Visualizing inflammation activity in rheumatoid arthritis with Tc-99 m Anti-CD4-mAb fragment scintigraphy

• Published in: Nuclear medicine and biology 2014-04, Vol.41 (4), p.350-354
• Main Authors: Steinhoff, K, Pierer, M, Siegert, J, Pigla, U, Laub, R, Hesse, S, Seidel, W, Sorger, D, Seese, A, Kuenstler, J.U, Pietzsch, H.J, Lincke, T, Rullmann, M, Emmrich, F, Sabri, O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Antibodies, Monoclonal - pharmacokinetics; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnostic imaging; CD4; CD4 Antigens - immunology; Female; Humans; Inflammation - diagnostic imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular imaging; Monoclonal antibodies; Radiology; Radionuclide Imaging; Rheumatoid arthritis; Safety; Technetium; Technetium-99 m scintigraphy
• ISSN: 0969-8051; 1872-9614
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2013.12.018

Abstract Purpose T-cell-located CD4 antigen represents one of the therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, up to now there is no established imaging tool to visualize this target in vivo. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and tolerability of a technetium-99 m labelled murine anti-human CD4 IgG1-Fab fragment ([99m Tc]-anti-CD4-Fab, [99m Tc]-EP1645) in patients with active synovitis due to RA, and to evaluate its potential as a marker of disease activity. Methods In the present phase I proof of principle study five patients with RA were examined. Planar scans of the whole body, hands, and feet were taken 30 min up to 24 h after application of 550 ± 150 MBq [99m Tc]-anti-CD4-Fab, followed by visual analyses, comparison with clinical data in 68 joints per patient and semiquantitative analysis of hand and wrist joints. Results Neither infusion related adverse events nor adverse events during follow up were observed. No increase in human anti-murine antibody titres was seen. All patients had positive scans in almost 70% of clinically affected joints. Positive scans were also found in 8% of joints without evidence of swelling or tenderness. Conclusion Scintigraphy with [99m Tc]-anti-CD4-Fab is a promising technique for evaluation of inflammatory activity in patients with RA, pre-therapeutical evaluation of CD4 status and therapy control. Tracer uptake in clinically inconspicuous joints strongly indicates diagnostic potential of [99m Tc]-anti-CD4-Fab. Whether this technique is eligible as a prognostic factor in RA needs to be analysed in further studies as well as the pathophysiological background of clinically affected joints lacking tracer uptake.