Frontiers in Medicine (Aug 2024)

The diagnostic value of 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 PET/CT imaging for HER2-positive lung adenocarcinoma

  • Shu Li,
  • Shu Li,
  • Ke Wang,
  • Xue Zhu,
  • Donghui Pan,
  • Ling Wang,
  • Xu Guo,
  • Xiaomin Gao,
  • Xiaomin Gao,
  • Qing Luo,
  • Qing Luo,
  • Xun Wang,
  • Xun Wang,
  • Xun Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1447500
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundThe human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene (HER2) has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging provides a reliable strategy for in vivo determination of HER2 expression through whole-body detection of abnormalities. The PET tracer 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 has shown promising results for HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. This study aims to evaluate the performance of 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342in vitro and in vivo models and in clinical patients with HER2-positive LUAD.MethodsNOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 was synthesized and labeled with 68Ga. Cell uptake, cell binding ability, and stability studies of 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 were assessed both in the Calu-3 lung cancer (LC) cell line and normal mice. In vivo assessment in tumor-bearing mice was conducted using microPET imaging and biodistribution experiments. Additionally, preliminary PET/CT imaging analysis was performed on HER2-positive LC patients.Results68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 was prepared with a radiochemical purity (RCP) exceeding 95%. The tracer demonstrated high cell uptake in HER2-overexpressing Calu-3 cells, with an IC50 of 158.9, an adequate 1.73 nM. Good stability was exhibited both in vitro and in vivo. MicroPET imaging of Calu-3-bearing mice revealed high tumor uptake and notable tumor-to-background ratios. Positive outcomes were also observed in two HER2-positive LUAD patients.Conclusion68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 demonstrated satisfactory stability, sensitivity, and specificity. These findings suggest that 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 PET/CT imaging provides a novel tool for non-invasive visual assessment of HER2 expression in LUAD patients.

Keywords