Imaging and dosimetry of 99mTc EC annexin V: Preliminary clinical study targeting apoptosis in breast tumors

Background Early detection of cellular events is important to predict the outcome of the patients. This study was aimed to use 99mTc EC-annexin V to image tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. Methods In 10 patients with breast cancer, scintigraphic images and dosimetric estimates were obtained after administering 99mTc EC-annexin V. Results Nine of the 10 cases showed detectable 99mTc EC-annexin V uptake in tumor. Higher values of T/N ratios are associated with patient after treatment. Conclusions Apoptosis can be quantified using 99mTc EC-annexin V.