Clinical Image
Imaging of Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR)
Karen A. Kurdziel*
Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
*Corresponding author: Karen A. Kurdziel, Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
Published: 05 Sep, 2017
Cite this article as: Kurdziel KA. Imaging of Multi-Drug
Resistance (MDR). Clin Oncol. 2017;
2: 1332.
Clinical Image
The figure provided shows PET/CT imaging of 18F-fluoropaclitaxel [1-3] a paclitaxel (Taxol™) analog and experimental (not-FDA approved) imaging agent. Its uptake represents the biodistribution of this commonly used chemotherapeutic and, as a substrate for P-glycoprotein (Pgp), it indirectly images PgP expression and function. Pgp-mediated Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) is a common category of drug resistance. Paclitaxel inhibits mitosis by binding to tubulin preventing its polymerization into microtubules needed for cell growth. If a tumor shows uptake of 18F-fluoropaclitaxel, it would suggest that the tumor will respond to paclitaxel while lack of uptake (like in the majority of the tumor in this case) indicates the likelihood of Pgp-mediated multi-drug resistance, requiring treatment to include a Pgp inhibitor or use of an alternative drug.
Figure 1
Acknowledgement
This research was supported [in part] by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NCI, CCR.
References
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