CD44v6-Targeted Imaging of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Antibody-Based Approaches.
Diana SpiegelbergJohan NilvebrantPublished in: Contrast media & molecular imaging (2017)
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common and severe cancer with low survival rate in advanced stages. Noninvasive imaging of prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers could provide valuable information for planning and monitoring of the different therapy options. Thus, there is a major interest in development of new tracers towards cancer-specific molecular targets to improve diagnostic imaging and treatment. CD44v6, an oncogenic variant of the cell surface molecule CD44, is a promising molecular target since it exhibits a unique expression pattern in HNSCC and is associated with drug- and radio-resistance. In this review we summarize results from preclinical and clinical investigations of radiolabeled anti-CD44v6 antibody-based tracers: full-length antibodies, Fab, F(ab')2 fragments, and scFvs with particular focus on the engineering of various antibody formats and choice of radiolabel for the use as molecular imaging agents in HNSCC. We conclude that the current evidence points to CD44v6 imaging being a promising approach for providing more specific and sensitive diagnostic tools, leading to customized treatment decisions and functional diagnosis. Improved imaging tools hold promise to enable more effective treatment for head and neck cancer patients.
Keyphrases
- high resolution
- transcription factor
- healthcare
- papillary thyroid
- squamous cell carcinoma
- machine learning
- stem cells
- mesenchymal stem cells
- squamous cell
- single molecule
- young adults
- lymph node metastasis
- photodynamic therapy
- mass spectrometry
- binding protein
- social media
- artificial intelligence
- cell therapy
- replacement therapy
- cancer therapy
- drug induced
- electronic health record