Advances in molecular imaging have led to the development of newer tracers like 18F-TFB (18F-tetrafluoroborate) that are transported through the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) as well as 68 Ga-DOTATATE that image the somatostatin receptors sub-type 2 expressed in medullary thyroid cancer and some DTC.
Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) mediates active I(-) transport into the thyroid follicular cells, and radionuclide treatment is a promising therapy for MTC.
After Ad5-CEA-NIS-mediated NIS gene transfer in TT cell xenografts administration of a therapeutic dose of 111 MBq (3 mCi) of (131)I resulted in a significant reduction of tumor growth associated with significantly lower calcitonin serum levels in treated mice as well as improved survival.
A novel therapeutic strategy for medullary thyroid cancer based on radioiodine therapy following tissue-specific sodium iodide symporter gene expression.