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VPAC1-targeted PET/CT scan: improved molecular imaging for the diagnosis of prostate cancer using a novel cell surface antigen

  • Topic Paper
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World Journal of Urology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Current approaches to prostate cancer screening and diagnosis are plagued with limitations in diagnostic accuracy. There is a compelling need for biomolecular imaging that will not only detect prostate cancer early but also distinguish prostate cancer from benign lesions accurately. In this topic paper, we review evidence that supports further investigation of VPAC1-targeted PET/CT imaging in the primary diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Methods

A non-systematic review of Medline/PubMed was performed. English language guidelines on prostate cancer diagnosis and management, original articles, and review articles were selected based on their clinical relevance.

Results

VPAC1 receptors were overexpressed 1000 times more in prostate cancer than benign prostatic stromal tissue. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that Copper-64 labeled analogs of VPAC1 ligands can be synthesized with high radiochemical efficiency and purity. The radioactive probes had excellent VPAC1 receptor binding specificity and affinity. They had good biochemical stability in vitro and in mouse and human serum. They had minimal urinary excretion, which made them favorable for prostate cancer imaging. Initial feasibility study in men with prostate cancer showed that the probes were safe with no reported adverse reaction. 64Cu-TP3805 PET/CT detected 98% of prostate cancer lesions and nodal metastasis as confirmed with whole mount histopathological evaluation.

Conclusions

VPAC1 receptors are promising targets for biomolecular imaging of primary prostate cancer that can distinguish malignant from benign lesions non-invasively. Further investigations are warranted to validate initial findings and define the clinical utilities of VPAC1-targeted PET imaging for prostate cancer diagnosis and management.

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Fig. 1

(This research was originally published in Zhang et al. [25]. Copyrighted by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.)

Fig. 2

(This research was originally published in Zhang et al. [25]. Copyrighted by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.)

Fig. 3

(This research was originally published in Tripathi et al. [28])

Fig. 4

(This research was originally published in Tripathi et al. [28])

Fig. 5

(This research was originally published in Tripathi et al. [28])

Fig. 6

(This research was originally published in Tripathi et al. [28])

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Abbreviations

CT:

Computed tomography

Da:

Dalton, atomic mass unit

DAR:

Digital autoradiography

DRE:

Digital rectal exam

eIND:

Exploratory Investigational New Drug

H&E:

Hematoxylin and eosin

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PET:

Positron-emission tomography

PIRADS:

Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System

PPV:

Positive predictive value

PSA:

Prostate specific antigen

SUV:

Standard uptake value

TRAMP:

Transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate

TRUS:

Transrectal ultrasound

VIP:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide

PACAP:

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide

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Funding

The studies were supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NCI-R01-157372, PI—MLT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1025 Walnut St, Suite 1102, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Hong Truong, Leonard G. Gomella & Edouard J. Trabulsi

  2. Department of Radiology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Mathew L. Thakur

Authors
  1. Hong Truong
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  2. Leonard G. Gomella
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  3. Mathew L. Thakur
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  4. Edouard J. Trabulsi
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Contributions

HT: data analysis and manuscript writing. LGG: project development and manuscript editing. MLT: project development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript editing. EJT: project development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edouard J. Trabulsi.

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Conflict of interest

MLT is a consultant to NuView Life Sciences. HT, LGG, and EJT declare no relevant financial interests.

Research involving human participants

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Truong, H., Gomella, L.G., Thakur, M.L. et al. VPAC1-targeted PET/CT scan: improved molecular imaging for the diagnosis of prostate cancer using a novel cell surface antigen. World J Urol 36, 719–726 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-018-2263-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-018-2263-1

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