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Aren van Waarde

Publications and source records attributed to Aren van Waarde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of sigma-ligands and metabolic PET tracers for differentiating tumor from inflammation.

UNLABELLED: Novel radiopharmaceuticals for the detection of tumors and their metastases may be of clinical interest if they are more tumor selective than (18)F-FDG. Increased glucose metabolism of inflammatory tissues is the main source of false-positive (18)F-FDG PET findings in oncology. METHODS: We compared the biodistribution of 4 PET tracers (2 sigma-receptor ligands, (11)C-choline, and (11)C-methionine) with previously published biodistribution data of 3'-deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine ((18)F-FLT) and of (18)F-FDG in the same animal model. The model consisted of male Wistar rats that bore tumors (C6 rat glioma in the right shoulder) and also had sterile inflammation in the left calf muscle (induced by injection of 0.1 mL of turpentine). Twenty-four hours after turpentine injection, the rats received an intravenous bolus of PET tracer (approximately 30 MBq in the case of (18)F and 74 MBq for (11)C). RESULTS: (18)F-FDG showed the highest tumor-to-muscle ratio of all radiopharmaceuticals (13.2 +/- 3.0, mean +/- SD), followed at a large distance by the sigma-1 ligand (11)C-SA4503 (5.1 +/- 1.7), (18)F-FLT (3.8 +/- 1.3), the non-subtype-selective sigma-ligand (18)F-FE-SA5845 (3.3 +/- 1.5), (11)C-choline (3.1 +/- 0.4), and (11)C-methionine (2.8 +/- 0.3). sigma-Ligands and (18)F-FLT were relatively tumor selective ((18)F-FE-SA5845, greater than 30-fold; (11)C-SA4503 and (18)F-FLT, greater than 10-fold). The tumor selectivity of (11)C-methionine was only slightly better than that of (18)F-FDG. (11)C-Choline showed equal uptake in tumor and inflammation. All tracers were avidly taken up by proliferative tissue (small intestine, bone marrow). High physiologic uptake of some compounds was observed in brain, heart, lung, pancreas, spleen, and salivary gland. CONCLUSION: sigma-Ligands and (18)F-FLT were more tumor selective than (18)F-FDG, (11)C-choline, or (11)C-methionine in our animal model. However, these novel radiopharmaceuticals were less sensitive than were the established oncologic tracers.

Animals↗

Early response of sigma-receptor ligands and metabolic PET tracers to 3 forms of chemotherapy: an in vitro study in glioma cells.

UNLABELLED: The significant presence of nontumor cell populations within tumors can complicate the assessment of in vivo tumor metabolism during therapy. To more clearly define the impact of cytotoxic agents, we compared early changes in the uptake of 6 PET tracers in cultured glioma cells. Doxorubicin (1 micromol/L), cisplatin (10 micromol/L), and 5-fluorouracil (10 mmol/L) were selected to target different aspects of cellular metabolism. METHODS: The tracers were 2 extracellular sigma-receptor ligands, (18)F-FE-SA5845 (nonsubtype selective) and (11)C-SA4503 (sigma-1), the nucleoside 3'-deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine ((18)F-FLT), (11)C-choline, (11)C-methionine, and (18)F-FDG. C6 glioma cells were grown as monolayers and exposed to cytotoxic agents at concentrations at least 1 order of magnitude higher than the concentration for 50% growth inhibition of this cell line. Effects on cellular parameters were measured after 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 24 h. RESULTS: All treatments resulted in a decline in cell numbers within 24 h. The binding of the sigma-ligands (11)C-SA4503 and (18)F-FE-SA5845 and the uptake of (11)C-choline (normalized for the number of viable cells) were strongly increased. The uptake of (18)F-FDG showed little change, and cellular accumulation of (18)F-FLT and (11)C-methionine was decreased. Uptake of (18)F-FLT and (11)C-methionine was related to the fraction of cells in S-phase, but not under all conditions: (a) doxorubicin caused a more rapid decline in (18)F-FLT uptake than in the S-phase fraction because of depletion of cellular adenosine triphosphate, and (b) cisplatin inhibited the transport of (11)C-methionine across the tumor cell membrane. CONCLUSION: Increased binding of sigma-ligands and an increased uptake of (11)C-choline after chemotherapy may reflect active membrane repair in damaged cells. (18)F-FLT and (11)C-methionine behaved as proliferation markers. However, the accumulation of (18)F-FDG reflected not the proliferation rate but, rather, the number of viable cells per well.

Animals↗

Positron emission tomography studies of human airways using an inhaled beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, S-11C-CGP 12388.

OBJECTIVES: Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning may provide information on changes in the density and affinity of airway beta-adrenoceptors in lung diseases. However, the injection of a radiolabeled beta-blocker results in a pulmonary PET signal that reflects the binding of the ligand in the alveoli and not in the airways. Better discrimination between alveolar and airway beta-adrenoceptors may be possible with an inhaled radioligand. DESIGN: A nebulizer was used to administer the antagonist S-11C-CGP12388 in aerosol form. Eight volunteers inhaled the tracer twice, at baseline and after pretreatment with a beta-adrenergic drug. In both PET scan studies, a dynamic scan of the lungs was followed by a whole-body scan to assess the inhaled dose. Pulmonary uptake was quantified using a region-of-interest-based analysis. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Pretreatment consisted either of inhaled salbutamol (400 microg, 20 min before the scan), or orally administered pindolol (3 x 5 mg during a period of 16 h before PET scanning). RESULTS: Drug pretreatment did not affect pulmonary deposition of the radioligand. The agonist salbutamol accelerated the monoexponential washout of 11C not only in the peripheral lung (mainly alveoli), but also in the central lung (mainly airways) and in the main bronchi. An even larger increase of the washout rate was induced by the antagonist pindolol. CONCLUSION: The similar effects of pindolol and salbutamol on tracer kinetics suggest that accelerated washout is due to the blockade of beta-adrenoceptors. Thus, the interaction of drugs with airway beta-adrenoceptors can be visualized using PET scanning and an inhaled radioligand.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Synthesis and evaluation of dopamine D3 receptor antagonist 11C-GR218231 as PET tracer for P-glycoprotein.

UNLABELLED: While searching for a PET method to determine the density and occupancy of the dopamine D(3) receptor, we found evidence that suggested that the dopamine D(3) antagonist GR218231 could be a substrate of the P-glycoprotein efflux pump. P-glycoprotein protects the brain against toxic substances and xenobiotics, but it also hampers the delivery of various drugs into the brain. In this study, we aimed to explore whether radiolabeled GR218231 could be applied as a PET tracer for monitoring P-glycoprotein activity in the blood-brain barrier. Such an imaging technique could be useful for the development of new drugs and novel strategies to deliver drugs to the brain and for identification of undesirable drug-drug interactions. METHODS: As a potential PET tracer, GR218231 was labeled with (11)C by reaction of the newly synthesized desmethyl precursor with (11)C-methyl triflate. The biodistribution of (11)C-GR218231 was determined in rats. To assess specific binding to the dopamine D(3) receptor, blocking experiments with unlabeled GR218231 (0.2 and 2.5 mg/kg) were performed. To demonstrate the influence of P-glycoprotein on cerebral uptake of (11)C-GR218231, the efflux pump was modulated with 50 mg/kg cyclosporine A. The sensitivity of (11)C-GR218231 for P-glycoprotein modulation was assessed in dose-response studies, using escalating cyclosporine A dosages. RESULTS: (11)C-GR218231 was prepared in 53% +/- 8% decay-corrected radiochemical yield and had a specific activity of 15 +/- 10 GBq/micromol (mean +/- SD). Biodistribution studies in rats revealed a low and homogeneous uptake in the brain. Pretreatment of the animals with unlabeled GR218231 did not demonstrate any specific binding. Modulation of P-glycoprotein with cyclosporine A caused a 12-fold higher (11)C-GR218231 uptake in the brain, indicating that the low cerebral tracer uptake was caused by the P-glycoprotein efflux pump in the blood-brain barrier. Cyclosporine A dose-escalation studies showed a dose-dependent sigmoidal increase in (11)C-GR218231 uptake in brain and spleen (median effective dose [ED(50)], 23.3 +/- 0.6 and 38.4 +/- 2.4 mg/kg, respectively), whereas a dose-dependent decrease was observed in the pancreas (ED(50), 36.0 +/- 4.4 mg/kg). CONCLUSION: Although (11)C-GR218231 is unsuited for dopamine D(3) receptor imaging with PET, it appears to be an attractive PET tracer for visualization and quantification of P-glycoprotein activity in the blood-brain barrier.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The human norepinephrine transporter in combination with 11C-m-hydroxyephedrine as a reporter gene/reporter probe for PET of gene therapy.

UNLABELLED: Although the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene has been frequently applied as a reporter gene for monitoring gene transfection in animals, it has some intrinsic limitations for use in humans. In our search for a reporter gene that lacks these limitations, we have evaluated the feasibility of the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) as a reporter gene in combination with the reporter probe 11C-m-hydroxyephedrine (mHED) for PET. METHODS: An adenoviral vector (AdTrack-hNET) containing the hNET gene as reporter gene and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as a substitute for a therapeutic gene was constructed. After COS-7, A2780, and U373 cells were transiently transduced with AdTrack-hNET, hNET protein expression, EGFP fluorescence, and cellular uptake of 11C-mHED were determined. In rats, U373 tumor xenografts were grown and transiently transduced with either AdTrack-hNET or an AdTrack-Luc control adenovirus. Intratumoral accumulation of 11C-mHED was determined by PET and ex vivo biodistribution. The tumors were subsequently examined for EGFP fluorescence. RESULTS: 11C-mHED uptake was positively correlated with AdTrack-hNET viral titer and hNET protein expression. However, large differences in transfection efficiency between cell lines were observed. The highest 11C-mHED uptake was found in hNET transfected U373 cells, in which tracer uptake was >70-fold higher than that in control cells. 11C-mHED accumulation could be inhibited by desipramine, a potent inhibitor of hNET. In all cell lines, 11C-mHED uptake was positively correlated with EGFP fluorescence, implying that imaging of hNET with 11C-mHED would enable monitoring of a coexpressed therapeutic gene. In the animal model, gene transfection efficiencies were very low, as determined by EGFP fluorescence. Still, a significantly higher 11C-mHED uptake in hNET transduced tumors than that in control tumors was demonstrated by ex vivo biodistribution studies. PET with a clinical camera could visualize 1 of 3 hNET transduced tumors, indicating that the transfection efficiency was near the detection limit. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that monitoring of gene therapy using the hNET/11C-mHED reporter gene/probe is feasible, but further investigation with regard to the sensitivity of the technique is required.

Adenoviridae↗

Myocardial beta-adrenoceptor downregulation in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy measured in vivo with PET using the new radioligand (S)-[11C]CGP12388.

PURPOSE: The beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR) plays an important role in heart failure. Recently, the new tracer (S)-[11C]CGP12388 has been developed. It displays excellent properties for investigation of the cardiac beta-ARs in vivo with positron emission tomography (PET). Furthermore, the simple production method allows its use in a routine clinical setting. The aim of this study was to investigate whether decreased myocardial beta-AR density in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) can be estimated using (S)-[11C]CGP12388 PET. METHODS: Myocardial beta-AR density was investigated in six patients with IDC and six age-matched healthy controls, using (S)-[11C]CGP12388 PET. RESULTS: Beta-AR densities of 5.4+/-1.3 pmol/g (mean +/- SD) were observed in patients; these values were significantly lower than those observed in healthy controls (8.4+/-1.5 pmol/g, p<0.005). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that PET with (S)-[11C]CGP12388 is applicable for the measurement of myocardial beta-AR density in patients. A highly significant reduction in beta-AR density was found in patients with IDC compared with healthy controls.

Adult↗

Receptor imaging in the thorax with PET.

This review focuses on positron emission tomography (PET)-imaging of receptors in the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems of heart and lung and highlights the human applications of PET. For the alpha-adrenoceptor, only [11C]GB67 (N2-[6-[(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)(methyl)amino]hexyl]-N2-[11C]methyl-2-furamide hydrochloride) has been developed. Its potential for application in patients needs to be assessed. For both the beta-adrenergic and the muscarinic systems, potent PET radioligands have been prepared and evaluated in patients. It has been possible to measure receptor densities quantitatively in human heart [[11C]MQNB: [11C]methylquinuclidinyl benzilate, [11C]CGP12177: S-(3'-t-butylamino-2'-hydroxypropoxy)-benzimidazol-2-[11C]one and [11C]CGP12388: (S)-4-(3-(2'-[11C]isopropylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one] and qualitatively in lung [[11C]VC002: N-[11C]-methyl-piperidin-4-yl-2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate and [11C]CGP12177]. Besides these subtype nonselective radioligands, the development of compounds that are selective for one subtype are ongoing and have not found successful application in humans yet.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

In vivo binding behavior of dopamine receptor agonist (+)-PD 128907 and implications for the "ceiling effect" in endogenous competition studies with [(11)C]raclopride-a positron emission tomography study in Macaca mulatta.

In in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) studies, dopamine that is released secondary to amphetamine administration appears unable to achieve a receptor occupancy that is significantly higher than 50% ("ceiling effect"). Also with exogenous agonists no studies have reported a higher than 50% occupancy. To investigate the feasibility of exceeding 50% occupancy in vivo with a dopamine receptor agonist we administered D2/D3 agonist (+)-PD 128907 over an extensive dose range. Two anesthetised Macaca mulatta males were used in a bolus-infusion protocol for [(11)C]raclopride. (+)-PD 128907 was administered as an intravenous challenge during separate PET scans in a dose range of 10 to 10000 nmol/kg. Occupancy by (+)-PD 128907 was estimated by comparing the binding before and after challenge. In a striatal region of interest, receptor occupancy by (+)-PD 128907 increased in an orderly dose-dependent manner to a maximum of at least 85%. This is the first indication that virtually all dopamine D2/D3 receptors in the striatum are in principle accessible to agonist binding. In the case of dopamine a number of protective mechanisms may be responsible for the ceiling effect.

Animals↗

PET Studies on P-glycoprotein function in the blood-brain barrier: how it affects uptake and binding of drugs within the CNS.

Permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the factors determining the bioavailability of therapeutic drugs. The BBB only allows entry of lipophilic compounds with low molecular weights by passive diffusion. However, many lipophilic drugs show negligible brain uptake. They are substrates for transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug-resistance associated protein (MRP) and organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs). The action of these carrier systems results in rapid efflux of xenobiotics from the central nervous system (CNS). Classification of candidate drugs as substrates or inhibitors of such carrier proteins is of crucial importance in drug development. Positron emission tomography (PET) can play an important role in the screening process by providing in vivo information, after the putative drug has passed in vitro tests. Although radiolabeled probes for MRP and OATP function are not yet available, many radiotracers have been prepared to study P-glycoprotein function in vivo with PET. These include alkaloids ((11)C-colchicine), antineoplastic agents ((11)C-daunorubicin, (18)F-paclitaxel), modulators of L-type calcium channels ((11)C-(+/-)verapamil, (11)C-R(+)-verapamil), beta-adrenoceptor antagonists ((11)C-(S)-carazolol, (18)F-(S)-1'-fluorocarazolol, (11)C-carvedilol), serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonists ((18)F-MPPF), opioid receptor antagonists ((11)C-loperamide, (11)C-carfentanyl), and various (64)Cu-labeled copper complexes. Studies in experimental animals have indicated that it is possible to assess P-glycoprotein function in the BBB and its effect on the uptake and binding of drugs within the intact CNS, using suitable P-gp modulators labeled with positron emitters. Provided that radiopharmaceuticals (and P-gp modulators) can be developed for human use, several exciting fields of study may be explored, viz. (i) direct evaluation of the effect of modulators on the cerebral uptake of therapeutic drugs; (ii) assessment of mechanisms underlying drug resistance in epilepsy; (iii) examination of the role of the BBB in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and affective disorders; and (iv) exploration of the relationship between polymorphisms of transporter genes and the pharmacokinetics of test compounds within the CNS.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PET imaging of beta-adrenoceptors in human brain: a realistic goal or a mirage?

Beta-adrenoceptors are predominantly located in the cerebral cortex, nucleus accumbens and striatum. At lower densities, they are also present in amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum. Beta-2 sites regulate glial proliferation during ontogenic development, after trauma and in neurodegenerative diseases. The densities of beta-1 adrenoceptors are changed by stress, in several mood disorders (depression, excessive hostility, schizophrenia) and during treatment of patients with antidepressants. A technique for beta-adrenoceptor imaging in the human brain is not yet available. Although 24 (ant)agonists have been labeled with either (11)C or (18)F and some of these are successful myocardial imaging agents, only two (S-1'-(18)F-fluorocarazolol and S-1'-(18)F-fluoroethylcarazolol) could actually visualize beta-adrenoceptors within the central nervous system. Unfortunately, these radiopharmaceuticals showed a positive Ames test. They may be mutagenic and cannot be employed for human studies. Screening of more than 150 beta-blockers described in the literature yields only two compounds (exaprolol and L643,717) which can still be radiolabeled and evaluated for beta-adenoceptor imaging. However, other imaging techniques could be examined. Cerebral beta-adrenoceptors might be labeled after temporary opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and simultaneous administration of a hydrophilic ligand such as S-(11)C-CGP12388. Another approach to target beta-adrenoceptor ligands to the CNS is esterification of a myocardial imaging agent (such as (11)C-CGP12177), resulting in a lipophilic prodrug which can cross the BBB and is split by tissue esterases. BBB opening is not feasible in healthy subjects, but the prodrug approach may be successful and deserves to be explored.

Animals↗

Selectivity of 18F-FLT and 18F-FDG for differentiating tumor from inflammation in a rodent model.

UNLABELLED: Increased glucose metabolism of inflammatory tissues is the main source of false-positive (18)F-FDG PET findings in oncology. It has been suggested that radiolabeled nucleosides might be more tumor specific. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we compared the biodistribution of 3'-deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine (FLT) and (18)F-FDG in Wistar rats that bore tumors (C6 rat glioma in the right shoulder) and also had sterile inflammation in the left calf muscle (induced by injection of 0.1 mL of turpentine). Twenty-four hours after turpentine injection, the rats received an intravenous bolus (30 MBq) of either (18)F-FLT (n = 5) or (18)F-FDG (n = 5). Pretreatment of the animals with thymidine phosphorylase (>1,000 U/kg, intravenously) before injection of (18)F-FLT proved to be necessary to reduce the serum levels of endogenous thymidine and achieve satisfactory tumor uptake of radioactivity. RESULTS: Tumor-to-muscle ratios of (18)F-FDG at 2 h after injection (13.2 +/- 3.0) were higher than those of (18)F-FLT (3.8 +/- 1.3). (18)F-FDG showed high physiologic uptake in brain and heart, whereas (18)F-FLT was avidly taken up by bone marrow. (18)F-FDG accumulated in the inflamed muscle, with 4.8 +/- 1.2 times higher uptake in the affected thigh than in the contralateral healthy thigh, in contrast to (18)F-FLT, for which this ratio was not significantly different from unity (1.3 +/- 0.4). CONCLUSION: In (18)F-FDG PET images, both tumor and inflammation were visible, but (18)F-FLT PET showed only the tumor. Thus, the hypothesis that (18)F-FLT has a higher tumor specificity was confirmed in our animal model.

Animals↗

Tumor imaging with 2 sigma-receptor ligands, 18F-FE-SA5845 and 11C-SA4503: a feasibility study.

UNLABELLED: Our objective was to study 2 radioligands for visualization of sigma-receptors with PET. METHODS: Two radioligands-sigma(1)-selective (11)C-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine ((11)C-SA4503) and nonsubtype-selective 1-(4-2'-(18)F-fluoroethoxy-3-methoxyphenethyl)-4-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)propyl)piperazine ((18)F-FE-SA5845)-were evaluated for tumor imaging. RESULTS: Binding studies to rat glioma cells (C6) and human nonsmall cell lung cancer cells (N417) indicated interaction of (18)F-FE-SA5845 with 2 sites and interaction of (11)C-SA4503 with a single site. Specific binding of (18)F-FE-SA5845 was 93% +/- 2% and that of (11)C-SA4503 was 78% +/- 6% of the total cellular uptake of radioactivity. Uptake of the (18)F-labeled ligand, but not that of the (11)C-labeled ligand, appeared to be related to the growth phase of the cells. Biodistribution experiments in C6 tumor-bearing nude rats (Ham HSD RNU rnu) indicated tumor-to-plasma ratios of 13.3 for (11)C-SA4503 and 8.0 for (18)F-FE-SA5845 and tumor-to-muscle ratios of 5.0 for (11)C-SA4503 and 4.9 for (18)F-FE-SA5845, 60 min after injection, which were reduced to values ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 after pretreatment of animals with haloperidol (2 micromol/kg). Tumor uptake of (18)F-FE-SA5845 showed a negative correlation with tumor size (P < 0.0001), in contrast to that of (11)C-SA4503, suggesting that tissue binding of the former ligand is related to cellular proliferation. A study with (11)C-SA4503 in a human volunteer indicated high uptake in liver, kidney, and heart but relatively low background in thorax and lower abdomen. CONCLUSION: Both (18)F-FE-SA5845 and (11)C-SA4503 demonstrate specific binding to sigma-receptors in vivo and may be useful for the detection of pulmonary and abdominal tumors. However, the (18)F-labeled compound may be better for tumor staging than the (11)C-labeled drug.

