Visualisation of neuroblastoma growth in a Scid mouse model using [18F]FDG and [18F]FLT-PET.
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.
Krieger-Hinck
Nina
N
Department of Anatomy II: Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Gustke
Heike
H
Valentiner
Ursula
U
Mikecz
Pal
P
Buchert
Ralph
R
Mester
Janos
J
Schumacher
Udo
U
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
D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18