Uptake of 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin into malignant versus nonmalignant breast cell lines.

The kinetics and cellular uptake of 99mTc-2-hexakis 2-methoxyiso-butyl-isonitrile (MIBI) and 99mTc-1 ,2-bis[bis(2-ethoxyethyl)phosphino]ethane (tetrofosmin) into malignant versus nonmalignant human breast cell lines were investigated and compared.

Methods: At specific intervals after incubation at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C with 99mTc-MIBI or 99mTc-tetrofosmin, the uptake characteristics of radiotracers into human adenocarcinoma breast cell lines MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 and human breast, nontumor cell line HBL-100 were assessed.

Results: The uptake of 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin was lower at an incubation temperature of 22 degrees C than that at 37 degrees C in the 3 cell lines. In MCF-7 and in SK-BR-3 cells the uptake of 99mTc-MIBI was significantly higher than the uptake of 99mTc-tetrofosmin. The uptake of 99mTc-MIBI was significantly higher into MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells than that into HBL-100 cells. In comparison with HBL-100 cells, uptake of 99mTc-tetrofosmin into SK-BR-3 cells was significantly higher, whereas uptake into MCF-7 cells was similar.

Conclusions: In vitro data suggest that 99mTc-MIBI may be a better tracer than 99mTc-tetrofosmin for discrimination between malignant and nonmalignant breast disease.