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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
Non-Invasive PET/MR Imaging in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: August 31, 2022
Integrin α6-Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice
Yun Zhang1, Jing Zhao2, Jing Cai2
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Proteomics, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, No.1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
Purpose:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a high spatial resolution for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Integrin α6 has emerged as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of HCC. Here, we developed the MR contrast agent RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 based on the integrin α6-targeted RWY peptide that we previously identified to detect HCC.
Procedures:
Contrast-enhanced MRI was carried out to evaluate the use of RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 to detect HCC lesions in subcutaneous and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mouse models.
Results:
Enhancement MR signals were observed in HCC-LM3 subcutaneous liver tumors in the first 5 min post-injection of RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 at a low dose of 0.03 mmol Gd/kg. Moreover, RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 generated superior contrast enhancement for liver tumors in chemical-induced HCC mice. Importantly, RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 provided complementary enhancement MR signals to the clinical available hepatobiliary MR contrast agent gadoxetate disodium Gd-EOB-DTPA. Additionally, RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 showed minimal gadolinium retention in normal tissues and organs at 48 h post-injection.
Conclusion:
These findings potentiate the use of RWY-dL-(Gd-DOTA)4 for the MRI of HCC to improve the diagnosis of HCC.
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