Non-invasive Use of Positron Emission Tomography to Monitor Diethyl maleate and Radiation-Induced Changes in System xC− Activity in Breast Cancer

Abstract

PurposeThe system xC− transporter is upregulated in cancer cells in response to oxidative stress (OS). 5-[18F]fluoroaminosuberic acid ([18F]FASu) has been reported as a novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent, targeting system xC−. The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of [18F]FASu in monitoring cellular response to diethyl maleate (DEM) and radiation-induced OS fluctuations.Procedures[18F]FASu uptake by breast cancer cells was studied in correlation to OS biomarkers: glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as transcriptional and translational levels of xCT (the functional subunit of xC−). System xC− inhibitor, sulfasalazine (SSZ), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown were used as negative controls. Radiotracer uptake was evaluated in three breast cancer models: MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and ZR-75-1, at two-time points (1\xa0h and 16\xa0h) following OS induction. In vivo [18F]FASu imaging and biodistribution were performed using MDA-MB-231 xenograft-bearing mice at 16 and 24\xa0h post-radiation treatment.Results[18F]FASu uptake was positively correlated to intracellular GSH and SLC7A11 expression levels, and radiotracer uptake was induced both by radiation treatment and by DEM at time points longer than 3\xa0h. In an in vivo setting, there was no statistically significant uptake difference between irradiated and control tumors.Conclusion[18F]FASu is a specific system xC− PET radiotracer and as such it can be used to monitor system xC− activity due to OS. As such, [18F]FASu has the potential to be used in therapy response monitoring by PET. Further optimization is required for in vivo application.