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Song Y, Qin C, Chen Y, Ruan W, Gai Y, Song W, Gao Y, Hu W, Qiao P, Song X, Lv X, Zheng D, Chu H, Jiang D, Yang L, Lan X. Non-invasive visualization of liver fibrosis with [ 68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET from preclinical insights to clinical translation. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:3572-3584. [PMID: 38850311 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The reversibility of early liver fibrosis highlights the need for improved early detection and monitoring techniques. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a promising theranostics target significantly upregulated during fibrosis. This preclinical and preliminary clinical study investigated a FAP-targeted probe, gallium-68-labeled FAP inhibitor 04 ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04), for its capability to visualize liver fibrosis. METHODS The preclinical study employed [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 micro-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) on carbon tetrachloride-induced mice model (n = 34) and olive oil-treated control group (n = 26), followed by validation of the probe's biodistribution. Hepatic uptake was correlated with fibrosis and inflammation levels, quantified through histology and serum assays. FAP and α-smooth muscle actin expression were determined by immunohistochemistry, as well as immunofluorescence. The subsequent clinical trial enrolled 26 patients with suspected or confirmed liver fibrosis to undergo [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/magnetic resonance imaging or PET/CT. Key endpoints included correlating [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 uptake with histological inflammation grades and fibrosis stages, and evaluating its diagnostic and differential efficacy compared to established serum markers and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). RESULTS [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 mean uptake in mice livers was notably higher than in control mice, increasing from week 6 [0.70 ± 0.11 percentage injected dose per cubic centimeter (%ID/cc)], peaking at week 10 (0.97 ± 0.15%ID/cc) and slightly reducing at week 12 (0.89 ± 0.28%ID/cc). The hepatic biodistribution and FAP expression showed a consistent trend. In the patient cohort, hepatic [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 uptake presented moderate correlations with inflammation grades (r = 0.517 to 0.584, all P < 0.05) and fibrosis stages (r = 0.653 to 0.698, all P < 0.01). The average SUVmax to background ratio in the liver showed superior discriminative ability, especially between stage 0 and stage 1, outperforming LSM (area under curve 0.984 vs. 0.865). CONCLUSION [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET shows significant potential for non-invasive visualization and dynamic monitoring of liver fibrosis in both preclinical experiment and preliminary clinical trial, especially outperforming other common clinical indicators in the early stage. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04605939. Registered October 25, 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04605939.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmeihui Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chunxia Qin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Therapy, Ministry of Education, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yixiong Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Weiwei Ruan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Therapy, Ministry of Education, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yongkang Gai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Therapy, Ministry of Education, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenyu Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenzhu Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Pengxin Qiao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiangming Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoying Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Danzha Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Huikuan Chu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Therapy, Ministry of Education, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Therapy, Ministry of Education, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
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Hunter C, Larimer B. Chemokine receptor PET imaging: Bridging molecular insights with clinical applications. Nucl Med Biol 2024; 134-135:108912. [PMID: 38691942 PMCID: PMC11180593 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2024.108912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are important components of cellular signaling and play a critical role in directing leukocytes during inflammatory reactions. Their importance extends to numerous pathological processes, including tumor differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and associations with multiple inflammatory disorders. The necessity to monitor the in vivo interactions of cellular chemokine receptors has been driven the recent development of novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents. This imaging modality provides non-invasive localization and quantitation of these receptors that cannot be provided through blood or tissue-based assays. Herein, we provide a review of PET imaging of the chemokine receptors that have been imaged to date, namely CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2, CCR5, and CMKLR1. The quantification of these receptors can aid in understanding various diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The development of specific radiotracers targeting these receptors will be discussed, including promising results for disease diagnosis and management. However, challenges persist in fully translating these imaging advancements into practical therapeutic applications. Given the success of CXCR4 PET imaging to date, future research should focus on clinical translation of these approaches to understand their role in the management of a wide variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanelle Hunter
