title: Early metabolic responses in temozolomide treated low-grade glioma patients.
abstract: Amino acid transport and protein synthesis are important steps of tumor growth. We investigated the time course of tumor metabolism in low-grade gliomas (LGG) during temozolomide chemotherapy, and compared metabolic responses as measured with positron emission tomography (PET) with volume responses as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MR). A homogeneous population of 11 patients with progressive non-enhancing LGG was prospectively studied. Imaging was done at 6-months intervals starting six months, and in a second series starting three months after treatment initiation. F-18 fluoro-ethyl-L-tyrosine (FET) uptake was quantified with PET as metabolically active tumor volume, and was compared with the tumor volume on MR. Response was defined as >or=10% reduction of the initial tumor volume. Eight patients showed metabolic responses. Already 3 months after start of chemotherapy the active FET volumes decreased in 2 patients to a mean of 44% from baseline. First MR volume responses were noted at 6 months. Responders showed a volume reduction to 31 +/- 23% (mean +/- SD) from baseline for FET, and to 73 +/- 26% for MR. The time to maximal volume reduction was 8.0 +/- 4.4 months for FET, and 15.0 +/- 3.0 months for MR. The initial metabolic response correlated with the best volume response on MR (Spearman Rank P = 0.011). Deactivation of amino acid transport represents an early indicator of chemotherapy response in LGG. Response assessment based on MR only has to be reconsidered. The time window obtained from PET may assist for individual treatment decisions in LGG patients.
authors.affiliation: PET Center, Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wyss
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University Hospital, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cantonal Hospital, 5001, Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruehlmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital, 5001, Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hefti
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital, 5001, Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Catrina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uhlmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital, 5001, Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bärtschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cantonal Hospital, 5001, Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ulrich Wolf
authors.initials: UW
authors.lastname: Buettner
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cantonal Hospital, 5001, Aarau, Switzerland. roelcke@ksa.ch.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Roelcke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005910:Glioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000077204:Temozolomide; D013997:Time Factors; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; C117289:O-(2-fluoroethyl)tyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide