Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer by Tumor Epithelium-Targeted Molecular Ultrasound.

摘要

The high rate of death of ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients can be prevented if it is detected at early stage. Unfortunately, currently available traditional transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) imaging together with serum CA-125 levels cannot detect OVCA at early stage. Malignant nuclear transformations followed by the establishment of tumor associated neoangiogenesis are the early events in tumor development. Ovulation is an inflammatory process which exposes ovarian surface and fimbrial epithelium to inflammatory factors including interleukin 16 (IL-16). Inflammation of the ovary and tubal epithelium due to frequent ovulation leads to the development of oxidative stress and longstanding unresolved oxidative stress causes malignant transformation. Expression of IL-16 by the tumor epithelium and its serum levels has been reported to be increased during OVCA development. Thus IL-16 represents a potential marker of early OVCA which can be detected in vivo by ultrasound imaging provided an IL-16-targeted molecular imaging agent can be developed. The goal of this study is to develop and test the efficacy of molecular (IL-16)-targeted ultrasound (MT-U/S) imaging probe for the detection of early OVCA. This goal is being accomplished by two specific aims. Visualization of ovarian tumors in hens by TVUS improved significantly by IL-16-targeted imaging probes (Aim 1). Results obtained so far under Aim-2(Year-2 of the project life) suggest that IL-16-targeted TVUS imaging improved the detection of OVCA at early stage. Monitoring of hens continues to determine the predictability of IL-16-targeted imaging agents for early detection of OVCA.