In vivo and in vitro multitracer analyses of P-glycoprotein expression-related multidrug resistance

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is an ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporter that is often overexpressed in tumours, contributing significantly to their multidrug resistance. In this study, we explored whether the radiotracers used in tumour diagnostics can be used for in vivo visualisation of Pgp-related multidrug resistance. We also examined the effects of different Pgp modulators on the accumulation of these radioligands in tumours with or without Pgp expression. In a SCID BC-17 mouse model, cells of the drug-sensitive KB-3-1 (MDR−) and the KB-V1 Pgp-expressing (MDR+) human epidermoid carcinoma cell lines were inoculated to yield tumours in opposite flanks. For in vivo scintigraphic (biodistribution) and positron emission tomography (PET) examinations, the mice were injected with technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxybutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI), carbon-11 labelled methionine and fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18FDG). For validation, in vitro cell studies with 99mTc-MIBI, 99mTc-tetrofosmin, [11C]methionine and 18FDG were carried out using a gamma counter. The expression and function of the MDR product were proved by immunohistochemistry and spectrofluorimetry. 99mTc-MIBI uptake was significantly lower in KB-V1 cells as compared with KB-3-1-derived tumours in vivo (Pgp+/Pgp− =0.61±0.13; P<0.01) and cells in vitro (Pgp+/Pgp− =0.08±0.01; P<0.001).Cyclosporin A reversed 99mTc-MIBI uptake in the Pgp+ cells, while verapamil failed to modify it. 18FDG uptake was significantly higher in KB-V1 tumours (Pgp+/Pgp− =1.36±0.05; P<0.01) and cells (Pgp+/Pgp− =1.52±0.12; P<0.001). Whereas cyclosporin A eliminated the difference between FDG uptake in MDR+ and MDR− cell lines, verapamil significantly increased it. When the animals were treated with verapamil, the ratio of 99mTc-MIBI uptake in the MDR+ tumours to that in the MDR− tumours decreased to 0.38±0.05 (P<0.01), while the ratio of 18FDG uptake increased to 2.1±0.3 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the [11C]methionine uptake in the MDR+ and MDR− tumours and cell lines, nor was [11C]methionine accumulation modified by cyclosporin A. Parallel administration of 18FDG and 99mTc-MIBI combined with verapamil treatment seems to be a good candidate as a non-invasive marker for the diagnosis of MDR-related Pgp expression in tumours.