A Murine Model for Quantitative, Real-Time Evaluation of Convection-Enhanced Delivery (RT-CED) Using an [F]-Positron Emitting, Fluorescent Derivative of Dasatinib.

The blood brain barrier can limit the efficacy of systemically delivered drugs in treating neurological malignancies; therefore, alternate routes of drug administration must be considered. The Abl-kinase inhibitor, dasatinib, is modified to give compound ([F]-) so that F-positron emission tomography (PET) and fluorescent imaging can both be used to observe drug delivery to murine orthotopic glioma. Western blotting, binding studies (IC = 22 ± 5 nmol/L), and cell viability assays (IC = 46 ± 30 nmol/L) confirm nanomolar, effectiveness of [F]-, a dasatinib derivative that is visible by F-PET and fluorescence. [F]- is used to image dynamic direct drug delivery via two different drug delivery techniques to orthotopic murine brainstem glioma (mBSG) bearing mice. Convection enhanced delivery (CED) delivers higher concentrations of drug to glioma-containing volumes versus systemic, tail-vein delivery. Accurate delivery and clearance data pertaining to dasatinib are observed, providing personalized information that is important in dosimetry and redosing. Cases of missed drug delivery are immediately recognized by PET/CT, allowing for prompt intervention in the case of missed delivery. .