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences Cancer Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Benjamin Larimer
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Chen S, Zhuang D, Jia Q, Guo B, Hu G. Advances in Noninvasive Molecular Imaging Probes for Liver Fibrosis Diagnosis. Biomater Res 2024; 28:0042. [PMID: 38952717 PMCID: PMC11214848 DOI: 10.34133/bmr.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury, which may lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Early-stage fibrosis is reversible, and it is difficult to precisely diagnose with conventional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and ultrasound imaging. In contrast, probe-assisted molecular imaging offers a promising noninvasive approach to visualize early fibrosis changes in vivo, thus facilitating early diagnosis and staging liver fibrosis, and even monitoring of the treatment response. Here, the most recent progress in molecular imaging technologies for liver fibrosis is updated. We start by illustrating pathogenesis for liver fibrosis, which includes capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, cellular and molecular processes involved in inflammation and fibrogenesis, as well as processes of collagen synthesis, oxidation, and cross-linking. Furthermore, the biological targets used in molecular imaging of liver fibrosis are summarized, which are composed of receptors on hepatic stellate cells, macrophages, and even liver collagen. Notably, the focus is on insights into the advances in imaging modalities developed for liver fibrosis diagnosis and the update in the corresponding contrast agents. In addition, challenges and opportunities for future research and clinical translation of the molecular imaging modalities and the contrast agents are pointed out. We hope that this review would serve as a guide for scientists and students who are interested in liver fibrosis imaging and treatment, and as well expedite the translation of molecular imaging technologies from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofang Chen
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Danping Zhuang
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingyun Jia
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Guo
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Carbon Materials Research and Comprehensive Application,
Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Genwen Hu
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
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Zhang XL, Xiao W, Qian JP, Yang WJ, Xu H, Xu XD, Zhang GW. The Role and Application of Fibroblast Activating Protein. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:1097-1110. [PMID: 37259211 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230530095305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP), a type-II transmembrane serine protease, is rarely expressed in normal tissues but highly abundant in pathological diseases, including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Ever since its discovery, we have deciphered its structure and biological properties and continue to investigate its roles in various diseases while attempting to utilize it for targeted therapy. To date, no significant breakthroughs have been made in terms of efficacy. However, in recent years, several practical applications in the realm of imaging diagnosis have been discovered. Given its unique expression in a diverse array of pathological tissues, the fundamental biological characteristics of FAP render it a crucial target for disease diagnosis and immunotherapy. To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the research progress of FAP, its biological characteristics, involvement in diseases, and recent targeted application research have been reviewed. Moreover, we explored its development trend in the direction of clinical diagnoses and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lou Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Xiao
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ping Qian
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jun Yang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-da Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Wei Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Chen S, Zhu JY, Zang X, Zhai YZ. The Emerging Role of Ferroptosis in Liver Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:801365. [PMID: 34970553 PMCID: PMC8713249 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.801365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a newly discovered type of cell death mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxide. The disturbance of iron metabolism, imbalance of the amino acid antioxidant system, and lipid peroxide accumulation are considered distinct fingerprints of ferroptosis. The dysregulation of ferroptosis has been intensively studied in recent years due to its participation in various diseases, including cancer, kidney injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. Notably, increasing evidence indicates that ferroptosis plays different roles in a wide spectrum of liver diseases. On the one hand, inhibiting ferroptosis may counteract the pathophysiological progression of several liver diseases, such as alcoholic liver injury, nonalcoholic steatosis hepatitis and fibrosis. On the other hand, inducing ferroptosis may restrict the emergence of secondary resistance to current medicines, such as sorafenib, for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. Here, we summarize the biological characteristics and regulatory signalling pathways of ferroptosis involved in liver disease. The current available medical agents targeting ferroptosis, including inducers or inhibitors applied in liver diseases, are also reviewed. This work aims to provide new insight into the emerging role of pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jun-Yao Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xin Zang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong-Zhen Zhai
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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