Imaging taxane-induced tumor apoptosis using PEGylated, 111In-labeled annexin V

Tc-99m-Labeled annexin V has been used for the imaging of tumor apoptosis induced by chemotherapy. However, owing to the short half-life of annexin V, multiple injections of the radio-tracer are necessary to capture the peak apoptotic activity. In this study, we evaluated the imaging properties of an "'Inlabeled, long-circulating annexin V. Methods: Both polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the metal chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) were simultaneously introduced to annexin V or ovalbumin through the use of a heterofunctional PEG precursor. Imaging studies were performed in mice bearing subcutaneously inoculated human mammary MDA-MB-468 tumors. The mice were treated with POIY(L-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel, monoclonal antibody C225, or a combination Of POIY(L-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel and C225, followed by intraver injection of In-111-DTPA-PEG-annexin V. Images were acquired 48 h after the injection of the radiotracer. Autoradiography and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) staining were performed on adjacent tumor slices for the localization of apoptotic cells. The imaging properties of unPEGylated annexin V and PEGylated ovalbumin were also determined to permit assessment of the specificity of (111)InDTPA-PEG-annexin Results: Tumor apoptotic index 'increased from 1.67% +/- 0.31 % at baseline to 7.60% +/- 0.72% and 11.07% +/- 1.81%, respectively, 4 d after treatment with POIY(L-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel or combined POIY(L-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel and C225. Tumor uptake (percentage of injected dose per gram of tumor [%ID/g]) of PEGylated In-111-DTPA-PEG-annexin 4 d after treatment was significantly higher in tumors treated with POIY(L-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel (10.76 +/- 1.38 %ID/g; P = 0.001) and with combined POIY(L-glutamic acid)-paclitaxel and C225 (9.84 +/- 2.51 %ID/g; P = 0.029) than in nontreated tumors (6.14 +/- 0.67 %ID/g), resulting in enhanced visualization of treated tumors. In-111-DTPA-PEG-annexin V distributed into the central zone of tumors, whereas "'In-DTPAannexin V was largely confined to the tumor periphery. Furthermore, uptake of In-111-DTPA-PEG-annexin V by tumors correlated with apoptotic index (r = 0.87, P = 0.02). Increase in tumor uptake of the nonspecific PEGylated protein In-111-DTPA-PEG-ovalbumin was also observed after POIY(L-glutamic acid)paclitaxel treatment (55.6%), although this increase was lessthan that observed for In-111-DTPA-PEG-annexin V (96.7%). Conclusion: Increased uptake of and improved visualization with In-111-DTPA-PEG-annexin V in solid tumors after chemotherapy are mediated through both specific binding to apoptotic cells and nonspecific retention of macromolecular contrast agents in the tumors. In-111-Labeled, PEGylated annexin V may be used to assess tumor response to chemotherapy.