In vivo albumin labeling and lymphatic imaging

Y Wang, L Lang, P Huang, Z Wang… - Proceedings of the …, 2015 - National Acad Sciences
Y Wang, L Lang, P Huang, Z Wang, O Jacobson, DO Kiesewetter, IU Ali, G Teng, G Niu
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015National Acad Sciences
The ability to accurately and easily locate sentinel lymph nodes (LNs) with noninvasive
imaging methods would assist in tumor staging and patient management. For this purpose,
we developed a lymphatic imaging agent by mixing fluorine-18 aluminum fluoride-labeled
NOTA (1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane-N, N', N''-triacetic acid)-conjugated truncated Evans blue
(18F-AlF-NEB) and Evans blue (EB) dye. After local injection, both 18F-AlF-NEB and EB
form complexes with endogenous albumin in the interstitial fluid and allow for visualizing the …
The ability to accurately and easily locate sentinel lymph nodes (LNs) with noninvasive imaging methods would assist in tumor staging and patient management. For this purpose, we developed a lymphatic imaging agent by mixing fluorine-18 aluminum fluoride-labeled NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid)-conjugated truncated Evans blue (18F-AlF-NEB) and Evans blue (EB) dye. After local injection, both 18F-AlF-NEB and EB form complexes with endogenous albumin in the interstitial fluid and allow for visualizing the lymphatic system. Positron emission tomography (PET) and/or optical imaging of LNs was performed in three different animal models including a hind limb inflammation model, an orthotropic breast cancer model, and a metastatic breast cancer model. In all three models, the LNs can be distinguished clearly by the apparent blue color and strong fluorescence signal from EB as well as a high-intensity PET signal from 18F-AlF-NEB. The lymphatic vessels between the LNs can also be optically visualized. The easy preparation, excellent PET and optical imaging quality, and biosafety suggest that this combination of 18F-AlF-NEB and EB has great potential for clinical application to map sentinel LNs and provide intraoperative guidance.
National Acad Sciences