The use of 99mTc-MIBI scanning in multiple myeloma

Tc-99m 2 methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI), also called Sestamibi, is a safe and effective scanning agent in solid tumours. Its use in imaging lesions in multiple myeloma has been studied in 21 patients with either multiple myeloma (19/21) or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (2/ 21). 99mTc-MIBI scanning was positive in 14 patients, 13 with active myeloma and one patient with MGUS showing possible transformation to a more accelerated phase. In seven patients 99mTc-MIBI scanning was negative. In four of them, the result was unexpected, as they had the features of active myeloma. All four were either primarily or secondarily resistant to chemotherapy, with high total cumulative doses of doxorubicin. Overexpression of P-glycoprotein associated with multidrug resistance could be a factor, as it has been shown that 99mTc-MIBI is actively eliminated from the cell by P-glycoprotein. With this assumption, sensitivity of the scanning technique in this series is 100%, and the specificity 88%. No toxicity was experienced by any patient. 99mTc-MIBI scanning is a useful adjunct to the investigation of multiple myeloma, and may have potential as an in vivo test for multidrug resistance.