Genetically modified natural killer (NK) cells that recognize
tumor-associated
surface antigens have recently shown promise as a novel approach for
cancer immunotherapy. To determine NK cell
therapy response early, a real-time, noninvasive method to quantify NK cell homing to the
tumor is desirable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if MR imaging could provide a noninvasive, in vivo diagnosis of NK cell accumulation in
epithelial cell adhesion molecule (
EpCAM)-positive
prostate cancers in a rat xenograft model. Genetically engineered NK-92-scFv(MOC31)-ζ cells, which express a
chimeric antigen receptor specific to the
tumor-associated
EpCAM antigen, and nontargeted NK-92 cells were labeled with superparamagnetic particles of
iron-
oxides (
SPIO)
ferumoxides. Twelve athymic rats with implanted
EpCAM positive DU145
prostate cancers received
intravenous injections of 1.5×10(7)
SPIO labeled NK-92 and NK-92-scFv(MOC31)-ζ cells.
EpCAM-positive
prostate cancers demonstrated a progressive and a significant decline in contrast-to-noise-ratio data at 1 and 24 h after injection of
SPIO-labeled NK-92-scFv(MOC31)-ζ cells. Conversely,
tumor contrast-to-noise-ratio data did not change significantly after injection of
SPIO-labeled parental NK-92 cells. Histopathology confirmed an accumulation of the genetically engineered NK-92-scFv(MOC31)-ζ cells in
prostate cancers. Thus, the presence or absence of a
tumor accumulation of therapeutic NK cells can be monitored with cellular MR imaging.
EpCAM-directed,
SPIO labeled NK-92-scFv(MOC31)-ζ cells accumulate in
EpCAM-positive
prostate cancers.