Imaging and dosimetry of 99mTc EC annexin V:: Preliminary clinical study targeting apoptosis in breast tumors

Background: Early detection of cellular events is important to predict the outcome of the patients. This study was aimed to use Tc-99m EC-annexin V to image tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. Methods: In 10 patients with breast cancer, scintigraphic images and dosimetric estimates were obtained after administering Tc-99m EC-annexin V. Results: Nine of the 10 cases showed detectable Tc-99m EC-annexin V uptake in tumor. Higher values of T/N ratios are associated with patient after treatment. Conclusions: Apoptosis can be quantified using Tc-99m EC-annexin V. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.