Abstract: (99)mTC-sestamibi imaging can represent a remarkable opportunity to detect both primary and metastatic lesions characterized by the presence of cancer cells with high amounts of mitochondria. In fact, the current data about the chemical-physical characteristics of sestamibi, as well as its pharmacokinetics, seem to indicate its tropism for the accumulation in the cell organelles with a negative membrane potential, such as mitochondria. In support of this, it is known that once in the cytoplasm, sestamibi may translocate into the mitochondria according to its cationic nature. The positive charge on sestamibi may drive this molecule into the mitochondria during cell metabolic activities that increase the negative plasma membrane potential. Despite this evidence, few studies have been performed about the possible effect of sestamibi uptake in breast cancer cells. The accumulation of sestamibi in the cell allows it to hypothesize the alteration of normal mitochondria functions and consequently of the cancer cell’s homeostasis, mainly at the level of cell proliferation and cell death. Our data strengthened the known association between sestamibi uptake and Ki67 expression, thus confirming the capability of (99)mTC-sestamibi to identify cancer lesions characterized by high proliferation index. Surprisingly, we also demonstrated a significant association between the sestamibi uptake and the apoptosis in breast cancer. Specifically, both ex vivo and in vitro data showed an increase of sestamibi in breast cancer cells characterized by high caspase3 expression. In conclusion the capability of sestamibi to early detect of cancer lesions with the propensity to form bone metastasis and even to induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells can lay the scientific rationale for considering this molecule as a theragnostic agent.

Keywords: (99)mTC-sestamibi, molecular imaging, cancer, metastasis, theragnostic

Biography: Dr. Scimeca Manuel, Biologist. Adjunct Professor at University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (MED/08), at “San Raffaele” University and “at Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences” (MED/08). Coordinator of both Molecular Imaging and Pathology laboratory, (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”) and Histo-pathology laboratory research (OrchideaLab). Cytoscreener at OrchideaLab s.r.l., Rome, Italy. Member of the board of the Doctoral Course "BIOCHIMICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY". Post-doctoral position at University of Rome Tor Vergata for the project “Management of oncological patients”. Participation to the European group of breast pathology studies. Dr. Scimeca has experience in the study of histological and ultrastructural characteristics of solid tumor, mainly breast and prostate cancer. Recently, Dr. Manuel Scimeca described for the first time a new cancer cell type associated to both microcalcification production and bone metastasis formation, the Osteoblast-like Cells. Also, he has currently employed all basic and advanced techniques of the histological area such as optical and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, design and construction of Tissue Micro arrays (TMA), laser microdissection and capture. In addition, Dr. Scimeca is familiar with cell cultures and molecular imaging techniques.

Dr. Scimeca published more than ninety scientific papers in international journals and 1 chapter in book. Papers: 91; H-index: 20; more of 1166 citations (Scopus).

In addition, Dr. Scimeca has held over 30 invited lectures in national and international congresses and/or institutes.