Imaging of estrogen receptors in primary and metastatic breast cancer patients with iodine-123-labeled Z-MIVE

PURPOSETo evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive imaging of estrogen receptors (ERs) in primary and metastatic breast cancer with the iodine-123-labeled ER-specific ligand cis-11beta-methoxy-17alpha-iodovinylestradiol-17beta (Z-[123I]MIVE) using conventional nuclear medicine techniques.PATIENTS AND METHODSZ-[123I]MIVE planar scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed in 12 patients with proven primary breast cancer and 13 patients with proven or from other imaging modalities evident bone, liver, lung, pleura and/or lymph node metastases. The results were compared with those of ER immunohistochemistry (IHC). Blocking studies with the antiestrogen tamoxifen were performed to test whether Z-[123I]MIVE tumor uptake was ER-mediated.RESULTSPlanar imaging showed uptake in 11 of 12 primary carcinomas. ER IHC performed for nine of these was positive. For the planar scintigraphy-negative patient, SPECT was faintly positive, but ER IHC negative (agreement, 90%). In nine of 13...