The mechanism of 67Ga localization in malignant disease.
After almost two decades of research, evidence suggests that transferrin receptors are rate-limiting in 67Ga uptake, 67Ga imaging is an in vivo detector of transferring receptors and an indicator of tumor cell proliferation. Moreover, 67Ga can be incorporated into tumor cells by a transferrin receptor-independent process. This pathway could be important in patients with saturated transferrin. Data that appear to support the concept that transferrin receptor-independent transporters are rate-limiting can be resolved by considering the presence of the gallate ion, [67Ga (OH)4]-.
Weiner
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Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030, USA. Weiner@ADP.UCHC.EDU
D000818:Animals; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin