123I-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-165 (123I-VEGF165) Scintigraphyfor Visualisation of Extranodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma of theMucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Type

Aim: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor are over-expressed in lymphomagenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 123 I-VEGF165 scintigraphy for imaging of B-cell lymphoma of the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid TissueMALT lymphoma). Methods: Three Patients (age range: 52-71 years) with histopathological verified MALT lymphoma were included in the study. Two patients had disseminated MALT-lymphoma and one patient had parotid MALT-lymphoma with involvement of cervical lymph nodes. Recombinant VEGF165 was radiolabeled with 123 I by electrophilic radioiodination using the chloramine T method. Each patient received 172 MBq (<130 pmole (< 5 � g) VEGF165 per patient) of 123 I-VEGF165. Dynamic acquisition was initiated immediately after administration and carried out until 30 minutes post injection. Whole-body images were acquired in anterior and posterior views at various times points post injection (p.i.). SPECT was performed 1 hour p.i. Results: None of the patients with MALT lymphoma showed pathologically increased focal 123 I-VEGF uptake in verified tumor lesions. No clinical adverse reaction and no side-effects after intravenous application of 123 I-VEGF165 were found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that 123 I-VEGF165 scintigraphy does not visualize B-cell lymphomas of MALT type.