Immuno-PET imaging based radioimmunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma model.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most comprehensively studied molecular targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, inherent and acquired resistance are serious problems and are responsible for limited clinical efficacy and tumor recurrence. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of immuno-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with64 Cu-/177 Lu-PCTA-cetuximab in cetuximab-resistant SNU-1066 HNSCC xenografted model. The cellular uptake of64 Cu/177 Lu-3,6,9,15-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1]-pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene-3,6,9,-triacetic acid (PCTA)-cetuximab showed good correlation with western blot and flow cytometry analysis in EGFR expression level of various HNSCC cells.177 Lu-PCTA-cetuximab selectively killed cetuximab-resistant SNU-1066 cells in vitro .64 Cu-/177 Lu-PCTA-cetuximab specifically accumulated in SNU-1066 tumor and those uptakes were peaked at 48 h and 7 day, respectively in biodistribution, PET and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. RIT with single dose of177 Lu-PCTA-cetuximab exhibited significant tumor regression and markedly reduced 2-[18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18 F-FDG) uptake, compared to other groups. Proliferation index were dramatically decreased and apoptotic index increased in RIT group. These results suggest that a diagnostic and therapeutic convergence radiopharmaceutical,64 Cu-/177 Lu-PCTA-cetuximab has the potential of target selection using immuno-PET imaging and targeted therapy by RIT in EGFR expressing cetuximab-resistant HNSCC tumors.