Imaging integrin αvβ3 positive glioma with a novel RGD dimer probe and the impact of antiangiogenic agent (Endostar) on its tumor uptake

Integrin αvβ3 has been recognized to play an important role in angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. It will be of interest to apply this promising target for tumor imaging and visualization of tumor angiogenesis in vivo. In this study, a novel integrin αvβ3 targetting imaging probe, 99mTc-HYNIC-E[c(RGDfK)]2, was used to investigate the glioma uptake in vitro and in vivo before and after treatment with an antiangiogenic agent, endostar. The results indicated that U87MG glioma cells have high expression of integrin αvβ3 and special uptake of 99mTc-HYNIC-E[c(RGDfK)]2 both in cell line and in tumor xenograft. The endostatin analogue endostar can inhibit the expression of integrin αvβ3 receptors in both U87MG cells in vitro and glioma tissues, which suggested that integrin pathway may play a role in antiangiogenic effect of Endostar. 99mTc-HYNIC-E[c(RGDfK)]2 may be a promising molecular imaging probe for integrin αvβ3 positive tumor imaging and open up the possibility to establish an molecular imaging modality for assessment of tomor antiangiogenic therapy.