Brain tumors: L-[1-C-11]tyrosine PET for visualization and quantification of protein synthesis rate.
OBJECTIVE
Positron emission tomography (PET) with the amino acid tracer L-[1-C-11]-tyrosine was evaluated in 27 patients with primary and recurrent brain tumors.


METHODS
Patients underwent either static (n = 14) or dynamic PET (n = 13), with quantification of protein synthesis rate (PSR) and tumor-to-background ratio. Findings were compared with histologic findings.


RESULTS
Primary brain tumor was proved in 22 patients histologically, as well as metastatic cancer of unknown origin, primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma, meningioma, atypical infarction, and vasculitis in one patient each. At PET, 20 of 22 primary tumors, the metastasis, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were correctly depicted. A false-positive finding was obtained with the infarction, and the meningioma and vasculitis were not depicted. The calculated sensitivity was 92%; specificity, 67%; and accuracy, 89%. There were no statistically significant relationships between histologic findings, PSR, and tumor-to-background ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
L-[1-C-11]-tyrosine is a valid tracer for diagnosis of brain tumors and allowed quantification of PSR.
Pruim
J
J
National Research Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Willemsen
A T
AT
Molenaar
W M
WM
van Waarde
A
A
Paans
A M
AM
Heesters
M A
MA
Go
K G
KG
Visser
G M
GM
Franssen
E J
EJ
Vaalburg
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014443:Tyrosine; D008715:Methionine