Aged↗

Evaluation of [18F]FHPG as PET tracer for HSVtk gene expression.

In rats, the relationship between [(18)F]FHPG accumulation and HSVtk expression was studied with PET and autoradiography. [(18)F]FHPG distribution closely corresponded with HSVtk immunohistochemical staining. ROI analysis of tracer uptake 2 hours p.i. and Patlak graphical analysis were applied to quantify the PET data. For both analysis methods, the [(18)F]FHPG PET signal correlated well with the fraction of HSVtk expressing cells implanted, but showed a plateau when plotted against HSVtk protein levels. This might be due to rate limiting [(18)F]FHPG membrane transport.

Animals↗

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 18F-desbromo-DuP-697 as a PET tracer for cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

UNLABELLED: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression has been observed in various pathologies, such as inflammation, cancer, ischemia, and Alzheimer's disease. As an initial step toward a noninvasive PET technique to assay COX-2 expression, this study describes the synthesis and preliminary evaluation of the radiolabeled COX-2 inhibitor (18)F-desbromo-DuP-697. METHODS: Desbromo-DuP-697 was radiolabeled by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of the nitro precursor with (18)F-fluoride. Biodistribution studies of the tracer were performed in a carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia rat model. Brain uptake was investigated with autoradiography. To confirm the results of the biodistribution, COX activity was determined by a peroxidase assay. RESULTS: Biodistribution studies showed specific binding of the tracer to COX-2 in heart, kidney, brain, and blood cells, but not in the inflamed paw, which was probably due to low COX-2 expression. In the brain, regional differences in tracer uptake were observed, with high uptake in cortical regions. (18)F-Desbromo-DuP-697 did not show any binding to COX-1. Nonspecific uptake was high in fat and intestines. CONCLUSION: Because of its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, (18)F-desbromo-DuP-697 appears to be suitable for COX-2 imaging in the brain. Its high nonspecific uptake in the intestines may limit its use for imaging in the abdominal region.

Animals↗

Quantification of beta-adrenoceptor density in the human heart with (S)-[11C]CGP 12388 and a tracer kinetic model.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the beta-adrenoceptor receptor density (Bmax) and the ligand affinity (KD) of (S)-[11C]CGP 12388 for the beta-adrenoceptor receptor could be determined using full tracer kinetic modelling of the transport of the ligand and its interaction with the receptor. This approach minimises the a priori assumptions and may thus serve as a gold standard to validate other simplified methods. Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) data were acquired in six healthy subjects during 60 min. Three different injection protocols were applied, each consisting of three injections with varying SAs: high specific activity (SA), low SA or unlabelled ligand only. Arterial blood samples were collected via a cannula in the radial artery. Time-activity data in myocardial tissue were obtained using regions of interest (ROIs) on short-axis planes. All data were analysed with a two-tissue compartment, six-parameter (K1, k2, k(on), k(off), Bmax, F(bv)) model that relies on explicit compartments for describing the kinetics of both labelled and unlabelled radioligand. Time-activity curves showed that unlabelled ligand could displace the radioligand from the receptor. This resulted in increased radioactivity levels in plasma. Modelling results yielded Bmax values of 9.74+/-1.80 nM and a KD of 0.58+/-0.22 nM, assuming a reaction volume of 0.15. In addition, parametric polar images of Bmax could be calculated. The protocol with injections of high SA, low SA, and unlabelled ligand, respectively, was found to be the most sensitive to parameter changes. We conclude that with tracer kinetic modelling of (S)-[11C]CGP 12388, the beta-adrenoceptor density in the human heart can accurately be obtained in vivo. This approach may thus serve as a gold standard.

Adult↗

Positron emission tomography: the conceptual idea using a multidisciplinary approach.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a method for quantitatively measuring biochemical and physiological processes in vivo by using radiopharmaceuticals labeled with positron-emitting radionuclides such as 11C, 13N, 15O, and 18F and by measuring the annihilation radiation using a coincidence technique. This technique is also used for measurement of the pharmacokinetics of labeled drugs and measurement of the effects of drugs on metabolism. Deviations from normal metabolism can be measured and insight into biological processes responsible for diseases can be obtained.

Cardiology↗