(99m)Tc-Glucarate for assessment of paclitaxel therapy in human ovarian cancer in mice

OBJECTIVES: The monitoring of cancer treatment response to chemotherapy is considered an essential strategy for follow-up of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of (99m)Tc-glucarate as a radiotracer for in vivo quantification and visualization of necrotic area and therapeutic effect of paclitaxel in ovarian cancer xenografted nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After implantation of human ovarian cancer (SKOV-3) in nude mice, tumor xenografted mice were enrolled in two groups as control and treatment (paclitaxel) groups. (99m)Tc-glucarate uptakes were quantified in tumors of control and treatment groups and also tumor imaging was performed with a gamma camera. The necrotic and viable areas of tumor and tumoral masses were evaluated through histopathological and macroscopic observations, respectively. RESULTS: (99m)Tc-glucarate uptake in tumor of treatment group was higher than control group.(99m)Tc-glucarate uptake in ovarian tumor was clearly visualized with gamma imaging in both groups, but paclitaxel treated group showed higher radioactive uptake than control mice. The necrotic area in tumoral mass of mice treated with paclitaxel was confirmed by histopathological observations. CONCLUSION: (99m)Tc-glucarate is an effective radiotracer for evaluation and monitoring of tumor necrosis caused by chemotherapy, and it may be helpful for therapy monitoring in patients with cancer.