Distribution of 99Tcm-rh-Annexin V and its relationship with expression of survivin, Caspase-3 in tumor early after radiotherapy

The early expression of Survivin and Caspase-3 in tumor cells after radiotherapy with 99Tcm-rh-annexin V as the tracer of apoptosis imaging was studied. Tumor cell apoptosis was examined by TUNEL methods, and the expressions of Survivin and Caspase-3 in tumor cells was determined with immunohistochemical methods. Radiotherapy significantly increased the tumor uptake of 99Tcm-rh-annexin V and the positive number of TUNEL, as well as the expression of Caspase-3 (P<0.010). The expression of Survivin was significantly high in contrast group than in treated group (P<0.010). The distribution in tumor correlated well with the positive number of TUNEL in contrast group and treated group (r =0.942, P=0.000). The expression of Survivin correlated negatively with the expression of Caspase-3 the two group (r=-0.836, P=0.000). The accumulation of 99Tcm-rh-annexin V in tumor correlated positively with the expression of Caspase-3 (r=0.948, P=0. 000), and correlated negatively with the expression of Survivin (r=-0.819, P=0.000). The distribution of 99Tcm-rh-annexin V can not only truly reflected the degree of apoptosis in tumor, but also the change of survivin and caspase-3 expression early after radiotherapy. (authors)