Biometabolic Distribution of 99mTc-3PRGD2 and its Potential Value in Monitoring Chemotherapeutic Effects

Previous studies have reported that 99mTc-3PRGD2 is an excellent tumor imaging agent that showed a good correlation with integrin αvβ3, a main factor of tumor-induced angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the biometabolic distribution characteristics of 99mTc-3PRGD2 with a continuous dynamic acquisition mode to explore the potential value of 99mTc-3PRGD2 in monitoring chemotherapeutic effects in VX2 tumor models. Eighteen rabbits with 27 implanted VX2 squamous cell tumors were randomly divided into a nontreated control group (NTG, n = 8; 12 tumors) and a treatment group (TG, n = 10; 15 tumors). 99mTc-3PRGD2 imaging was performed prior to cisplatin injection and repeated on days 0,1, 7, and 14 postinjection. Continuous dynamic scanning up to 30 minutes; static imaging at 0.5 hours, 1 hour, and 3 hours; and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT)-integrated imaging at 3 hours post-99mTc-3PRGD2 injection were performed. The peak time (time to reach peak in dynamic cur...