Use of 111In–L–LDL radiotracers to detect human pancreatic and mice melanoma tumors

The present study was designed to evaluate the potential of labeled low‐density lipoprotein with ¹¹¹In using a lipid chelating agent (bis(stearylamide) of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid: L) to detect pancreatic tumors and melanoma in mice by gamma‐scintigraphy. We compare the biodistribution of radioactivity and scintigraphic images in nude mice heterotransplanted with human cancerous pancreatic duct cells (Capan‐1) and in mice transplanted with murine tumor cells (B16 melanoma). Biodistribution studies showed that radioactivity was twice as high in the Capan‐1 xenograft after injection of the radiolabel than after injection of radiometal alone, and 34‐fold higher in the B16 tumor. On gamma‐scintigraphic imaging, the Capan‐1 tumor was just visible, whereas the B16 melanoma was clearly imaged. The lack of contrast of the Capan‐1 tumor compared with the B16 melanoma could be due to a poor vascularization. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.