바로가기  >

Abstract

The high prevalence of thyroid nodules in the adult population and the relatively low incidence of thyroid cancer make the preoperative identification of malignant lesions challenging. The β-galactoside-binding protein galectin-3 is widely expressed in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas, but not in normal thyrocytes and benign thyroid nodules. This molecule offers a candidate biomarker to improve thyroid cancer diagnosis. Here we report the development of an immunoPET approach for noninvasive imaging of thyroid cancer. The method employs a (89)Zr-labeled mAb to galectin-3, which shows high specificity and binding affinity in vitro Reliable and specific immunoPET imaging was obtained of thyroid cancer in vivo in murine xenograft models of human thyroid cancer. Our findings provide a method to improve the clinical management of patients with thyroid nodules while reducing unnecessary surgery and social costs. 

Author information

D'Alessandria C1, Braesch-Andersen S2, Bejo K3, Reder S4, Blechert B4, Schwaiger M4, Bartolazzi A5.

1Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany. calogero.dalessandria@tum.de armando.bartolazzi@ki.se.

2Mabtech AB Research Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.

3Pathology Research Laboratory, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy.

4Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.

5Pathology Research Laboratory, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy. Pathology Research Laboratory, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. calogero.dalessandria@tum.de armando.bartolazzi@ki.se.