Quantification method for remaining liver function and novel liver receptor imaging agent

• US 8,435,491 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Institute Of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council Executive Yuan
• Original Assignee: Institute Of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council Executive Yuan
• Inventors: Wang, Mei-Hui, Lin, Wuu-Jyh, Chien, Chuan-Yi, Yu, Hung-Man, Lee, Reiko Takasaka, Lee, Yuan-Chuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Robert T
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DOAN THI-THUC
• Application Number:
  US12/779,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20110097265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 424/1.69
• US Class Current: 424/1.69
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/0491 Sugars, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, e.g. DNA, RNA, nucleic acid aptamers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/0497 conjugates with a carrier being an organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C07H 15/04 attached to an oxygen atom of the saccharide radical

Abstract

A test indicator for quantifying remaining liver function is provided. A novel liver receptor imaging agent with liver targeting property is utilized to develop a method for quantifying remaining liver function to serve as test indicator for judging the liver failure outcome in clinic, particularly for judging the necessity of liver transplantation for patients with liver failure or liver disease. The radioactivity uptake of the test indicator was negatively correlated with the extent of liver reserve. The cutoff value of liver reserve for liver transplantation is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A quantification method for remaining liver function on mice, using in vivo molecular imaging with SPECT/CT, comprising:

(a) intravenously injecting a radiation dose of 200 nCi/g of a liver receptor imaging agent ln-111 Hexa-Lactoside;

(b) measuring the radioactivity per square unit of liver with a SPECT medical imaging instrument at a specific fixed time;

(c) taking the radioactivity absorbed by liver in a normal group as 100% of remaining liver function; and

(d) determining the relative remaining liver function by comparing the radioactivity absorbed by liver in each disease group with that in the normal group.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining liver function is lower than 25%, a liver transplantation is necessary.