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Lymphoseek: a molecular imaging agent for melanoma sentinel lymph node mapping
Anne M Wallace1, Carl K Hoh, Scott J Ellner
1Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, California 92103, USA. amwallace@ucsd.edu
Annals of Surgical Oncology
|December 6, 2006
Summary
Lymphoseek, a molecular imaging agent, showed faster clearance from the injection site compared to filtered technetium-99m sulfur colloid (fTcSC) in melanoma patients. Both agents demonstrated equivalent sentinel lymph node uptake in this phase I trial.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Oncology
- Radiopharmacology
Background:
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy is crucial for melanoma staging.
- Current imaging agents have limitations in clearance and detection.
- Lymphoseek is a novel molecular imaging agent developed for sentinel lymph node mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the safety and efficacy of Lymphoseek against filtered technetium-99m sulfur colloid (fTcSC) for sentinel lymph node detection in melanoma patients.
- To evaluate injection site clearance, lymph node uptake, and safety profiles of Lymphoseek.
Main Methods:
- A phase I clinical trial involving 24 melanoma patients.
- Intradermal administration of varying doses of (99m)Tc-labeled Lymphoseek or fTcSC.
- Monitoring of injection site clearance, lymph node radioactivity, clinical chemistry, and whole-body radiation exposure.
Main Results:
- Lymphoseek demonstrated significantly faster injection site clearance (mean half-time 2.17 hours) compared to fTcSC (14.7 hours).
- Sentinel lymph node uptake was statistically equivalent between Lymphoseek and fTcSC.
- No adverse events or significant laboratory alterations were observed with Lymphoseek, and radiation absorbed doses were lower.
Conclusions:
- Lymphoseek is a safe and effective molecular imaging agent for sentinel lymph node mapping in melanoma.
- Its faster clearance and equivalent uptake offer a potential advantage over fTcSC.
- Further investigation in larger trials is warranted.
