O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (18F-FET) uptake in mouse thymoma cells, and its biodistribution in mice and human volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine (18F-FET) uptake in mouse malignant thymoma (EL4), and its biodistribution in mice and humans.


METHODS
First, 18F-FET uptake in EL4 cells was examined in an in vitro study. Second, the kinetics of 18F-FET uptake and its biodistribution were examined in mice after subcutaneous injection of EL4 cells and complete Freund's adjuvant. Finally, the kinetics of 18F-FET uptake and its biodistribution in healthy human volunteers were examined.


RESULTS
In an in vitro study, 18F-FET was extensively incorporated in EL4 cells. In an animal study, 18F-FET accumulation in normal organs peaked within 30 min postinjection. The mean ratios of 18F-FET uptake in tumors and in inflammatory lesions to that in muscle tissue at 60 min postadministration were 2.18 (range 2.00-2.29) and 1.04 (range 0.95-1.14), respectively. In a human study, static images were taken 60 min after 18F-FET administration. Mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the liver (1.52, range 1.38-1.71) and kidneys (1.90, range 1.74-2.24) were nearly equal or slightly higher than that of muscle tissue (1.19, range 0.99-1.33).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that 18F-FET accumulation in thymoma is significantly higher than in normal organs. 18F-FET could be a useful tracer for tumor imaging.
Abe
K
K
Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. k-abe@radiol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Hayashi
K
K
Sasaki
M
M
Koga
H
H
Kaneko
K
K
Sawamoto
H
H
Himuro
K
K
Honda
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013945:Thymoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; C117289:O-(2-fluoroethyl)tyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine