Molecular Imaging of Fulvestrant Effects on Availability of ER Binding Sites

The estrogen receptor (ER) is expressed in approximately 70% of the breast carcinomas. In these patients signaling via the ER induces proliferation and cell survival of malignant cells. Fulvestrant can inhibit this signaling route by blocking the receptor and decreasing ER-expression by increasing its turn-over rate. The historical standard dose of fulvestrant was 250mg every 28 days i.m.; however studies performing serial biopsies showed that ER-downregulation was suboptimal. Recently the standard dose has been set to 500mg i.m. on day 1; 14; 28 and every 28 days thereafter. Although slightly more effective than the 250mg dose, still questions remain with respect to the required dose to establish maximal downregulation of ER-signaling. Immunohistochemistry only provides static information, i.e. the level of ER-expression. However, dynamic information evaluating the effects of fulvestrant on occupancy of ERs, may also be valuable. Whole-body imaging of the availability of ER binding sites using FES-PET may prove valuable to evaluate the effects of fulvestrant on the ER non-invasively in individual patients. This potentially allows adjustment of dosing in individual patients to aid therapy efficacy. In this pilot-study we will evaluate 15 metastatic breast cancer patients. All patients will undergo FES-PET/CT at baseline, FES-PET after 1 month, and FES-PET/CT after three months. Hormone- and fulvestrant levels will be measured in all patients. Whenever possible, tumor biopsies will be performed to correlate to FES-PET results.