MR targeted imaging for the expression of tenascin-C in cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE:: To detect cervical cancer and compare tumor invasiveness using a molecular targeted probe.

METHODS:: Tenascin-C expression was evaluated in 15 specimens. Five of them were cervical cancer with node metastasis (group A), five were cervical cancer without node metastasis (group B), and another five were normal cervix tissues (group C). Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles and tenascin-C antibody were conjugated as an MR probe. After the fresh tissues incubated with the probe for 24 h, MR was performed to analysis the tissue signal changes.

RESULTS:: Cervical cancer tissues with node metastasis showed highest tenascin-C expression, while normal cervix showed little expression. For the non-metastatic cervical cancer patients, tenascin-C showed moderate expression. Tenascin-C was found diffusely in the stromal surrounding malignant tumor cells. After MR, the image signal changes (contrast-to-noise ratio) kept consistent with tenascin-C expression and showed statistical difference between the three groups (A: 3.87 ± 1.45 vs B: 2.33 ± 1.04 vs C: 0.66 ± 0.31; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION:: Tenascin-C expression can help to detect cervical cancer. MRI with SPIO-antitenascin-C may be used to evaluate the preoperative cervical cancer patients with node metastasis.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: Tenascin-C expression can help to detect cervical cancer and compare cancer invasiveness. Protein expression difference can be captured and compared on MR with SPIO-antitenascin-C.