3-deoxy-3-[(18)F]fluorothymidine-positron emission tomography for noninvasive assessment of proliferation in pulmonary nodules.
We investigated whether uptake of the thymidine analogue 3-deoxy-3-[(18)F]fluorothymidine ([(18)F]FLT) reflects proliferation in solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Thirty patients with SPNs were prospectively examined with positron emission tomography. Standardized uptake values were calculated for quantification of FLT uptake. Histopathology revealed 22 malignant and 8 benign lesions. Proliferation was evaluated by Ki-67 immunostaining and showed a mean proliferation fraction of 30.9% (range, 1-65%) in malignant SPNs and <5% in benign lesions. Linear regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between FLT-standardized uptake values and proliferative activity (P < 0.0001; r = 0.87). FLT uptake was specific for malignant lesions and may be used for differential diagnosis of SPNs, assessment of proliferation, and estimation of prognosis.
Buck
Andreas K
AK
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Universit of Ulm, Germany. andreas.buck@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Schirrmeister
Holger
H
Hetzel
Martin
M
Von Der Heide
Mareike
M
Halter
Gisela
G
Glatting
Gerhard
G
Mattfeldt
Torsten
T
Liewald
Florian
F
Reske
Sven N
SN
Neumaier
Bernd
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods
D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C002854:alovudine