18F‐fluorodeoxythymidine micro–positron‐emission tomography versus 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose micro–positron‐emission tomography for in vivo minimal residual disease imaging12. (27th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ekshyyan, Oleksandr; Sibley, Don; Caldito, Gloria C.; Sunderland, John; Vascoe, Chris; Nathan, Cherie‐Ann O.
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope. Volume 123:Number 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2012-09-27
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51005
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.23600
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-852X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1-1" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives/Hypothesis:</title> <p>The early detection of persistent/recurrent disease of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after treatment can be challenging. The currently used radioisotope <sup>18</sup>F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a nonspecific tracer for cancer cells as it detects all metabolically active cells including inflammation. <sup>18</sup>F‐fluorodeoxythymidine (FLT) is a radioactive tracer for rapidly proliferating cells, and therefore is more specific for detecting cancer. Our aim was to compare FLT and FDG microPET (positron‐emission tomography) to the gold standard in vivo bioluminescence imaging for serial assessment of neoplastic growth in a minimal residual disease in vivo model.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-2" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design:</title> <p>Prospective outcomes research.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-3" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods:</title> <p>In order to mimic the postsurgical environment of HNSCC patients FaDu cells transfected with a luciferase‐expressing retrovirus were inoculated into the skin flap of Balb/c nu/nu mice. Three days later before tumors formed, mice were randomized into <sup>18</sup>F‐FLT or <sup>18</sup>F‐FDG groups, and microPET imaging was performed on days 3, 6, 10, 18, and 24 after tumor cell inoculation.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-4" sec-type="section"> <title>Results:</title> <p> <sup>18</sup>F‐FLT detected tumors as early as day 3 even before tumors were palpable, whereas <sup>18</sup>F‐FDG only detected palpable tumors. The average overall normalized radioactivity in the FLT group was significantly higher than the FDG group (<italic>P</italic> = .025).</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-5" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p> <sup>18</sup>F‐FLT identified tumor cells before tumors were palpable and can potentially be used for early detection of persistence/recurrence of HNSCC. In addition, this radioisotope can be used to monitor adjuvant therapy with novel targeted therapeutics in preclinical models of persistent disease. Laryngoscope, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>