title: Visualisation of neuroblastoma growth in a Scid mouse model using [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT-PET.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumor therapy has been monitored using the metabolic indicator [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG). However, the nucleotide precursor [18F]fluoro-thymidine ([18F]FLT) is in principle more specific as it is incorporated into DNA. Thus, the [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT uptake by human neuroblastomas grown in Scid mice are compared in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scid mice were inoculated with human neuroblastoma cells. Tumor imaging was performed with a human whole-body full-ring PET scanner. Furthermore, the tumor weight and the cell proliferation rate were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neuroblastomas could be visualised using [18F]FDG in 40% and with [18F]FLT in 70% of the cases. [18F]FDG or [18F]FLT uptake could not be visualised in neuroblastomas less than 1.0 g in weight. No correlation between the cell proliferation rate and tracer uptake could be detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  [18F]FLT showed a higher uptake than [18F]FDG and, therefore, might be more suitable for monitoring anticancer therapy, at least in this tumor model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy II: Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krieger-Hinck
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gustke
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Valentiner
authors.forename: Pal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mikecz
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buchert
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mester
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schumacher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015996:Survival Rate; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
chemical_list: D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18