Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound- Targeted Imaging.

摘要

Due to the lack of an early detection test, most cases of OVCA are detected at late stages when the 5-year survival rate is < 10% Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) imaging, the currently favored method, it cannot detect OVCA at early stage due to its limited resolution. Tumor related malignant nuclear transformation occurs early in tumor development and leads to the release of Nuclear Matrix Proteins (NMP) into the circulation. Tumor associated neoangiogenesis (TAN) follows malignant nuclear transformation.av(beta)3-integrins and death receptor (DR) 6 are two markers of ovarian TAN expressed by neoangiogenic microvessels. DR6 is also secreted in serum. If the detection limit of TVUS imaging can be enhanced, av(beta)3-integrins-expressing microvessels can be an in vivo imaging marker of ovarian TAN and may be used together with serum anti-NMP vessels at early stage by av(beta)3-integrins- targeted contrast enhancement ultrasound (CD-US) molecular imaging. Overall results of the study suggest that CE-US molecular imaging targeting ovarian av(beta)3-integrins-expressing microvessels enhanced the ability of TVUS to detect ovarian tumors and ovarian TAN at early stage in laying hen model of spontaneous OVCA. Changes in OVCA related CE-US imaging indices were associated with the elevation of serum DR6 levels. Serum prevalence of anti-NMP antibodies was associated with malignant nuclear transformation and can be detected from serum even before the tumors become detectable through targeted contrast enhanced TVUS imaging.