (Comparison of semiquantitative fluorescence imaging and PET tracer uptake in mesothelioma models as a monitoring system for growth and therapeutic effects. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 2008;35(8):851-860).
For additional information, contact T. Funikawa, National Institute Radiol Science, Molecular Imaging Center, Chiba 2638555, Japan.
