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There is increasing evidence that cancer contains cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are capable of regenerating a tumor following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CD44 and CD133 are used to identify CSCs. This study investigated non-invasive in vivo monitoring of CD44-positive cancer stem-like cells in breast cancer by γ-irradiation using molecular image by fusing the firefly luciferase (fLuc) gene with the CD44 promoter. We generated a breast cancer cell line stably expressing fLuc gene by use of recombinant lentiviral vector controlled by CD44 promoter (MCF7-CL). Irradiated MCF7-CL spheres showed upregulated expression of CD44 and CD133, by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Also, gene expression levels of CSCs markers in irradiated spheres were clearly increased. CD44+ CSCs increased fLuc expression and tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. When MCF7-CL was treated with siCD44 and irradiated, CD44 expression was inhibited and cell survival ratio was decreased. MCF7-CL subsets were injected into the mice and irradiated by using a cobalt-60 source. Then, in vivo monitoring was performed to observe the bioluminescence imaging (BLI). When breast cancer was irradiated, relative BLI signal was increased, but tumor volume was decreased compared to non-irradiated tumor. These results indicate that increased CD44 expression, caused by general feature of CSCs by irradiation and sphere formation, can be monitored by using bioluminescence imaging. This system could be useful to evaluate CD44- expressed CSCs in breast cancer by BLI in vivo as well as in vitro for radiotherapy.

Gastrin‑releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is overexpressed by a variety of human tumors and in particular, identified to be upregulated in prostate cancers. The current study aimed to develop clinically translatable BBN analogue‑based radioligands for positron emission tomography (PET) of GRPR‑positive tumors. We developed radiolabeled BBN analogues and modified radiolabeled galacto‑BBN analogues and then investigated their tumor‑targeting efficacy in vivo. The chelator 1,4,7‑triazacyclononane, 1‑glutaric acid‑4,7 acetic acid (NODAGA) was used to radiolabel the peptides with 64Cu. The peptides were evaluated by measuring cell‑based receptor‑binding affinities. Biodistribution experiments and small animal imaging using PET were performed in nude mice bearing subcutaneous PC3 human prostate cancer xenografts. The conjugates were radiolabeled with yields >99%. The stability assay showed that [64Cu]NODAGA‑BBN and [64Cu]NODAGA‑galacto‑BBN remained stable in both human and mouse serum for 1 h at 37˚C. PET images of PC3 tumor‑bearing nude mice were acquired at 1, 3, 24, 48 and 72 h after injection. [64Cu]NODAGA‑galacto‑BBN showed retention in tumors for 72 h, low liver uptake, and rapid renal clearance. PET imaging results were also confirmed by biodistrubution 1 and 3 h after injection. [64Cu]NODAGA‑BBN and [64Cu]NODAGA‑galacto‑BBN are promising new PET probes for GRPR‑positive prostate cancer.

Gastrin‑releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is overexpressed by a variety of human tumors and in particular, identified to be upregulated in prostate cancers. The current study aimed to develop clinically translatable BBN analogue‑based radioligands for positron emission tomography (PET) of GRPR‑positive tumors. We developed radiolabeled BBN analogues and modified radiolabeled galacto‑BBN analogues and then investigated their tumor‑targeting efficacy in vivo. The chelator 1,4,7‑triazacyclononane, 1‑glutaric acid‑4,7 acetic acid (NODAGA) was used to radiolabel the peptides with 64Cu. The peptides were evaluated by measuring cell‑based receptor‑binding affinities. Biodistribution experiments and small animal imaging using PET were performed in nude mice bearing subcutaneous PC3 human prostate cancer xenografts. The conjugates were radiolabeled with yields99%. The stability assay showed that [64Cu]NODAGA‑BBN and [64Cu]NODAGA‑galacto‑BBN remained stable in both human and mouse serum for 1 h at 37˚C. PET images of PC3 tumor‑bearing nude mice were acquired at 1, 3, 24, 48 and 72 h after injection. [64Cu]NODAGA‑galacto‑BBN showed retention in tumors for 72 h, low liver uptake, and rapid renal clearance. PET imaging results were also confirmed by biodistrubution 1 and 3 h after injection. [64Cu]NODAGA‑BBN and [64Cu]NODAGA‑galacto‑BBN are promising new PET probes for GRPR‑positive prostate cancer.