(CuCl2)-Cu-64 PET Imaging of 4T1-Related Allograft of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Mice

(CuCl2)-Cu-64 is an economic radiotracer for oncologic PET investigations. In the present study, we characterized the uptake of (CuCl2)-Cu-64 in vivo by mu PET/CT in an allograft 4T1-related mouse model (BALB/c) of advanced breast cancer. F-18-FDG was used as a comparator. Twenty-two animals were imaged 7-9 days following 4T1-cell implantation inside mammary glands. Dynamic (CuCl2)-Cu-64 mu PET/CT acquisition or iterative static images up to 8 h p.i. were performed. Animal biodistribution and tumor uptake were first evaluated in vivo by mu PET analysis and then assessed on tissue specimens. Concerning F-18-FDG mu PET, a static acquisition was performed at 15 min and 60 min p.i. Tumor (CuCl2)-Cu-64 accumulation increased from 5 min to 4 h p.i., reaching a maximum value of 5.0 +/- 0.20 %ID/g. Liver, brain, and muscle (CuCl2)-Cu-64 accumulation was stable over time. The tumor-to-muscle ratio remained stable from 1 to 8 h p.i., ranging from 3.0 to 3.7. Ex vivo data were consistent with in vivo estimations. The F-18-FDG tumor accumulation was 8.82 +/- 1.03 %ID/g, and the tumor-to-muscle ratio was 4.54 +/- 1.11. (CuCl2)-Cu-64 PET/CT provides good characterization of the 4T1-related breast cancer model and allows for exploration of non-glycolytic cellular pathways potentially of interest for theragnostic strategies.