First use of 18F‐labeled ML‐10 PET to assess apoptosis change in a newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme patient before and early after therapy. Issue 2 (12th February 2014) - Oborski, Matthew J.
Abstract Objectives The authors present the first use of the novel positron emission tomography (PET) apoptosis tracer 18F‐labeled 2‐(5‐fluoro‐pentyl)‐2‐methyl‐malonic acid (18F‐ML‐10) for early‐therapy response assessment of a newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patient. Case report A 71‐year‐old male with a newly diagnosed GBM received 18F‐ML‐10 PET scans prior to therapy initiation (baseline) and after completing 3 weeks of whole‐brain radiation therapy with concomitant temozolomide chemotherapy (early‐therapy assessment, ETA). The baseline 18F‐ML‐10 PET scan showed increased tracer uptake at the site of the GBM, with highest activity toward the central portion of the tumor. At the ETA time point, a new distribution of tracer uptake was observed compared to baseline. Normalized pixel‐by‐pixel subtraction of baseline from ETA was used to quantify change in tracer distribution between 18F‐ML‐10 PET imaging time points. Results of this analysis showed reduction in 18F‐ML‐10 uptake at the site of greatest baseline uptake, but increased uptake around the periphery of the tumor at the early‐therapy time point. Conclusion The changing patterns of 18F‐ML‐10 uptake between baseline and ETA are suggestive for therapy‐induced tumor cellular apoptosis.