Development of CAIX and CAXII targeting imaging probes for non-invasive detection of metastatic breast cancer in axillary lymph nodes

摘要: Axillary lymph node (ALN) status is the most important prognostic factor for staging breast cancer. ALNs are routinely excised for evaluation which is an invasive procedure associated with serious morbidities. The current study aims to develop a targeting platform for the non-invasive detection of metastatic breast cancer in lymph nodes. If successful, such an approach would decrease unnecessary surgery and significantly reduce associated morbidity. Two cell surface carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CAIX and/or CAXII) were identified by comparison of the gene expression profiles of lesions from breast cancer patients and benign breast tissue and confirmed with public databases and literature. Protein expression was validated by immunohistochemistry of patient tissue samples in tissue microarray. Together, these two markers detect 100% of the metastatic breast cancer to lymph nodes surveyed (n = 37 …