A comparative small-animal PET evaluation of [11C]tariquidar, [11C]elacridar and (R)-[11C]verapamil for detection of P-glycoprotein-expressing murine breast cancer

Purpose

One important mechanism for chemoresistance of tumours is overexpression of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Pgp reduces intracellular concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs. The aim of this study was to compare the suitability of the radiolabelled Pgp inhibitors ¹¹C]tariquidar and ¹¹C]elacridar with the Pgp substrate radiotracer (R)-¹¹C]verapamil for discriminating tumours expressing low and high levels of Pgp using small-animal PET imaging in a murine breast cancer model.

Methods

Murine mammary carcinoma cells (EMT6) were continuously exposed to doxorubicin to generate a Pgp-overexpressing, doxorubicin-resistant cell line (EMT6AR1.0 cells). Both cell lines were subcutaneously injected into female athymic nude mice. One week after implantation, animals underwent PET scans with ¹¹C]tariquidar (n?=?7), ¹¹C]elacridar (n?=?6) and (R)-¹¹C]verapamil (n?=?7), before and after administration of unlabelled tariquidar (15?mg/kg). Pgp expression in tumour grafts was evaluated by Western blotting.

Results

¹¹C]Tariquidar showed significantly higher retention in Pgp-overexpressing EMT6AR1.0 compared with EMT6 tumours: the mean?±?SD areas under the time?Cactivity curves in scan 1 from time 0 to 60?min (AUC_0?C60) were 38.8?±?2.2?min and 25.0?±?5.3?min (p?=?0.016, Wilcoxon matched pairs test). ¹¹C]Elacridar and (R)-¹¹C]verapamil were not able to discriminate Pgp expression in tumour models. Following administration of unlabelled tariquidar, both EMT6Ar1.0 and EMT6 tumours showed increases in uptake of ¹¹C]tariquidar, ¹¹C]elacridar and (R)-¹¹C]verapamil.

Conclusion

Among the tested radiotracers, ¹¹C]tariquidar performed best in discriminating tumours expressing high and low levels of Pgp. Therefore ¹¹C]tariquidar merits further investigation as a PET tracer to assess Pgp expression levels in solid tumours.