A dual-labeled cRGD-based PET/optical tracer for pre-operative staging and intraoperative treatment of colorectal cancer

cRGD peptides target integrins associated with angiogenesis (e.g., αvβ3) and cancer, and have been used as binding ligands for both positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) optical imaging. This study introduces the hybrid tracer cRGD-ZW800-1-Forte-[89Zr]Zr-DFO, which is based on a novel zwitterionic fluorophore structure that reduces non-specific background uptake during molecular imaging of tumors. An in vitro binding assay was used to validate tracer performance. 10 nmol ZW800F-cRGD-Zr-DFO was injected in mice (n=7) bearing orthotopic human colorectal tumors (HT29-luc2) for tumor detection with NIRF imaging. Subsequently, ZW800F-cRGD-Zr-DFO was loaded with 89Zr and 10 nmol cRGD-ZW800-1-Forte-[89Zr]Zr-DFO (3 MBq) was injected in mice (n=8) for PET/CT imaging. Imaging and biodistribution was performed at 4 and 24 h. NIRF imaging was performed up to 168 h after administration. Sufficient fluorescent signals were measured in the tumors of mice injected with ZW800F-cRGD-Zr-DFO (emission peak ~800 nm) compared to the background. The signal remained stable for up to 7 days. The fluorescence signal of cRGD-ZW800-1-Forte-[89Zr]Zr-DFO remained intact after labeling with 89Zr. PET/CT permitted clear visualization of the colorectal tumors at 4 and 24 h. Biodistribution at 4 h showed the highest uptake of the tracer in kidneys and sufficient uptake in the tumor, remaining stable for up to 24 h. A single molecular imaging agent, ZW800F-cRGD-[89Zr]Zr-DFO, permits serial PET and NIRF imaging of colorectal tumors, with the latter permitting image-guided treatment intraoperatively. Due to its unique zwitterionic structure, the tracer is rapidly renally cleared and fluorescent background signals are low.