Multi-tracer small animal PET imaging of the tumour response to the novel pan-Erb-B inhibitor CI-1033

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed as "proof of concept" for a drug development model utilising multi-tracer serial small animal PET imaging to characterise tumour responses to molecularly targeted therapy. METHODS: Mice bearing subcutaneous A431 human squamous carcinoma xenografts (n=6-8) were treated with the pan-Erb-B inhibitor CI-1033 or vehicle and imaged serially (days 0, 3 and 6 or 7) with [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose, [(18)F]fluoro-L: -thymidine, [(18)F]fluoro-azoazomycinarabinoside or [(18)F]fluoromisonidazole. Separate cohorts (n=3) were treated identically and tumours were assessed ex vivo for markers of glucose metabolism, proliferation and hypoxia. RESULTS: During the study period, m..